Gen Z viewers aren’t watching TV, but their video-watching habits are very TV-like

One way to peek at the future of TV is to look at what today’s teens and twentysomethings are — and are not — watching. And one place to survey that landscape is VidCon, the annual Comic-Con-like event for the digital video industry.

There are seemingly more options than ever for video audiences — as covered in the video below, featuring interviews with more than two dozen VidCon attendees — but Gen Z viewers’ attentions seem to have consolidated to three primary platforms: YouTube, TikTok and Twitch. By contrast, this audience isn’t really tuning into traditional TV and some aren’t even watching streaming services like Netflix.

What’s funny about these viewers not really watching traditional TV or even traditional streaming services is the way they watch platforms like YouTube, Twitch and even TikTok is often pretty similar to how previous generations watched traditional TV: something to play in the background while doing other tasks.

More in Future of TV

Future of TV Briefing: WTF is the DASH TV universe study at the center of the latest Nielsen drama?

This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at what is the TV universe study at the center of the recent drama surrounding Nielsen’s The Gauge TV viewership report.

Future of TV Briefing: How Netflix is shaking up the upfront deal model

This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at Netflix’s single- and multi-year deals with advertisers that extend beyond the scope of traditional upfront commitments.

Future of TV Briefing: OpenX adds attention targeting for CTV ads backed by TVision

This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at a new ad targeting option for CTV advertisers wary of people staring at their phones while an ad airs.