TV, Internet use varies among cultural groups, says study

Television and personal computer ownership and usage varies significantly across cultural groups, according to new findings from Knowledge Networks. According to the just-released “Spring 2005 Ownership & Trend Report” from The Home Technology Monitor, African American households have more TVs and larger sets, compared to Hispanics and whites. In addition, the medium plays a more important social role for both African American and Hispanic households.

The data also show contrasts in personal computer ownership: White households own more PCs and pay more for high-speed Internet connectivity.

Among the findings:

  • 62 percent of African American households have more than two TVs, as compared to nearly 51 percent among whites and 44 percent among Hispanics;
  • 49 percent of African American homes have large (30in or bigger) TV sets, versus 44 percent for whites and 41 percent for Hispanics;
  • 57 percent of Hispanic respondents and African American respondents agreed that watching television was the household's favorite way to relax, while 53 percent of white respondents agreed;
  • 45 percent of African American respondents and 50 percent of Hispanic households said that “much” of their family time is spent with TV versus 29 percent of white households;
  • 70 percent of the polled white homes had a home computer, as compared to 55 percent for African Americans and 47 percent for Hispanics;
  • 30 percent of white homes have broadband Internet connectivity;
  • 19 percent of African American households have broadband Internet connectivity;
  • 16 percent for Hispanics households have broadband Internet connectivity.

For more information, visit www.knowledgenetworks.com.

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