Writers’ strike is sending viewers to the Internet

    When the strike is over, many viewers might not return to television.
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    A new survey has found that the writers’ strike, which began in November, is now taking a serious toll on TV viewing behavior. Almost half of those surveyed in the poll said they were spending more time online as a result of the repeat programming they have encountered because of the strike.

    More than 60 percent of viewers said their favorite shows were now in repeat mode, according to Mindshare, a research media company. When the strike is over, 28 percent said they might not or definitely would not return to television.

    While going online topped the list of alternative activities to watching their favorite TV shows, reading and watching prerecorded DVDs tied as the second-most-cited alternative to watching strike-affected programming.

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