French Internet users legally consume more and more cultural goods online. Three-quarters of them (73%) say they access it through “exclusively lawful uses” (compared to 62% of all Internet users). the “respect for copyright” overcomes their motivation, ahead of “Security in payments and absence of viruses”.
“An Increase in Willingness to Pay” is one “reduction of illicit consumption”which the Authority for audiovisual and digital communications accepts in its latest Barometer of dematerialized cultural heritage (1), made public on Friday 16 December 2022.
Twelve cultural assets now measured
Over the past twelve months, 86% of Internet users over the age of 15, i.e. 45 million French people, have consumed at least one of the twelve online cultural goods now measured in this Barometer established in 2011. Documentaries, podcasts and shows live were added to the list this year, following print and sports broadcasts in 2019.
In 2022, films (54%, +2 points), music (50%, +1) and television series (49%, +1) remain at the top of the ranking of the most viewed or listened to dematerialized cultural heritage, ahead of photography ( 41%, +3), video games (37%, +3), press (32%, –1), documentaries (29%), sports broadcasts (18%, –1) or podcasts (17%), the le performing arts (7%) are far behind.
Less hacking
Good news for cultural operators: the share of “illegal uses” among Internet users it has decreased significantly, from 27 to 24% in one year. “A positive signal for the legal offer” that Arcom attributes to “development of legal offers”but also to “new measures to fight piracy” : blocking of mirror sites offering cultural content, blocking of illegal sports broadcasting sites, lawsuits initiated by rights holders, etc.
“The profile of the hacker is rather a young CSP+. Price is probably not the main determination of him. Above all, he is very aware of new hacking techniques., observed Laurence Pecaut-Rivolier, a member of the College of Arcom, during a press conference. He was also glad that it was there “less illicit use among new entrants”.
Generalization of the subscription
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Internet users now have access to at least one paid subscription, either within their household (63%) or via someone’s external codes. “Account sharing seems to be a mass phenomenon”detects Arcom, which suggests to remedy “rate offers that offer access to a greater number of people for the same subscription”.
After holding steady in 2020 and 2021, the share of Internet users who paid to access cultural content online increased from 57% to 60%. In detail, they take their credit card more for movies (62%), series (60%) and books (57%) than for podcasts (27%) or print (24%).
Average basket on the rise… but ecological concern
Due to the increase in consumers paying for cultural goods online, the average basket of French Internet users has increased by 2 euros to 21 euros per month. That of consumers accustomed to paying online remained stable at 32 euros per month.
When asked about environmental issues, 46% of internet users (and up to 54% of 15-24 year olds) think their online cultural practices have an impact” loud » (30%) or « very strong (16%) on their carbon footprint, in particular. And 74% of those who have this awareness say they are ready to do it “reducing their practices”.
