PlayStation Australia has released new research uncovering how modern Australian parents keep the whole family entertained with the wide choice of streaming services and devices.

The study has found that almost three quarters (74 per cent) of parents get their entertainment fix through streamed movie and TV content. On average, streaming households watch over two hours a day, equating to 15 hours a week, translating to over one month dedicated to streaming a year. Hours fly by due to binge-worthy viewing like Stranger Things or old favourites such as Seinfield, resulting in over half of Australian families (57 per cent) streaming more content now than they did a year ago.

Australian parents also prefer to stay in and catch the latest entertainment at home, with over half of parents in streaming households (52 per cent) admitting they prefer to stay home and watch their favourite shows rather than head out for an evening or catch up with friends.

The research by PlayStation Australia reveals streaming home entertainment is helping Australian families spend time together, with one in five parents (21 per cent) typically watching their favourite streamed TV shows together as a family. Almost one in five (17 per cent) Australian families streaming entertainment use a PlayStation to watch catch up and stream video on demand (SVOD) services.

That said, due to PlayStation’s strong heritage in the video games category, the study also revealed almost 69 per cent of Australian parents are unaware of the potential of PlayStation 4 and its advantages of allowing users to stream TV and movies, listen to Spotify on PlayStation Music, as well as purchase and rent new release movies and TV shows.

Putting PlayStation 4 to its toughest test yet

PlayStation Australia recruited the nation’s largest family of 18, The Bonells, to find out how they keep their family happily entertained using just one device.

Jen Bonell, mother of 16, admits, “Before we had a PS4 I didn’t know you could use it to stream so much entertainment, so it has definitely helped us keep everybody entertained in our big brood. We love streaming movies and TV shows together, whilst some of our older kids like to take time out for gaming.”

Husband and father Ray Bonell added, “After a long day, sometimes there is nothing better than all of us squeezing on the couch and enjoying a documentary or TV series together. With a lot of kids in the house, the remote control is definitely a prized possession. With so much to choose from on PS4, it’s not hard to keep all our kids happily entertained.”

Ownership over the TV remote control

The ownership rights has always been a contentious topic and the study unveils that it is in fact Aussie Dads who control the remote (46 per cent) followed by Mums (32 per cent) and kids (19 per cent).

With that said, Aussie parents confirm it is the kids who stream the most at home (49 per cent) compared to their parents, with dads taking second place (26 per cent) and mums streaming TV the least (21 per cent) in the household.

Michael Ephraim, Managing Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, said, “With the best games, PlayStation VR, listening to the latest music on Spotify or catching up on your favourite shows on the likes of ABC iView, Netflix, Stan, or Foxtel Play, PlayStation 4 hosts the best entertainment services so absolutely everybody in the family can be entertained, especially over the holiday period.”