If you find yourself totally immersed when watching a movie, but you simply use TV shows as background noise – you’re not alone.

Australians are changing their viewing habits with traditional prime-time slots a thing of the past, and people are turning to movies, not TV programs.

This is according to research by Amanda Lotz and Marion McCutcheon from the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Digital Media Research Centre and School of Communication.

The 6pm to 10.30pm time slots were traditionally prime time for commercial TV channels, but alternative screen times provided by the internet and multiple devices mean the concept of prime time has had its day.

“We are no longer bound to viewing schedules which means prime time is any time we choose, although a small percentage (13 per cent) of Australians report not using either social media or paid streaming services,” Dr Lotz said.

TV is background noise

The QUT researchers’ findings show viewers can have different degrees of focus, with some of the “abundant” hours of viewing resulting from TV sets and streaming services on “in the background”.

Despite the rising prevalence of watching movies at home, for now, more time is still spent watching television shows.

But movies command the most attention, with Australians reporting they pay “close attention” when playing a movie 63 per cent of the time.

Meanwhile, just over half of all scripted series attracts the close attention of viewers.

“The figures vary with age though,” Dr Lotz said.

“Older viewers are also more likely to pay close attention than younger viewers, who are much more likely to play shows in the background.”

Results defy predictions

Dr McCutcheon said assumptions persist that a “second screen” – such as a phone, tablet, or laptop being used in a room with a “living room screen” – was potentially responsible for much of the distraction that might be part of contemporary viewing.

But the research shows Australians are reluctant to put the blame on their mobile devices.

Only 14 per cent of survey respondents indicated they use other screen devices for a viewing-related activity “most of the time” or “often”.

“It turned out that ‘second screen’ use is not a major feature of Australian viewing, with a quarter of [survey respondents] stating they never use another device while viewing a movie or series,” Dr McCutcheon said.

“This is especially the case for older viewers.”

Family movie night looks different

Arguments over what to watch have existed as long as TVs have been in homes.

But these days, there are multiple ways to watch content.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the mean number of devices used to access the internet at home per household was 6.2 in 2016-17.

Almost 100 per cent of households with children under 15 used a mobile or smartphone to access the internet.

With so many ways to access screen media, the QUT researchers’ data shows “together time” doesn’t mean all watching the same screen.

“We found 13 per cent watch different devices in the same room ‘most of the time’ or ‘often,’ and 29 per cent do so ‘sometimes’,” Dr Lotz said.

“Movie viewing is the most social, with 43 per cent reporting they ‘always’ or ‘mainly’ view with others, and for many, at least part of viewing isn’t about a personal favourite but finding a title to share.

“Much of the pre-digital research about in-home viewing focused on family negotiation of the living room [TV] set. Now that many homes have more screens than people, it’s a whole new ball game.”