Digital TV News

Brits become a nation of ‘telly addicts’

Friday 12 February, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

The average UK household watched over 26 hours of TV per week during 2009, according to a new report.

British households watched an average of three hours and 45 minutes worth of television every day last year - the most for 18 years - according to research commissioned by the UK’s Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

The figures in the latest Trends in Television report are equivalent to more than 26 hours of viewing a week.

Experts have concluded that the high number of hours of TV being watch has been sparked by the recession, with fewer Brits spending money on nights out or holidays.

Mick Desmond, chairman of Channel Television and a former ITV advertising boss, told the Daily Mail: “The figures are a combination of more channels, more choice, the return of big live shows and it is the recession as well. People are not going out as much, and are staying in and watching more TV.”

The final of Britain’s Got Talent received the most viewers in 2009, with 18 million people tuning in to watch dance group Diversity beat bookies-favourite Susan Boyle.

Research also found that 92% of UK homes had made the switch to digital and were watching TV with a digital TV provider through either a monthly subscription or via Freeview or Freesat.