One in ten online consumers watch tv online, according to the latest Consumer Internet Barometer. The Barometer looks at 10,000 households in the US and is produced by TNS. The study reports that personal convenience and avoiding commercials are the top reasons for watching TV broadcasts online.

Edye Twer, TNS Senior Vice President, tells us:

“this is representative of a larger trend toward, ‘anytime, anywhere’ viewing that includes the use of digital video recorders, video on demand and portable video players, such as the iPod.”

Online viewers are watching news more often than other types of programming, with more than 62 percent logging on for news content. Unsurprisingly, people are watching stuff that is free. The survey reports that very few are willing to pay per download or sign up to subscription services.