While watching a sporting event, some viewers send text messages about the game to their friends via their mobile phone or tablet. How many people do this a lot and who are they?
Overall, of all respondents in the Center’s study of sports fan behavior and media use, each of whom follows at least one sport in season, 16% said that they often text friends about a game while watching it, and another 34% said that they do so sometimes.
Three key characteristics that are associated with engaging in this behavior often are age, race/ethnicity, and the type of fan one is.
Older people are less likely to engage in this texting activity. Just 5% of those aged 55-64, 9% of those in the 65-74 year old category, and 17% of 35-54 year olds said that they partake of this behavior often. This compares with 21% of 18-24 year olds, 24% of those aged 25-34, and 28% of those under age 18.
In regard to race/ethnicity, Asians are most likely to say that they often text friends about a game while watching it. Thirty-two percent of Asians, 25% of African-Americans, and 21% of Latinos said that they often send this kind of text. Only 14% of whites said the same.
Not surprisingly, the type of fan one is also relates to the activity. Seven percent of casual fans, 16% of moderate fans, and 32% of intense fans said that they often send text messages on the mobile phone or tablet to their friends about a game while watching it.
__________
See all Web Insights.
January 7, 2019