Study: 80% of Users Ditch a Stream if it Rebuffers
Study: 80% of Users Ditch a Stream if it Rebuffers
Posted 12/11/2009 at 11:12am
| by Paul Lilly
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Here's a scary statistic for video streaming services: 4 out of 5 viewers will click in the other direction if a video stream rebuffers, according to a new study by Tubemogul.
Before dismissing that figure, content providers should be aware that Tubemogul didn't just gather up a small group of caffeinated teens and feed them a poor internet connection. Instead, the Emeryville-based video distribution and analytics startup analyzed 192 million video streams over a two week period with the goal of figuring out how much rebuffering really matters.
The research was based on both short-form content and longer clips, like TV shows and movies. But what the research team didn't divulge is whether or not the destination played a part in the decision to click away, or if users spending time on Hulu or YouTube were more apt to be forgiving of a rebuffer.
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JohnP
December 12, 2009 at 10:23am
I usually either drop the damn thing or if the stream can still load, pause it and come back to the video (maybe). I definitely fit this category.
rseding91
December 11, 2009 at 6:41pm
If I KNOW I can get the video someplace else at a non-slow speed I will leave when a video goes to buffer. My internet speed is fast enough to not need to buffer if the video site i'm watching a video on is not slow.
So when it goes to buffer chances are if there is another website with the same video I will leave.
cynical
December 11, 2009 at 1:25pm
that would explain why RealNetworks isn't much of a player in online video anymore.
DOOMHAMMA
December 11, 2009 at 1:16pm
I'll stick it out and wait for it to buffer....repeatedly sometimes. Not an issue usually for me, but when at a friends house with slow internet, it happens :p
krisbowls
December 11, 2009 at 1:07pm
I pay for netflix, so when it buffers I'm especially annoyed. I'll give it once if doesn't look like it'll take a long time, but after once or maybe two if they're really short, I'm gone.
zeringue
December 11, 2009 at 12:35pm
usually once during a longer program, i will suffer with it, but after that i move on, its not like i dont have enough bandwidth. The provider does not, why should i watch the commericals if the provide can not ensure enough bandwidth.
NeoTifa
December 11, 2009 at 11:39am
I never really have that problem that often, but when I do I just pause it and click on another tab until I think it's done and finish watching. Not that big a deal really.
popstop785
December 11, 2009 at 11:37am
I let Hulu rebuffer... but youtube and other short video clips.. nope. I give up if it looks like it is going ot take a long time. :\
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