Marketing research and insights news and information. This issue's keywords: payment systems; Internet price checks; Canadian government; cross-channel marketing; free on demand television

The total time spent viewing free on demand (FOD) television content in the broadcast primetime category increased 22 percent, shows  Portland, Ore., firm Rentrak released its latest State of VOD: Trend Report. This is compared to the previous year with 32.8 million more hours per month watched in Q1 2015 than two years ago. Transactions for the FOD broadcast prime-time category are up 19.8 percent and the transactions for cable series content are up 8.2 percent. The report also shows the majority of prime time viewing on demand happens after day three, with more than 50 percent occurring day seven and beyond.

Half of retailers say customer experience is the driving factor in the increase to their payment investment and 93 percent of retailers believe consumers want a broader choice of payment tools according to a survey by Naples, Fla., payment systems company ACI Worldwide and London research firm Ovum. Nearly half (49 percent) of retailers have seen their payment costs increase in the past 18 months and 56 percent expect them to keep rising. Fifty-four percent of retailers cite security concerns as the top obstacle in increasing payment investments. Forty-three percent say maintaining existing legacy infrastructure is the biggest obstacle while 40 percent cited customer protection requirements.

A survey by FAIR Health shows that 59 percent of Millennials (ages 18 to 34) report using the Internet to check prices of consumer electronics and 35 percent use it to shop online for cars but only 19 percent used the Internet to check costs of medical or dental care. The data show no significant difference between Millennials and any other age groups when it comes to checking costs of medical or dental care with technology.

Canadian policy and political experts find it very important for the federal government to consult with Canadians and relevant stakeholders when making decisions and public opinion research (POR) was an effective consultative tool, shows a study by Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association. The study also finds that government decision-making can be improved through data and information provided by POR, keeping government attuned to attitudes, opinions, beliefs, values and concerns of citizens and provides a way to hold government accountable. In addition, the study finds lack of public consultation can contribute to civil disengagement, political apathy and cynicism.

Data from Experian Marketing Services' 2015 Digital Marketer Report, which studied the hurdles and priorities for marketers, show that linkage topped the list of barriers to cross-channel marketing success. Eighty-nine percent of marketers say they have trouble achieving a single customer view and 32 percent see effective linkage as the main barrier to creating a cross-channel marketing strategy.

These reports were compiled from recent issues of the Daily News Queue, a free e-newsletter digest of marketing research and insights news and information delivered each business morning. Not already in the Queue? Sign up here!Â