BRITS SPEND OVER FOUR YEARS OF THEIR LIFE WATCHING TV, OFTEN WHILE DINING, STUDY FINDS

The average Brit spends a whopping 99 minutes daily glued to the telly, which equates to over four years in an adult's lifetime, according to a recent poll. The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that our viewing choices are influenced by our current mood (52%), programme length (47%), and genre (47%).

It seems we can't get enough of our favourite shows, with 77% admitting to re-watching them up to five times. The study also found that 83% of us enjoy a bite to eat while catching up on our favourite programmes, with dinner being the most popular mealtime choice. Over half (51%) believe that munching on food enhances their TV watching experience.

The research was commissioned by U, UKTV's new free streaming service set to launch on 16th July. To celebrate, they've teamed up with a food scientist to create a 'TV Dinners for U' restaurant, featuring a menu scientifically paired with a curated list of its TV shows. The pop-up will open in London on Wednesday, July 17th.

Dr Stuart Farrimond, who devised the 'TV Dinners' menu, identified five television genres and matched them with foods that enhance the viewing experience. For example, factual and real-life shows pair well with calming foods like salmon and beetroot, which support brain health and increase blood flow, helping to alleviate the stress of watching.

On the other hand, crime dramas go best with intriguing foods like fajitas, beans, matcha and dark chocolate, which aid concentration and keep viewers hooked on the action.

Comforting classics, such as EastEnders or The Bill, are enhanced by foods that feel familiar 'comfort foods', like lasagne, tiramisu and a glass of red wine.

Dr Stuart Farrimond stated: "The fact that TV dinners were invented in the 1950s is testament to how, for as long as televisions have been in our homes, we have eaten in front of them. The combination of good food and a great TV show offers an immersive escape and a multisensory experience that Brits love to enjoy. By applying the latest flavour science research to the selection of TV shows, I have devised meals that, whether you're watching a comforting classic or edge-of-your-seat crime drama, are designed to intensify and enhance the TV viewing experience."

When it comes to TV dining habits, a whopping 93% admit to having eaten dinner in front of the telly. On average, 13,104 meals will be eaten while watching TV in a lifetime as the average person does this four times a week. This equates to more than 208 million dinners per week being consumed in front of the box.

And 36% of those have enjoyed a Sunday roast in front of their favourite shows. While 19% have even eaten their Christmas dinner accompanied by the onscreen entertainment. It also emerged 49% will try and catch TV on their phone or tablet wherever they're eating.

Penny Brough, spokesperson for UKTV, stated: "We're a self-confessed nation of TV addicts, who love nothing more than watching our favourite shows during dinner. With our 'TV Dinners For U' restaurant, we're taking this moment of enjoyment to the next level, combining U's range of free content with a science enhanced food menu to create a first of its kind, immersive dining-viewing experience. After all, great quality television that people truly love deserves great food."

2024-07-02T07:10:31Z dg43tfdfdgfd