Revealed: People in SW watch over 19 hours of TV a week, exceeding national average

A new survey from electrical retailer AO.com has revealed the TV habits of those living in the South West in 2016. 

Asking questions on topics ranging from viewing behaviour, favourite shows and even attitudes towards live entertainment, the survey found evidence suggesting our bond with the small screen was stronger than ever.

So are we a region of TV addicts? And has this affected our relationship with live entertainment?

South West viewing habits…

• The average person in the South West watches 19.1 hours of TV a week. This is over the UK average of 18.61 hours a week
• 15.8% watch the majority of their TV on their laptops or tablets
• The most popular TV genre in the South West is Drama. We watch on average 3.6 hours of Drama a week
• The least popular TV genre in the South West is chat shows, they’re watched on average just 1.5 hours a week
• Sports are the most sociable TV genre, with a fifth of respondents (22.8%) regularly inviting friends round to watch live sporting events
• 14.9% of the South West attended a party for this years Eurovision Song Contest

How does the South West’s average weekly viewing compare with the rest of the UK?

1. Yorkshire – 22 hours a week
2. London – 21.3 hours a week
3. Midlands – 20.3 hours a week
4. South West – 19.1 hours a week
5. South East – 18.6 hours a week
6. North East – 18.5 hours a week
7. North West – 17.9 hours a week
8. Wales – 17.6 hours a week
9. East – 16.9 hours a week
10. Scotland – 16.7 hours a week
11. Northern Ireland – 15.9 hours a week

Surprisingly the survey also revealed that 55.9% of the South West would prefer to watch a live event on TV rather than attending it in person. This was down to several factors including cost, public toilets, drunk crowds and bad weather.

The survey was conducted in support of AO.com’s “Bringing the Summer Home” campaign, designed to make sure the UK public can experience every major live event this summer, from the comfort of their own home.

Featuring a rundown of 12 of the biggest events in the summer calendar, the interactive hub calculates how much it would cost you to travel to the event and experience it in person, before suggesting ways of how you can transport the atmosphere and excitement of the event right to your front room.

Andrew Kirkcaldy, group brand director at AO.com said: “We love a bit of TV in Britain. From watching the trials and tribulations of our favourite soap opera characters, to grabbing a front row seat to the best sporting events in the world, we just can’t get enough of what the small screen has to offer!

If you missed out on tickets to your dream summer event, or just don’t fancy tackling the crowds, don’t despair! We created the Bringing the Summer Home guide to help you throw the perfect party for the iconic summer events, AO style – complete with themed food and drinks, and the latest in AV technology to enhance your viewing experience.”

You can take a look at the Bringing the Summer Home campaign here - http://ao.com/life/bringing-the-summer-home/