Norwegian media barometer, 2008

The number of people reading printed newspapers on an average day has fallen in recent years. From 2007 to 2008, there has been a further decline, from 72 per cent in 2007 to 68 per cent in 2008. The decline took place particularly among the middle aged and older part of the population. On the other hand, Internet use is still growing. The percentage of the population who use the Internet on an average day increased from 66 to 71 per cent among persons aged 9-79 from 2007 to 2008. The increase was larger among adults than the young groups and larger among women than men.

Fewer TV viewers

The proportion of people watching television on an average day has declined somewhat in recent years. In 2008, the percentage was 80, compared to 82 in 2007. The proportion of radio listeners on an average day has changed insignificantly, from 53 per cent in 2007 to 54 per cent in 2008. However, as is the case for newspaper reading, there is also a general trend of fewer radio listeners. We watched television for 2 hours and 22 minutes per day in 2008, ten minutes less than the year before. We spent 1 hour and 20 minutes per day listening to the radio in 2008, the same as in 2007.

Increased use of sound files, less use of CD players

The use of sound systems was stable, with 43 per cent in 2007 and 42 per cent in 2008. A total of 44 per cent of those who used sound systems on an average day in 2008 listened to sound files on their computer in 2008, compared to 40 per cent in 2007. A total of 37 per cent used MP3 players in 2008. The proportion using CD players is declining.

The percentage of book readers on an average day was 17 in 1997. This has subsequently increased. In 2008, the figure was 23 per cent, the same as in 2007. The number of persons who read weeklies and cartoons on an average day has changed little from 2007 to 2008. The number reading magazines increased slightly.

Seven out of ten have Internet with broadband

While the access to VHS players in Norwegian households is slowly declining, there has been a considerable growth in the access to DVD players. From 2007 to 2008, this increased from 84 to 87 per cent. In addition, 26 per cent had access to a hard disc recorder in 2008. A total of 71 per cent had Internet with broadband connection in their household in 2007. In 2008, the percentage was 72. Eighteen per cent had DAB radio in 2008. A total of 72 per cent of the population had one or more newspaper subscriptions in their household in 2008, about the same as in 2007.

Read more in the Norwegian media barometer for 2008 .