Media usage in Germany - statistics & facts
The internet and technological developments have completely transformed the media landscape. Whilst more traditional forms of media such as radio, books and newspapers are still used at least occasionally in Germany, online media is now part of daily life for many people.
The convenience that streaming platforms have offered media consumers is something that was previously unprecedented. It is likely that in the future people will continue to turn online for various types of media due mainly to the larger choice and convenience, and that more traditional types of media such as radio and newspapers will have to adapt in order to survive.
Personal media use
Regarding daily media usage time, German media consumers spent an average of 203 minutes a day watching TV, 77 minutes listening to the radio and 51 minutes listening to music in 2023. For many people watching TV or listening to music is a way to relax after a day of working and the development of technology has made this easier than ever. Smartphones were ranked as the device most commonly used for personal media consumption in 2023. Apps such as Spotify and Netflix have meant that people can listen to music or even watch their TV show whilst on the go.Are podcasts replacing radio?
In 2023, around 32.3 million people listened to the radio daily. Streaming services such as Spotify and Amazon Music have increased the popularity of the podcast form. Currently almost double the number of people listen to podcasts then they did five years ago. Therefore, the question remains whether or not podcasts and streaming will ultimately replace radio. The convenience with which the user can pick and choose what they listen to could make streaming a preferable choice for many over radio.Internet vs. print media
The number of internet users in Germany has shown consistent growth and subsequent stable development. Meanwhile, with the rise of mobile device use, growth was also visible in the share of mobile internet users. This is increase is likely due to the fact that smartphones have more and more features and now for many people daily life without them is unimaginable. Developments in the digital media landscape in particular have influenced the existence of German print media. It is uncertain for how much longer this will continue as many people are getting used to consuming the news on their phone or in shorter form such as videos on social media. This is reflected in the circulation of daily newspapers figures which show a continuing trend of decrease.The convenience that streaming platforms have offered media consumers is something that was previously unprecedented. It is likely that in the future people will continue to turn online for various types of media due mainly to the larger choice and convenience, and that more traditional types of media such as radio and newspapers will have to adapt in order to survive.
