90% of Consumers GCC have Live streamed video in comparison to a global average of 67%.  In fact, the GCC has one of the highest daily viewership of video streaming at 77% of people watching video content daily v 70% global average according to new research released by the IAB GCC as part of ‘Live Video Streaming: A Global Perspective,” an in-depth report released today by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

Globally 52 percent of those that regularly livestream video prefer free, ad supported live streaming over subscription and a la carte services, according to the study which surveyed consumers from 21 countries around the world including the UAE and KSA. Smartphones are the most popular device to live stream video content, followed by smart TVs. Sixty-four percent of those that have streamed live video have engaged with an ad—such as pre-roll or sponsored ads—while live streaming. Viewers in KSA and the UAE are among the most likely to engage with ads. The most common actions taken in response to seeing an ad during a live streaming session were remembering the brand that was advertised, clicking on the ad, and visiting the brands’ website. Ads within live streaming content were most frequently seen on social media platforms, gaming websites, and apps.

With the FIFA World Cup kicking off tomorrow, the study looked at live streaming intentions among those who want to watch. Overall, 65 percent of those who have live streamed video previously expect to live stream the matches predominantly on smartphones, versus 71 percent who anticipate watching live on linear TV. Slightly more than half plan to watch recorded games either online or on television. Sports fans in Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are among those countries which have the strongest likelihood to live stream the matches.

Methodology 

A 29-question survey was designed and fielded by OnDevice Research in 21 markets (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) from April 20, 2018 to May 8, 2018. All respondents were asked the same questions such as frequency of live streaming across devices, time they spent live streaming, what locations they were in when doing so. They were also asked about their motivations to live stream and their advertising encounters within the live streaming environment. Two hundred adults, age 18+, were interviewed for each market. Respondents confirmed that they watch digital video on a PC/laptop, smartphone, tablet, or connected TV and have watched live streaming on any device or platform.

This IAB research was conducted with the support of IAB Australia, IAB Australia, IAB Brazil, IAB Canada, IAB Chile, IAB China, IAB Colombia, IAB Germany, IAB GCC, IAB Hungary, IAB Ireland, IAB Italy, IAB Mexico, IAB Peru, IAB Russia, IAB South Africa, IAB Sweden, IAB Switzerland, IAB Turkey, and IAB UK.