British adults may be spending more time online in their free time than they ever have before. With access to a wider range of entertainment options available than ever before, more people in the UK are increasingly choosing to stream music, play online games and view video content.
A changing landscape for digital entertainment
Digital entertainment in the UK was growing in almost every category last year, according to new figures. Streaming platforms and gaming services continue to dominate leisure time for British adults, though choosing an online casino for UK players remains a distinct decision shaped by licensing requirements, responsible gambling tools, and payment options that differ significantly from other entertainment categories. New data published by the UK Gambling Commission has revealed continued growth in online gambling participation. For those that gamble with the intention of having fun, understanding the current regulatory landscape will be an important consideration when weighing up their options.
New research reveals that the increasing popularity of gaming on-demand video and social media-driven services has dramatically altered the British public’s evening and weekend routines. But in a world where everything is now available at the touch of a button, the value of paid-for services comes into question when convenience and a tailored offering are the baseline expectation.
Music streaming holds a dominant position
New figures out this week from the BPI provide the latest insight into the trends in music streaming in the UK. Audio streaming is one of the biggest forms of digital entertainment in the country, with over 178 billion streams in the UK in 2023 – up year-on-year and firmly showing that the trend of digital music consumption continues to climb.
The shift from buying individual download tracks to subscribing to streaming services has in many cases stabilised the recorded music market and it may be here to stay. But the growth of music subscription services has also inspired people to explore new forms of live and recorded, spoken word audio content – and now these are being seamlessly incorporated into existing music streaming apps.
Broadcasting and news in a digital-first era
As the way people consume online media is changing, work at the BBC online media development team focuses on ensuring that audiences who do not tune in to live broadcasts can still access available content. Much of this is now driven by the BBC’s own catch-up services, as well as those that third parties offer through the BBC iPlayer. Research conducted by the team suggests that the bulk of this viewing is done by 16-34 year olds.
A new report published by the Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford as part of UK research into the news habits of over 32,000 UK adults finds that for the first time more UK adults report getting their news primarily through social media rather than from the websites of news publishers. This shift builds on changes seen since 2020.
What the data tells us about UK online habits
Industry data suggests consumers are spread far and wide, distributing their viewing attention across streaming services, games, traditional TV, and social media rather than focusing on a particular niche. This fragmentation may be mirrored by an increase in complexity within the regulated entertainment market as the industry continues to evolve to meet the various needs of UK consumers.
