Supernatural in the News
Research shows teenagers believe in supernatural events
January 23, 2006 / The Barna Group
(Ventura, CA) If the spiritual world is elusive and controversial, one certainty is the prevalence of the supernatural dimension in mass media. Supernatural beings, stories, and themes have invaded America’s entertainment choices – from movies to television programs to books and video games.
The nation’s most media-drenched consumers are well aware of these portrayals of the supernatural: more than four out five teenagers say they have witnessed supernatural themes in media during the last three months. This insight comes from a new report issued by The Barna Research Group that examines teens’ media exposure to the supernatural world, as well as a variety of other aspects of teens’ experiences and perceptions of the immaterial realm, including their participation in psychic and witchcraft activities, their beliefs, and their influencers.
The report, called Ministry to Mosaics: Teens and the Supernatural , is based upon three nationwide studies conducted among more than 4,000 teens by The Barna Research Group, www.barna.org.
Beyond-the-Senses Experiences -- The Barna report also explores many dimensions of teens’ interactions with unexplainable events. It is no wonder most teens believe in the supernatural realm: many have had experiences that could only be described as supernatural or spiritual. For instance, seven million teens have encountered an angel, demon, or some other supernatural being. More than two million teens say they have communicated with a dead person (10%). Nearly two million youth claim they have psychic powers.
Beliefs -- Teens and the Supernatural includes an analysis of teen beliefs on the supernatural dimension. For instance, although three-quarters believe in the existence of an immaterial, spiritual world, there is little agreement about the shape of that arena: almost half think there are good and evil powers in the supernatural world; one-fifth says there is no such thing as good versus evil; one out of 10 offered some other opinion on the matter; and one-quarter said they have no idea.
Nielsen reports large numbers of teens watch late night local television
NEW YORK, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen Media Research reported today that teen viewing of local television during the 2005 summer season was substantially higher than had been previously reported. The information is available for the first time in major markets where Nielsen introduced its Local People Meter (LPM) service.
LPM data also reveals that teen viewers (ages 12 - 17) watched a broader range of programs than had been previously reported. Moreover, the most popular types of shows among younger audiences varied demonstrably from city to city.
The more detailed program and age/sex break downs now available from People Meters provide the television advertising community opportunities to make more precise programming and advertising decisions.
While total day viewing for teens is primarily up in the LPM Markets for the summer months (see attached chart), other teen audience trends show the following:
• Late Night (M-F 12M-2AM) also experienced significant growth in the six markets, with Philadelphia reporting an increase of more than 60,000 viewers.
• In Los Angeles, increases among male teens during Late Night were more than three times greater than female viewers at that time.
• While reality programs were among the most viewed shows among teenagers in the LPM markets, the data demonstrate that they were particularly popular in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
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Nielsen reports increase in 18-34, teen viewing of late-night television
The amount of time people spend watching TV increased over the last five years, largely due to more early-morning and late-night viewing, according to research conducted by ESPN using Nielsen Media Research data.
Men, women and teens were all watching more TV last year, which counters the notion that other entertaining diversions like the Internet and video games have fractured audiences, ESPN's research department said. "TV viewing has increased steadily since the mid-1990s, and Americans are now watching more TV than ever before," said Glenn Enoch, vp of audience research for ESPN.
"Even demo groups that are presumed to be affected more by new technology, such as teens and men 18-34, are showing record viewing levels."
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