Device use for personal media consumption in Germany 2020-2021

German consumers use a variety of devices to access media. The choice they make may be influenced by such factors as personal media preference, mobility and flexibility. Based on a survey conducted among the German population, respondents used some type of TV, a smartphone or listened to the radio the most.

Multiple devices

Nowadays it’s fairly typical for households to own more than one digital device for media consumption within the home. In households with more than one member each person may also have different preferences in terms of devices used. The majority of German households owned a television, closely followed by smartphones and radio. Laptop and tablet ownership numbers were on the rise. Owing to the easier use and portability of mobile devices, it’s not uncommon for consumers to absorb different content simultaneously, for example watch TV and use the Internet. As of 2020, 90 percent of respondents stated they regularly used their smartphone to go online while watching television. It’s multitasking on a new level.

Connected nation

Households with adolescents own a variety of devices, considering teenagers’ predictable interest in all things digital. Among these devices, the leading ones are smartphones, a computer or laptop and a television. Internet access is also crucial. The average number of connected devices used per person in Germany has only been growing in recent years.