In the archive Television audiences Average daily television viewing of people in various age groups, metropolitan markets, total television, 1991, 1995, 1997–2004 Television is the primary source of news, information and entertainment for most Australians and consequently its daily usage is high – second only to radio. In 2004, the average Australian in a metropolitan market watched about 3 hours and 7 minutes of television each day of the week. Adults over the age of 55 are the heaviest users, averaging 4 hours and 17 minutes of viewing per day in metropolitan markets, while young adults, teens and children are the lightest users, averaging under 2.5 hours per day. In 2004, television viewing fell among most age groups, increased slightly for 18–24 and stayed the same for 55+. Generally, people under 40 are watching less TV now than they were in 1991, and people over 40 are watching around the same as they were in 1991. Children 5–12 Teens 13–17 People 18–24 People 25–39 People 40–54 People 55+ All people 1991 2 hr 39 min 2 hr 44 min 2 hr 46 min 3 hr 11 min 3 hr 2 min 4 hr 21 min 3 hr 13 min 1994 2 hr 39 min 2 hr 43 min 2 hr 33 min 3 hr 07 min 3 hr 10 min 4 hr 22 min 3 hr 12 min 1995 2 hr 34 min 2 hr 29 min 2 hr 20 min 3 hr 4 min 3 hr 15 min 4 hr 19 min 3 hr 10 min 1997 2 hr 31 min 2 hr 40 min 2 hr 23 min 3 hr 4 min 3 hr 20 min 4 hr 24 min 3 hr 13 min 1998 2 hr 30 min 2 hr 40 min 2 hr 27 min 3 hr 11 min 3 hr 17 min 4 hr 23 min 3 hr 14 min 1999 2 hr 28 min 2 hr 34 min 2 hr 22 min 3 hr 12 min 3 hr 13 min 4 hr 15 min 3 hr 11 min 2000 2 hr 26 min 2 hr 39 min 2 hr 15 min 3 hr 15 min 3 hr 18 min 4 hr 18 min 3 hr 13 min 2001 2 hr 38 min 2 hr 42 min 2 hr 32 min 3 hr 15 min 3 hr 28 min 4 hr 16 min 3 hr 18 min 2002 2 hr 38 min 2 hr 26 min 2 hr 23 min 3 hr 13 min 3 hr 31 min 4 hr 14 min 3 hr 17 min 2003 2 hr 16 min 2 hr 20 min 2 hr 4 min 3 hr 7 min 3 hr 27 min 4 hr 17 min 3 hr 11 min 2004 2 hr 6 min 2 hr 15 min 2 h 6 min 3 hr 0 min 3 hr 22 min 4 hr 17 min 3 hr 7 min Source: ACNielsen, Australian TV Trends 2001 (1991 to 2000) and OzTAM (from 2001). Notes: Based on averages of the five mainland capital cities; all households, whether subscription TV or not. Any comparison of data before and after January 2001 should take into account that a different audience measurement system has applied since that date.