The articel analyses peculiarities of the use of television and Internet in Russia. The theoretical basis of the conducted analysis are the concept of “relative permanence” and the theory of utility and satisfaction of needs through media. The empirical base are the results of a study of the communicative behavior of the urban population of the Russian Federation. A typology is proposed of the use of TV and Internet from the point of view of the duration of media consumption. Factors determining the peculiarities of the current state and prospects for the use of television and the Internet are discussed.