In a fascinating study by The Hollywood Reporter and market research firm Penn Schoen Berland released earlier this year, it came to light that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter play an indispensable role in all key aspects of today’s entertainment industry.

It wasn’t so long ago that email didn’t even exist; now Hollywood executives are making decisions based on how the masses are speaking on Twitter.

Take a look at some of the study’s findings, based on a survey of 750 social network users ages 13 to 49.

Social Media as Entertainment: 88% of respondents view Twitter and Facebook as entertainment

Hours Spent Each Week Doing Online Activities

8 Hours: Visiting social networking sites
8 Hours: Listening to music
7 Hours: Watching full-length TV shows
4 Hours: Watching full-length movies
4 Hours: Watching video clips (e.g. YouTube)
4 Hours: Instant messaging

How Social Networking Impacts Entertainment Choices: how we watch TV is now intimately integrated into our social networking

Social Networking in Theaters: the majority of 18-to-34-year-olds believe using social media in a movie theater adds to their experience

Music and Social Media

70% of respondents have listened to music by an artist based primarily on what a friend posted on a social networking site.

Social Media Overall Influence: Positivity Trumps Negativity

To check out the results in full, click here.

(Hollywood sign image from bannosuke / Shutterstock.com)