Technologically-minded people are increasingly turning to digital content to match their needs as consumers, a major broadcasting official has said.

In a speech at the Westminster eForum Keynote Seminar: Beyond Beijing, head of interactive at BBC Sport Ben Gallop said that the interests of casual users are evolving to take in much more in the way of digital services.

He noted that it was not about linear services at the expense of digital services but about a development.

Mr Gallop said: "We are moving very swiftly towards a mixed economy where people consume different bits of content depending on their particular needs at any one time."

Although this development was not quite mainstream, he stated, the last four years has showed a marked increase in people using online services such as BBC Sport, with the biggest difference illustrated between the Athens and Beijing Olympics on his website.

The Beijing Olympics was watched by 4.7 billion viewers in 17 days, according to the Nielsen Company.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).