Exploration of Cultural Consumption Patterns in the United Kingdom: Insights Gleaned from a Half-Year Investigation

Streaming and Surveying COVID-19's Digital Culture Shock

The PEC, in partnership with the IPO, commissioned AudienceNet to conduct a weekly survey on the impact of digital cultural content consumption during the pandemic. This investigation ran for 6 weeks in April to May 2020, with an extension until September 2020.

Originally limited to the height of the lockdown (waves 1-6), the survey expanded over the following three months with additional waves (7-9) during local lockdowns in various areas.

Here's a list of the reports, sorted by date:

Digital Culture: Consumption in Lockdown (August 2020)
Wave 1 (2nd - 12th April)
Wave 2 (13th - 19th April)
Wave 3 (20th - 26th April)
Wave 4 (27th April - 3rd May)
Wave 5 (4th - 10th May)
Wave 6 (11th - 17th May)
Wave 7 (6th - 12th July)
Wave 8 (3rd - 9th August)
Wave 9 (14th- 20th September)

Key findings include:

Accelerated trends, such as the decline in downloading vs streaming.
People in local lockdown areas consumed more TV and movies.
The retail experience remains important, with an uptick in physical purchases of music and video games post-lockdown.
Lockdown's relaxation hadn't brought noticeable changes in reported well-being.
There was an increase in the number of people working from home and inside their homes.

For more insights on the transforming UK creative industries, check out the latest news headlines:

Highly skilled international talent fuels UK creative industries growth (June 2025)
Increasing inequality in arts and culture revealed (May 2025)
New Government-backed survey gives unprecedented insights on creative industries growth drivers (ongoing)
UK Government's growth ambitions threatened by widening creative industries skills gap (February 2025)
Invest at scale in place-based approaches to boost "Foreign Direct Investment" in the creative industries (November 2024)
With the right financial support, creative industries could fuel government's growth mission and reduce regional inequality (Ongoing)
Access to Finance: new research project launched (Ongoing)
Looming creative economy skills shortage Across the UK (July 2024)
New research provides comprehensive overview of UK audiences and workforce in arts, culture, and heritage (May 2024)
UK's creative industries are a successful export story (March 2024)
Creative PEC research fellows network introduced (Blog post, undated)
'One Creative North' plans finalised (Geography of the Creative Industries, undated)

These updates and research highlight the fluctuating landscape of the creative sector, from skills shortages and financing to regional development and internationalization. Whether you're an expert or just curious, stay tuned for more updates on these exciting and transformative times.

Stay connected with our research and expert insights from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC).

[1] Transformative Landscapes: The Rise of Digital Platforms and Viral Marketing, W. Thorn (2020). Available at: [Link]

The surge in digital cultural content consumption during the pandemic was investigated by AudienceNet, commissioned by the PEC and IPO.
The investigation, running for 6 weeks from April to May 2020, was extended until September.
Initially limited to the lockdown's peak (waves 1-6), the survey expanded over the subsequent three months with additional waves (7-9) during local lockdowns.
The first report, titled 'Digital Culture: Consumption in Lockdown', was published in August 2020.
Key findings include an accelerated trend of streaming over downloading.
People in local lockdown areas consumed more TV and movies.
The retail experience remains important, with a post-lockdown increase in physical purchases of music and video games.
Despite the lockdown's relaxation, reported well-being didn't significantly change.
More people were working from home, with an increase in working inside homes as well.
Highly skilled international talent is driving growth in the UK creative industries.
Inequality in arts and culture is rising, according to new research.
The government is investing in place-based approaches to boost foreign direct investment in the creative industries.
The government's growth ambitions are threatened by a widening creative industries skills gap.
Access to finance remains a crucial issue in the creative sector with a new research project launched.
A looming creative economy skills shortage is apparent across the UK.
New research provides a comprehensive overview of UK audiences and workforce in arts, culture, and heritage.
The UK's creative industries are a successful export story.
The Creative PEC research fellows network has been introduced.
'One Creative North' plans have been finalized in the Geography of the Creative Industries.
Digital platforms and viral marketing are rising in the transforming UK creative industries.
Skills shortages, financing, regional development, and internationalization are shaping the landscape of the creative sector.
Expert insights from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) are crucial for understanding these transformative times.
Research highlights the importance of financial support in fueling the growth of the creative industries.
Evidence shows a need for addressing regional inequality in the creative industries.
The arts, culture, and heritage sectors are facing increasing inequality.
Education and self-development are vital in addressing the skills gap in the creative industries.
Personal growth and career development are essential for success in the competitive creative industries.
Job-search and learning are key activities in the creative industries, requiring skills training.
Sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and racing, are part of the creative industries.
From streaming and surfing to policy-making and education, these are exciting and transformative times for the creative industries.

Exploration of Cultural Consumption Patterns in the United Kingdom: Insights Gleaned from a Half-Year Investigation