Americans Are Still "Couch Potatoes"

Despite the excitement generated from new media platforms, the United States is still mostly a nation of couch potatoes who spend a vast majority of their leisure time in front of the boob tube, according to the latest update to the "Entertainment Trends in America" consumer tracking surveys conducted by The NPD Group.

Some 81% of respondents reporting watching an average of 10 hours of TV per week (not including movies) and, according to a company press release, other findings included:

• Despite the proliferation of iPods and other MP3 players, 78% of Americans still spend 5+ hours/week listening to traditional AM/FM radio, with 60% still listening to music on a CD

• 70% of Americans spend 4 hours/week on average on IM and email

• Some 47% visited social networking sites, spending an average of 5 hours/week

• 11% of respondents reported tweeting an average of 3 hours/week

The survey reveals the Top 5 Leisure Time Activities in the U.S. (based on % of consumers who took part in prior week) are:

• Watch TV show/sports/news (excluding movies): 81%

• Listen to music on traditional AM/FM radio (not satellite): 78%

• Instant-messaging or e-mailing: 70%

• Listen to music on a CD: 60%

• Watch a movie on TV (excluding PPV and VOD): 58%

You'd have thought some form of exercise, even if it was getting into a car, might feature...