YouTube’rs watch less TV, don’t want pre-roll ads

Harris Interactive released a survey today they ran of about 2,300 people about their usage of YouTube and how it affects other media vehicles. The survey was taken during the week of December 12th. Here are some of the key stats (download the pdf):

Of all frequent YouTube users, two-thirds (66%) claim they are sacrificing other activities when on YouTube. Although their visits to the site are most likely to have been at the expense of visiting other websites (36%), time spent watching TV is next most likely to have taken a hit (32%). YouTube also cuts into email and other online social networking (20%), work/homework (19%), playing video games (15%), watching DVD(s) (12%) and even spending time with friends and family in person (12%).

When asked if the inclusion of short commercials before every clip would change how often they will visit YouTube, nearly three-quarters of adults who frequently visit the site say they would visit it a lot (31%) or a little (42%) less often as a result.

I wonder how this the announcement that YouTube will pay content creators will affect these surveys. Will users be willing to accept pre-roll or text ads around the video in return for payment? It is also interesting that the survey showed that users are ok with watching commercials on online TV and news stations.