Via Nerve’s Screengrab and Cinematical, ABI Research released a summary of results of a new survey that shows “movie downloads, both legal and illegal, remain the least watched genre of online video on the Internet.” While only 5% of over 1000 respondents are watching downloaded movies, less than that are watching illegally downloaded movies. Conducted in October 2006, 7 out of 10 internet video watchers are actually tuning in for short-form content, including news, sports and viral videos.

The entire report, “Broadband Video and Web Television End-User Perceptions,” is available only for purchase. It is part of a larger series of investigations, Digital Media Distribution and Management Research Service - intriguing results that are probably a must-read for any online video start-up. Also forshadows interesting discussions in future digital rights managment/anti-piracy discussions.