Broadband has transformed video viewing habits in Western Europe, where over 20% of broadband households have watched a film or TV program online in the past six months, according to international research firm Parks Associates. A new white paper, The Impact of Online Video in Europe, addresses these changes in viewing habits, a key area of focus at the upcoming CONNECTIONS Europe Summit, hosted by Parks Associates.

European consumers are adopting online viewing habits with some reluctance, however. The white paper reports that for all the countries surveyed, the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, over 80% of broadband households prefer a more traditional option for viewing video, including going to the cinema or watching a DVD. Many consumers are watching video online only because of the availability of free content, both legitimate and illegitimate.

"It will be difficult for companies to sell video streams and downloads to consumers in Europe when there is this undercurrent of reluctance," said John Barrett, director, research, Parks Associates. "Even if all piracy issues are resolved, the realities of consumer preferences could still undermine the service plans of content providers, if they don't understand their customers."

CONNECTIONS Europe Summit, a one-day event held March 31 in Nice, France, focuses on new strategies for service and technology providers, media companies, and manufacturers in creating new entertainment and communications solutions.

Event sponsors include Affinegy, Enure Networks, and HomeGrid Forum. Global Sponsors include ActiveVideo Networks, Affinegy, Cloakware, DSC, HD-PLC Alliance, Icron, Macrovision, the Multimedia over Coax Alliance, ProVision Communications, Radialpoint, Telcordia, and Zilog.