Touchmedia Survey Reveals Popularity of Olympics in China

During the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, many companies reported some increase in absenteeism, as staff were seduced by watching the games.

Now, with the London 2012 Olympic Games only weeks away, CEOs in Asia should get set for a repeat says a recent survey organised by Touchmedia.

The survey asked 366,329 people on Touchmedia screens in taxis in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, how they thought the Olympics would affect them.

78.6% responded that they plan to watch the Olympics on TV. More than a fifth of people (21%) said they plan to watch the whole Olympics - an accomplishment in itself! Given the time delay between London and China, and the number of night finals, there will be plenty of sleepless nights.

53% said they will watch part of the highlights, and 14% see all the noise, advertising and fun around the Olympics as being just as entertaining as the main event.

59% of respondents said they expect to spend more this summer because of the Olympics. The most popular choices include souvenirs and special editions, watching the London 2012 Olympic Games with friends at bars and restaurants, and even just buying and consuming more newspapers, magazines and the like.

Only 21.4% of those surveyed said they did not plan to watch any of the Olympics.

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