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Growing number watch TV while surfing Net in US
US consumers are increasingly likely to watch TV while surfing the Internet, according to findings from Knowledge Networks/SRI.
The Menlo Park, California-based company’s bi-annual survey found that during weekday evenings, simultaneous TV and Internet usage among consumers ages 35 to 49 has nearly doubled during the past six months, to 11 per cent.
For men between 18 and 34, simultaneous TV/Web use rose 3 percentage points to 13 per cent, after remaining at 10 per cent for the past 12 months. For women of the same age group, the figure is 8 per cent — unchanged for the past year.
Convergence also grew among teens, but more slowly. From 6 pm to 9 pm during the week, 13 per cent of consumers ages 12 to 17 were likely to be watching TV while surfing the Web. That’s up from 11 per cent six months ago, and 6 per cent a year earlier.
As a result of the findings, the media picture becomes even more complicated for media buyers, who increasingly struggle to juggle traditional and online media
“When you enter the land of convergence, you start to see involvement and attention being split, too,” said Ericka Witnauer, vice-president and managing director at KN/SRI. “When you’re multi-tasking, you’re not paying 100 per cent attention to either task. In terms of evaluating where to spend money, that whole process becomes more difficult.”
Nevertheless, the study is a vindication for supporters of cross-media campaigns. Since the dotcom downturn, that’s been the rallying cry of many online ad players, who are seeking a share of offline media budgets. In response to such efforts, companies like Unicast have unveiled tools that make it easier for offline creative to be reused online.
Additionally, in more good news for online ad sellers, Witnauer said that the company also had found that the Internet tends to hold its own relatively well in cases of joint TV/Web use.
“We’ve found that when it’s simultaneous usage, greater attention is being spent with the online medium,” she said.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
