Radio Times View of the Nation Television Survey

Survey of attitudes towards televion and viewing behaviour.

A Radio Times study of the nation's attitudes to television suggests British viewers are becoming increasingly dependent on their sets - but may feel uncomfortable admitting so.

54% of the population - around 26 million people - would be lonely without their television, even though 67% claim there is often nothing worth watching.

While there is widespread concern about the effect programmes have on children, two-thirds of parents still use TV as a babysitter, and nearly half of adults with seven- to ten-year-olds have a set in a child's bedroom.

Despite 40% of homes leaving their TVs on for at least six hours a day, only 12% of viewers admit they watch as much. And although reality TV and soaps are considered to be among the least important subjects on TV, viewing figures state the population still spends the most hours watching these shows.

Nigel Horne, Editor of Radio Times, says: "It's intriguing that our study is riddled with contradictions. We don't like to be without our TV, and yet we're loath to admit that. We say our sets are on for hours each day but claim to watch far less. The Radio Times View of the Nation Survey offers a fascinating insight into our guilty love affair with TV."

The Radio Times View of the Nation Television Survey was conducted by MORI and is published today. Other key findings include:

  • TV is increasingly a "lifestyle" crutch rather than simply entertainment, used as background to almost everything we do - from cooking, eating and phoning friends, through to reading, studying and making love
  • Technology is not being exploited - half with interactive TVs don't use the interactive element. Only 7% have plans to buy a digital TV
  • Trevor MacDonald is more trusted than Jeremy Paxman from a shortlist of stars; David Jason is the best-loved celebrity with Anne Robinson the most disliked; Chris Evans is considered the most over-rated

 

Technical details

MORI interviewed a nationally representative sample of 597 adults aged 18+ with a TV in their household. Interviewing was conducted within 44 sample points across the UK between 23 June and 10 July 2001. Full results are on pages 30 - 34 of the 1-7 September 2001 edition of Radio Times, published today.

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