Select Page

 

Consumer Closeness in the

Age of Social Distancing

Week of April 26th: Sports & Entertainment

 

 

 

As some states open up, Americans are feeling more optimistic this week, while realities for others are much more stressful

%

Relaxed ?‍♀️

%

Optimistic ?

%

Bored ?

%

Stressed/Worried ?

%

Peaceful ?

 

In addition to watching TV, cleaning and cooking, people are spending time catching up with family and going for walks

Top activities to keep occupied have remained consistent 

  • Watching TV/movies ? 72% 72%
  • Cleaning ? 54% 54%
  • Cooking/baking ?‍? 48% 48%
  • Calling family/friends to catch up ? 47% 47%
  • Going out for walks/runs ?‍♂️ 43% 43%
  • Sleeping ? 42% 42%
  • Spending time with family at home ?‍?‍?‍? 41% 41%
  • Reading ? 39% 39%
  • Home organization ? 37% 37%
  • Indoor exercise ? 31% 31%
  • Working from home ? 27% 27%

Other: Home repair/renovation(17%), Watching sports(4%), Playing sports(4%)

Entertainment has proven to be an important source of stress relief or distraction, as well as a way to keep people occupied as they stay indoors

TV Shows / Movies

Over 1/3 are gravitating towards certain genres of entertainment during this time

%

are seeking out certain genres of movies/TV shows more

Most are choosing cheerful content

“Comedy because it’s a light distraction from the bad news heard & experienced everyday.”

“I have been seeking out light hearted viewing mostly to help raise my mood and distract me from my worries.”

(Click to scroll)

Turning to action is enlivening and motivational

“Just looking for more superhero and action movies like X-Men. We need some inspiration.”

“I’ve been watching more action/medical series lately, like 9-1-1 and Code Black.”

 

 

 

 

While some gravitate towards 'end of the world' content

“Lately we’ve been watching end of the world and pandemic world by disease movies.”

“I’ve also been watching a lot of shows like atypical and end of the world.”

 

 

 

 

Then there are also some for whom genre is not a consideration

“Longer series on streaming services that give us something to watch every night.”

“I’ve been looking for shows with LOTS of episodes.”

Sports

Many are missing their usual entertainment with sports having halted – however, some are choosing to fill this void with e-sports

Football takes the lead for favorite sports

  • American Football ? 39% 39%
  • Basketball ? 24% 24%
  • Hockey ? 16% 16%
  • NASCAR racing ? 12% 12%
  • Formula 1 racing ? 6% 6%
  • Horse racing ? 6% 6%

%

have watched video games/e-sport events

They tuned into…

  • Madden 20 tournament with NFL stars 37% 37%
  • NBA 2K20 Player Tournament with NBA stars 33% 33%
  • eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series 26% 26%
  • Virtual Grand National horse race 14% 14%
  • iRacing Supercars online with real Supercar racers 12% 12%
  • F1 2019 virtual races with real Formula 1 drivers 7% 7%
  • Finnish Hockey League (Liiga) playoffs in NHL 20 5% 5%

Music

Streaming is up, with close to half using music and radio streaming services more often

%

are using music/radio streaming services MORE

Top 5 services used:

37% 

30%

28%

20%

19%

Other: SiriusXM(14%), Apple Music(11%),TuneIn(5%), Tidal(3%)

Brand Efforts

Though people appreciate how multiple brands have responded to the situation, they expect more

People notice and appreciate how essential stores are adapting

“I think the essential stores have really done a lot to make it as safe as possible for customers and employees. [Some have] also increased pay a little bit which I think is great.”

“Honestly, all grocery stores and stores in general. With one way aisles, high risk priority hour. It’s incredible.”

“Grocery stores around here have been awesome. They are wiping down carts all day and keeping people in line spaced out.

The automobile and insurance industries stand out with their efforts to provide support and relief

“The car industries are doing their best to ease their loyal customers by postponing payments and offering support…also helping with ventilators.

“I’ve heard a few car insurance companies promising their users some sort of refund or credit if they can provide proof of them staying home.”

“The companies that have taken action and resonated most with me are insurance companies, like Sate Farm and USAA, who are offering money back to their customers during this crisis.”

Restaurants of all sizes are doing their part by donating to the cause, while some are expanding their offers to reach a wider audience

“McDonald’s is giving away free meals to healthcare workers/first responders. It makes me respect them more…and I am a nurse so I really appreciate it!”

“Restaurants trying to promote takeout/delivery and assuring safety with contactless delivery.”

A local restaurant in our town is giving free meals on the weekends no questions asked. I think that this is great for those struggling right now.

On the other end, some companies and brands are falling flat

Companies that spend more money on advertising and posturing rather than donating money or supplies… they should repurpose that money and increase wages and give hazard pay to employees.

“I think car companies that are encouraging someone to buy a car right now are pretty insensitive.

Many companies have said they cared about their employees and customers, yet continued to have their workers come in to work under potentially dangerous conditions without doing much to make it safer for them or the customers. Many places have not even provided PPE.”

Thinking about the world post-COVID-19, a majority of Americans plan to prioritize self-care, but when it comes to outdoor exposure, opinions vary

In the ‘new normal’ people plan to focus more on themselves and want a break from watching the news

Top indoor activities Americans plan to do MORE of in the ‘new normal’

  • Take time for yourself/your self-care ?‍♂️ 47% 47%
  • Cook at home ?‍? 40% 40%
  • Use FaceTime/Video calls ? 29% 29%
  • Stream movies/TV (using streaming services) ? 28% 28%
  • DIY projects related to home organization/decor/renovation? 25% 25%

Top indoor activities Americans plan to do LESS of in the ‘new normal’

  • Watch/listen to/read the news ? 23% 23%
  • Play video game ? 18% 18%
  • Watch sports on TV ? 17% 17%
  • Use FaceTime/Video calls ? 15% 15%
  • Stream movies/TV (using streaming services) ? 14% 14%

Though most agree on avoiding travel and public transit in the ‘new normal’, people feel differently about attending large gatherings

People want to go out socially to local restaurants and movies but are skeptical about large gatherings like concerts, malls etc.

 Note: the nets reported here indicate the % of people who plan to do more or less of at least one of the category’s activities. Click on ‘Learn more’ to read about each of the individual activities.

%

plan to do MORE

Learn more ?

54% – Go out to local restaurants

32% – Go out to movies

30% – Go to large restaurants/chains

25% – Visit the mall/public shopping center

24% – Attend church

19% – Attend parades/festivals/fairs

18% – Attend concerts

12% – Attend live sporting events

10% – Go out to bars

 

NET: Public Outings

%

plan to do LESS

Learn more ?

24% – Visit the mall/public shopping center

24% – Attend live sporting events

22% – Attend parades/festivals/fairs

20% – Go to large restaurants/chains

20% – Go out to bars

18% – Attend concerts

16% – Go out to movies

7% – Attend church

7% – Go out to local restaurants

 

Most feel confident about going out for walks and runs

%

plan to do MORE

Learn more ?

45% – Go for walks/runs outside

18% – Go to the gym/a workout class

 

 

NET: Fitness

%

plan to do LESS

Learn more ?

11% – Go to the gym/a workout class

1% – Go for walks/runs outside

Some are eager to travel again but plan to avoid hotels / Airbnb

%

plan to do MORE

Learn more ?

22% – Take a flight

13% – Stay in hotels

5% – Use Airbnb/other home-sharing

 

 

NET: Travel

%

plan to do LESS

Learn more ?

22% – Take a flight

19% – Stay in hotels

19% – Use Airbnb/other home-sharing

 

 

Most are hesitant about using public transit and cab services in the post-COVID-19 world

%

plan to do MORE

Learn more ?

8% – Use public transit

3% – Use Uber/Lyft/Other ridesharing

 

 

NET: Transit

%

plan to do LESS

Learn more ?

27% – Use public transit

20% – Use Uber/Lyft/Other ridesharing

 

 

Looking back at this experience ten years from now, most feel that they will see it as a time of learning and coming together as a community

“For something so negative, it definitely brought a lot of positive things into our homes and made us realize what’s important and what is not.”

“We went through a big crisis, but together with our communities, we got through it.”

“We will never take for granted how global health concerns can affect our lives, our economy, our relationships. We learned from our errors.”

Catch up on past reports: Click here.

A word on our approach

This research is not just another COVID-19 survey. This study was conducted using immersive mobile messaging-based conversational exercises that capture robust quant data and emotive qual inputs in real-time from our mobile COVID-19 community members in one seamless experience. Take a look at the video to see a demo of how our technology works…

Fine Print:
Field dates 4/24-4/27, Base: n=425

Want to share this with your team?

 

Curious to know more?

Email marketing@reach3insights.com or
use the Contact button below.