The Ypulse Report — Entertainment
Thursday, September 29th, 2011
Millennials rarely take a break from media now that it is just as mobile as they are. Music is Millennials’ favorite medium; they spend more time with it in a typical week than with any other. They’re turning music discovery into an art form, picking up on tracks played during TV shows, noting mentions on Facebook, and finding artists via Pandora and Spotify. While some download music illegally, most happily pay for music to support the artists they care about.
Millennials watch an extraordinary number of movies now that they are so readily available via streaming and make a rapid transition from big screen to small screen. 3D movies are reeling in audiences and breaking box office records, but few students say a film’s availability in 3D affects their interest in seeing it.
The TV industry may be poised for a shakeup, thanks to Millennials. College students are spending more time watching cheaper Internet-based alternatives to cable (like Hulu and Netflix). Unlike music, most Millennials say they could live without TV, and some are doing just that by cutting the cable cord, or at least cutting premium cable channels and getting by with basic service. When they do tune in to TV, they prefer ABC Family, Comedy Central, and MTV — each of which has a strong presence on social media and enables them to connect with friends while watching their favorite shows.
In this edition of the Ypulse Report, we offer an in-depth look at music trends and movie consumption among teens and college students, as well as insight towards the social causes that resonate most with this generation. Along with a detailed analysis of the genres and artists most popular today, we examine the role technology has played in developing a digital ecosystem and bridging the intergenerational. Additionally, the report explores the influence that social responsibility has over brand preferences, purchase decisions and personal action. We found in spite of both age groups holding strong convictions and high corporate standards, there was a considerable amount of inactivity among teens and college students. It begs the question of whether these demos need more outlets, more direction or both? 