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HOW MUCH TELEVISION DO YOU WATCH?

The average person in the UK spends more than 3.5 hours a day watching television. This puts UK viewers well in the lead of those living in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy.

The situation in America is even worse. In fact, in 2006 USA Today reported the results of a Nielsen Media Research study which found that the average American home has more television sets than it has people. Amazingly, the average American home holds 2.55 people who can all be entertained by 2.73 television sets.

This is an astounding increase, especially considering that only 19% of homes in America have only one television, compared with 57% in 1975. Of course, all of these extra televisions are accompanied by long viewing hours. It is estimated that the average American home has at least one television set turned on for more than 8 hours each day and the average American views more than 4.5 hours of television a day.

Where else is Television?

Television sets are bracketed to walls and ceilings in almost any place that people have a minute to stand and look. Lobbies, airplanes, and even the halls of educational buildings now sport television sets to entertain onlookers.

What do Children See?

It is estimated that by the time they are 18 years old, the average child has watched more than 16,000 murders and 200,000 acts of assorted violence. In addition to the dangers of desensitization, television also affects the way that we view ourselves. Research suggests that the more television a person watches, the more they feel compelled to spend and the poorer they believe themselves to be.

Annual International television Turnoff Week

Each year, during the last week of April is the annual international television Turnoff Week. This organized boycott of the screen is organized by the Television-Turnoff organization that advocated reducing television-time in favour of spending more time reading and enjoying activities with loved ones.

Test Yourself

Taking a piece of paper write down your favourite television shows (not the ones you watch the most, but the ones you enjoy the most). In the next column write down the most memorable things that you have seen on television during your viewing history (think of breaking news, important interviews, gripping season-finales). Now, estimate the amount of time that each of these two columns required in-front of the television. To get a general idea you can assume a show runs for 20 episodes a season. (For example, if you faithfully watched a weekly ½ hour show for 4 years you spent approximately 40 hours on this particular show)

Now, complete the following formula to see how much television you have likely watched in your lifetime.

# years with television x 182 = total # of hours

For example, if you are 30 years old and started watching television when you were 2 then you have spent 5096 hours watching television so far. That is the equivalent of 212 days!

So, looking back at your list of important television memories, how does it compare to the amount of television you actually watched?

This exercise can seem very depressing, but remember that television is a source of both important information and entertainment. The key is to take control of your viewing habits.

Television Your Way

Digital television, such as the services offered by Sky, allow viewers to take control of their television viewing, only watching the shows and channels that they want. Learn More.

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