Mobile accounts for 20% of all video views

Mobile devices accounted for more than 20% of global video views, with this share set to more than double over the next five years, according to stats by ABI Research.

The research firm claims that pay TV services will continue to be the primary video entertainment solution for many consumers, but predicted that overall time spent watching online video will pass 21 hours per month by 2019, up from 12.7 hours in 2013.

Annual increases in online video viewing on smartphones and tablets is higher than any other category of device, including connected consumer electronics devices like games consoles or streaming dongles like Google’s Chromecast.

“Along with time of day, video content also plays a critical role in the type of devices consumers use to watch online video. Short form video, for instance, is quickly becoming the domain of mobile devices. For connected CE [consumer electronic devices] it’s less about failing to compete with mobile, than it is a reflection of consumers’ lifestyles and how it dictates which devices are used and when,” said ABI practice director, Sam Rosen.

ABI senior analyst Michael Inouye added: “As pay TV services continue to extend the reach of multiscreen services we expect more content, like live sporting events, to play an increasing role on mobile devices.”