At the end of 2017,Australian viewers aged 18-24 became the first demographic to officially watch more video on their devices each month than on a television screen.

At the end of 2017,Australian viewers aged 18-24 became the first demographic to officially watch more video on their devices each month than on a television screen.Credit:Rebecca Hallas

These viewers haven't simply switched to watching traditional television on a different screen,with industry figures indicating that Australians watch almost as much on Netflix as we do on the five major free-to-air Catch Up services combined. You can be sure the balance tips in Netflix's favour amongst these younger viewers.

Meanwhile 25-to-34 year-olds appear to be destined to cross the same threshold in the next few years,as their broadcast viewing hours continue to fall.

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When you dive into the figures it looks quite likely that Australian teenagers have already crossed this threshold of favouring personal devices,even though the report only keeps track of their viewing on televisions.

Teenagers are leading the charge as the amount of television Australians watch continues to fall. Teen television watching habits plunging almost 25 per cent in 12 months,and youngsters are clearly not regaining a taste for broadcast television once they come of age.

With the amount of viewing options increasing,we are viewing less content on our televisions.

With the amount of viewing options increasing,we are viewing less content on our televisions.

Australia's latest viewing figures come as the number of screens we own continues to rise,reaching an average of 6.6 per home. This is despite the ongoing decline in the size of the average Australian household,down to 2.56 people per home at the end of 2017.

Tablet and smartphone ownership rates are starting to plateau at around 50 and 85 per cent respectively as they reach market saturation. Meanwhile the average number of televisions per Australian household has slumped to 1.8,meaning you can no longer assume that your typical home has a second television in the rumpus room or bedroom. There's more likely to be a tablet on the coffee table.

Television ownership figures have been sliding since they peaked at 2.4 back in 2010. At the time this figure was expected to keep growing past three televisions per home,but then Apple's first iPad hit Australians shores and television ownership figures have been in decline ever since.

Having grown up with smartphones and tablets,millennials are a demographic time bomb ticking in Australia's television viewing figures – with little indication that they'll flock back to traditional television once they hit middle age.

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