Teenagers in the UK are turning away from traditional news channels and are instead looking to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to keep up to date, Ofcom has found.
Ofcom’s News Consumption in the UK 2021/22 report shows that, for the first time, Instagram is the most popular news source among teenagers – used by nearly three in ten in 2022 (29%). TikTok and YouTube follow closely behind, used by 28% of youngsters to follow news.
BBC One and BBC Two – historically the most popular news sources among teens – have been knocked off top spot down to fifth place. Around a quarter of teens (24%) use these channels for news in 2022, compared to nearly half (45%) just five years ago.1
BBC One remains the most used news source among all online adults, although it is one of several major TV news channels to reach fewer people in 2022.2 News viewing to BBC One, BBC Two, BBC News channel, ITV and Sky News is now below pre-pandemic levels, resuming a longer-term decline in traditional TV news viewing.
TikTok clocks up millions more news users
Conversely, TikTok has seen the largest increase in use of any news source between 2020 and 2022 – from 0.8 million UK adults in 2020 (1%), increasing to 3.9 million UK adults in 2022 (7%).3 This brings it onto a par with Sky News’ website and app.
TikTok’s growth is primarily driven by younger age groups, with half of its news users aged 16 to 24. Users of TikTok for news claim to get more of their news on the platform from ‘other people they follow’ (44%) than ‘news organisations’ (24%).4
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s Group Director for Strategy and Research, said: “Teenagers today are increasingly unlikely to pick up a newspaper or tune into TV News, instead preferring to keep up-to-date by scrolling through their social feeds.
“And while youngsters find news on social media to be less reliable, they rate these services more highly for serving up a range of opinions on the day’s topical stories.”
TV news remains trusted
TV news remains the most trusted news source among UK adults (71%), with news on social media considered the least reliable (35%). CNN (83%) and Sky News (75%) are highly trusted by their viewers for news, while the public service broadcasters are also trusted by the majority of their viewers – BBC (73%), ITV (70%), Channel 4 (66%) and Channel 5 (59%). Sixty-seven per cent of newcomer GB News’s viewers trust its news reporting.
Among teens, half of YouTube and Twitter users think they provide trustworthy news stories (51% and 52% respectively). Despite its popularity for news, fewer than a third of youngsters (30%) trust TikTok’s news content.
Decline in print news appears to accelerate
The combined use of print and online newspapers among adults is 38% in 2022, a significant decrease from 2020 (47%) and 2018 (51%).
This is being driven by the substantial decrease of print newspaper reach in recent years, with the trend seen pre-pandemic appearing to accelerate, likely exacerbated by the pandemic.
Less than a quarter (24%) of UK adults use print newspapers for news in 2022, compared with more than a third (35%) in 2020, and two in five (40%) in 2018. Use of newspapers among teenagers fell from 19% to 13% in the last five years.
The most memorable theme tune in the UK is Friends, followed by EastEnders andCoronation Street.
75% of 16-24-year-olds believe that theme tunes used to be more recognisable.
44% of people find that a good TV theme tune plays an important role in the enjoyment of the show.
From dramatic instrumentals to catchy hit songs, a good introduction sequence to a TV show can live in the hearts and minds of audiences for a long time. But which TV theme tunes do we love the most?
A recent study by Currys uncovered which TV theme tune is the most recognised, which one is most nostalgic and whether we’ve become a nation of intro skippers.
The most memorable TV soundtrack
The study surveyed 2,006 people in the UK to find out what TV theme tune springs to mind when first questioned. It turns out the hit 90s show Friends and its iconic song by The Rembrandts takes the top spot. Here are the TV shows that made the top 10:
Rank
Show
% of votes
1
Friends
23%
2
EastEnders
20%
3
Coronation Street
13%
4
Match of the Day
12%
5
Only Fools & Horses
6%
6
Doctor Who
4%
7
Neighbours
3%
8
Game of Thrones
2%
9
Star Trek
2%
10
Grandstand
2%
Which genres have the most recognisable theme tune?
When it comes to the genre that has the most recognisable theme tune, soaps take the top spot.
It could be why the list of top 10 most memorable theme tunes above has soap shows featured three times. Here are the stats on the most recognisable theme tune by genre and who is most likely to recall them:
· 40% of Brits believe that soaps have the most iconic theme tunes. This is followed by comedies (26%) and dramas (25%).
· 50% of women stated that soaps have the most recognisable theme tune.
· Twice the number of men (31%) than women (15%) think sport-related TV shows have the most memorable theme tunes.
· 45-54-year-olds believe that the soap genre has the most recognised theme tune.
· Comedy is the most popular genre with Gen Zs, with 31% stating that these theme tunes are the most memorable.
Do theme tunes conjure up feelings of nostalgia?
The survey found that certain TV title sequences can elicit feelings of nostalgia in viewers, transporting them to their childhood or another time in their past. Here’s what the survey unearthed about nostalgia and theme tunes:
· 75% of 16-24-year-olds believe that theme tunes used to be more recognisable.
· Boomers completely disagree, with 65% stating that do not think theme tunes used to be any more recognisable.
· The show that reminds people of their childhood the most is Doctor Who.
Are older theme tunes more memorable?
It’s easier than ever to skip or fast-forward the title sequence of shows. But has this impacted the recognisability of TV theme tunes? Well, nearly half of the shows on the list of top 10 most memorable theme tunes were first broadcast in the 60s. Here’s what else the survey discovered:
· The average number of years the top 10 most memorable TV shows and their theme tunes have been running for is 39 years, with 6 of the shows still running to this day.
· A quarter of Brits state that the least memorable genre of theme tunes is reality TV shows.
· In second and third place of least recognisable are the News and Politics (22%) and Sci-Fi/Horror genres (19%).
· 55+-year-old respondents state they are least likely to recognise the theme tune from a reality TV show.
How important are theme tunes to the enjoyment of the show?
Often the title sequence and the theme tune that accompany them are designed to be a part of the episode itself. They tell the audience what to expect from the show and some even change as the story progresses or even add an extra gag for the audience to enjoy before each episode starts. Here are the people who enjoy and don’t enjoy TV theme tunes:
· 44% of people find that a good theme tune plays an important role in a TV show.
· 16% of respondents stated that a theme tune is not important in the enjoyment of a good TV show.
· Over half (56%) of Gen Zs (16-24-year-olds) believe that a good theme tune adds to the enjoyment of a show, even though they’re also the group that’s most likely to skip it.
· Nearly a quarter (23%) of 55+-year-olds do not believe the theme tune adds to the enjoyment of their show.
Are we a nation of intro skippers?
Thanks to handy “skip intro” features on streaming services, audiences no longer have to sit through TV theme tunes, if they don’t want to. So, who’s opting to not watch the intros?
· 92% of millennials (25-34-year-olds) say they skip the intro.
· People over 55 years old are most likely to watch intros of TV shows, with nearly 30% of respondents in this age bracket stating they never skip them.
· 88% of Newcastle residents are intro skippers.
· Edinburgh residents are least likely to skip the intro to a TV show (23%).
The true star of the show: the stunning Devon farm you can visit for a holiday
The home of the hit TV show, “The Simpler Life” is a beautiful farmstead, Libbear Barton, in North West Devon that you can visit for a holiday.
The property comprises four luxury, self-catered holiday lets accompanied by a beautiful, heated indoor pool, soft play and playground. Set in 40 acres of the stunning rolling hills of North Devon that viewers fell in love with, the stunning Georgian farmhouse and barn conversion cottages sleep up to 40 people.
Max Manners, Libbear Barton’s General Manager said: “Tuesday night’s premier of The Simpler Life on Channel 4 left viewers in no doubt that living in the countryside is not for everyone.
“But even the most city-centric of us still love to occasionally escape there on holiday. We specialise in family friendly holidays for those who enjoy the outdoors but want to know that there is plenty to do indoors too should the weather not be perfect…which it occasionally is not!”
But if you are looking for the “simpler life” experience you won’t find it here. Having undergone a recent refurbishment, viewers would have difficulty recognising the accommodation.
Gone are the sparse, candlelit bedrooms and stripped back furnishings you would find in an Amish community. Instead, you can expect to find stylish, modern, country homes offering the highest level of comfort.
Despite the departure from the Amish tradition of eschewing modern life, Max and Alex Manners, who run the site, still aim to create a business that is as sustainable as possible. Solar powers a large proportion of the sites’ energy requirement with the rest supplied through green renewables.
The water supply is delivered from an on-site borehole and windblown trees provide fuel for heating in the winter months.
The couple also aspire to a level of self-sufficiency.
“We have been inspired by what the contributors were able to achieve in a short time”, explains Alex Manners. “We aim to continue to cultivate the land for vegetables and raise our own meat much like they did on the show.
“Holiday guests will be able to collect eggs and pick veg for the table during their stay – hopefully inspiring them to live in a way that minimises their impact as much as possible.”
‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer’ is back with new kitchenware in Cancer Research UK shops
BAKERS from Edinburgh and the Lothians are being urged to grab their mixing bowls and whip up some cash, as ‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer’ returns to Channel 4 tomorrow (March 22).
Everyone from baking beginners to patisserie pros are being asked to don their aprons in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Getting started is a piece of cake with a free fundraising kit to download full of tips, recipes and ideas for getting friends and family involved in raising some serious dough for life-saving research.
Fans of the show can also support the cause with striking new Star Baker themed kitchenware available from Cancer Research UK shops in Edinburgh and the Lothians or online, as well as via retailer Next.co.uk.*
The range features everything foodies and fundraisers need to create their signature bakes in style including an apron, oven gloves, a trio of tea towels and a mug.
In Scotland, around 32,200 people are diagnosed with cancer a year.**
Stand Up To Cancer aims to get new cancer tests and treatments to people who need them the most. Since its launch in 2012, the campaign has raised more than £93 million to fund 59 clinical trials and research projects across the UK.
These include the development of new treatments that use viruses to fight cancer, clinical trials testing potentially more effective ways to deliver radiotherapy and improved surgical techniques for bowel cancer.
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in Scotland, said: “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime***, but all of us can play a part to help beat it. That’s why we need people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to help us turn up the heat on this devastating disease.
“We hope these special episodes for Stand Up To Cancer will encourage viewers to host their own baking fundraiser. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a whizz in the kitchen, you can look the part with our new Star Baker range. The most important thing is raising money to help speed up research and save lives. Every last crumb will make a difference.”
The celebrity contestants putting their skills to the test in the Bake Off tent and hoping to inspire some show-stopping fundraising results include Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah; singer-songwriter Example; singer-songwriter and UN Environment Ambassador Ellie Goulding; TV presenters Sophie Morgan and Emma Willis; actor, Blake Harrison; comedian, writer and TV presenter Ruby Wax and judge, presenter and dancer Motsi Mabuse.
‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer’ will return for five special episodes on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 8pm, from March 22.
10th April – Edinburgh Festival Theatre audition date
Leading entertainment industry training programme and talent management, Stagebox, has announced audition dates taking place across the nation from April 2022.
The annual search sees experts audition passionate performers aged 8-18 years old from across the country (and internationally), offering successful members the chance to benefit from world class training and opportunities in a contemporary supercharged industry accelerator for musical theatre, television and film.
Last year’s auditions saw the Stagebox team meet thousands of performers from across the UK and beyond, and this year they anticipate similar interest. This year, auditionees will be able to select whether they are auditioning for an acting or musical theatre membership and their audition day will see them be put through their paces in this discipline.
Many young performers training at Stagebox have already landed dream roles on stage and screen, thanks to the expert training and management.
Stagebox has secured their clients major lead talent screen roles in Oscar nominated and Emmy award winning productions, including Peaky Blinders (Netflix), Sex Education (Netflix), Robin Robin (Netflix), Ted Lasso (Apple TV+), Avenue 5 (HBO), The Power (Amazon Studios), Pistol (Disney +), BAFTA anthology Superdad (Channel 4), Gentleman Jack (Netflix/HBO), Lagging (BBC) and many more.
Stagebox management clients also continue to star in West End and UK Tour musicals including Frozen, Matilda the Musical, School of Rock, Annie, The Grinch, Mary Poppins and Tina the Musical to name a few.
To further the opportunities for their clients, Stagebox Management has also brokered agency partnerships stateside, working alongside Innovative Artists, Paradigm Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment, Gravity Hill, KMR, Maverick and more.
Commenting on the upcoming 2022 auditions, Stagebox’s General Manager, Jasmine Quinlan Gardner, said: “We are so excited to begin our nationwide search for the stars of today and tomorrow.
“We are proud of our inclusive, diverse and extraordinarily talented community and we can’t wait to meet those who will join us on the journey.”
Kirsti Bagger, Head Agent at Stagebox, adds: “At Stagebox, the training is second to none, preparing our young stars for careers on the stage and screen. 2021 was one of our most successful years ever with Stagebox Management clients wrapping on global award-winning feature films and television series and critically acclaimed theatre productions.
“We’re committed to making auditions for Stagebox free as part of our ongoing dedication to inclusivity in the arts. We only open for auditions once a year, and we’re excited to see our 2022 auditionees’ incredible new talent!”
These auditions are guaranteed to fill up fast and limited spaces apply. To register your spot for your preferred audition date, please visit the Stagebox website to apply.
Whether planting potatoes or cultivating herbaceous borders, the Scots have long been known as a nation of gardeners. In this series, green-fingered Murdo Macdonald visits some of the country’s most important designed-landscapes to reveal the fascinating story of Scotland’s gardening past.
Each programme explores a different garden, with Murdo picking out his favourite aspects of each and talking to the curators and gardeners who look after them today. He’ll learn about their design, plant-life, setting and history.
Murdo said: “Scotland is famed for its landscapes, for natural habitats of variety and great beauty. We also have an incredible history and culture of cultivation, of gardening and plant collecting.
“I’ve had a pretty varied career, from army officer to estate factor. I’ve worked across the UK and further afield but it’s only now that I’ve taken a step back from working full-time that I can indulge my hobbies – art and gardening.
“My own garden is my haven, there’s something very therapeutic about the solitary nature of gardening, the rhythm of it and the sights and sounds of nature.
“Gardening can feed you, heal you and educate. It also teaches you patience!
“Now is a fantastic time to start gardening given the background of what we’re all experiencing and the need to stay closer to home.
“With these gardens it’s the vision that’s gone into their creation that’s incredible and the continuing work that staff do to maintain them that surprises and delights.
“In essence these gardens are masterpieces and a testament to the skill and passion of those who look after them. They are all astonishing and when you walk through the gardens they inspire you to recreate some of what you see on a smaller scale at home.”
Four new episodes (5 to 8) start on Thursday, September 23 and they will also be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards:
Programme 5 – Dawyck Botanic Garden near Stobo, Scottish Borders
Murdo travels to near Stobo in the Scottish Borders to visit Dawyck Botanic Garden when the autumn colours are at their most vibrant.
Dawyck Botanic Garden is one of the regional gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Its Cryptogamic Sanctuary is the world’s first reserve for mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi.
Murdo speaks to a mycologist about the garden’s Cryptogamic Sanctuary and why fungi is important in the eco system and its various uses to produce medicines, chocolate, coffee and bread. It’s also fundamental for producing fizzy drinks, wine and cheese.
Roddy Maclean talks about an autumn favourite – the bramble, and Dr Mark Newman from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh tells viewers about how trees reproduce.
The programme also features a rare Katsura tree which smells like candy floss.
Quotes from presenter Murdo Macdonald:
“Dawyck’s a really interesting garden, somewhat out of the way yet it’s an oasis of horticultural genius. I was taken aback that someone has achieved what they did in this remote part of Scotland.
“There’s an incredible diversity of plants and shrubs and a beautiful landscape surrounding it.
“The Katsura tree was amazing, when you walk past it you can smell the sweetness and you wonder where it comes from. It sets your tastebuds tingling!”
Contributors:
Curator – Graham Stewart
Mycologist – Neville Kilkenny
Royal Botanic Garden press and marketing manager – Shauna Hay
Programme 6 – Ardkinglas, Loch Fyne, Argyll
Murdo visits Ardkinglas on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll. In the House Gardens he finds out about the model railway that used to run along the lochside, and wanders around the azaleas which are bursting with colour in the Ladies’ Garden.
He walks up to the Old Mill by the river, then explores the champion trees and renowned rhododendron collection in the Woodland Garden. He also finds out more about the fairy garden for children which is made up of lots of little houses next to the bottom of tree trunks, laid out in trail to follow, which tells the story of different fairy characters who have set up home there.
Roddy Maclean talks about the folklore associated with bluebells and Dr Mark Newman from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh talks about the process of hybridising rhododendrons.
Quotes from presenter Murdo Macdonald:
“The fairy garden attracts thousands of families each year so it’s become a destination in itself.
“Children can easily spend a day there and it’s a great way to get youngsters interested in the outdoors and gardening.
“The Ladies’ Garden with azaleas is also well worth seeing, in summer it’s stunning because it’s ablaze with colour.”
Contributors
Owner – David Sumsion
Estate manager – Jean Maskell
Programme 7 – Benmore Botanic Garden near Dunoon, Argyll
Murdo visits Benmore which is one of the regional gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The entrance to the garden is very impressive with a 50m high Redwood Avenue, planted in 1863.
The garden has areas with samples from different parts of the world, including Tasmania, Bhutan, Japan and Chile. Its Victorian fernery, built by James Duncan, a wealthy sugar refiner who once owned Benmore, has a collection of over 70 rare and varied ferns from across the world.
Murdo visits the Victorian fernery, the Tasmanian Ridge and the Chilean Rainforest Glade where he plants a monkey puzzle tree.
Dr Mark Newman of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh tells us about the important role of botanic gardens in conservation and education.
Quotes from presenter Murdo Macdonald:
“Benmore is a dramatic garden in its terrain with amazing views and you could easily spend days walking around, just taking in what’s there.
“There’s a wildness to the garden that isn’t as apparent at some of the other more formal gardens which can almost make you feel as though you’re in a different country.
“I look forward to visiting from time to time to see how my monkey puzzle tree is getting on.”
Contributors:
Curator – Peter Baxter
Royal Botanic Garden press and marketing manager – Shauna Hay
Programme 8 – The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Dollar near Stirling
Murdo visits the Japanese Garden at Cowden near Stirling. He finds out about the two women who created the garden at the turn of the 20th century – Ella Christie, and Taki Handa.
Ella Christie is believed to have been the first western woman to meet the Dalai Lama, and when she returned from a visit from Japan she was so inspired by their gardens that she wanted to create her own at Cowden. She employed Taki Handa from Japan (it was very unusual for a female to work in garden design in Japan), to create this garden of Shã Raku En, ‘the place of pleasure and delight’.
The garden was badly vandalised in the 1960s, so Ella’s great, great niece tells Murdo what was involved in reconstructing the garden. He also learns more about the cultural significance of the Japanese design of the garden and the essential work that’s being carried out by volunteers and staff to maintain the beauty of the gardens. Part of their work involves creating a ripple effect in the gravel as though a stone has been dropped and raking the leaves from the pond to retain a clean reflection on the water.
Roddy Maclean tells us about the importance of moss and Dr Mark Newman of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh explains why trees turn such beautiful colours in the autumn.
Quotes from presenter Murdo Macdonald:
“The Japanese Garden is beautiful. It’s a completely different approach to gardening because it’s highly formalised. It’s almost an attempt to create perfection with such a minute approach to everything, even plucking a single weed at a time.
“There’s a lovely circulatory walk around it and each time you see something different. It creates a feeling of Zen-like tranquility.
“There’s also a fantastic backstory to this garden because of the involvement of three very formidable ladies who made such a success of it.”
Last night’s BBC One Mastermind final saw Jonathan Gibson, a 24-year-old student from Glasgow, crowned the youngest ever Mastermind Champion since the show began in 1972.
Currently studying a PhD in Modern History at the University of St. Andrews, Jonathan (above) won by a margin of four points in the Grand Final – scoring a perfect 11/11 in his specialist subject, comedy song writing duo, Flanders and Swann.
Jonathan’s other specialist subjects throughout the competition were Agatha Christie’s Poirot in the heat and William Pitt the Younger in the semi-final. He scored perfect scores on all three specialist subjects, as well as a perfect general knowledge score in his semi-final round.
Monday’s grand final was John Humphrys’ last episode as host of Mastermind. John presented 735 episodes and asked more than 80,000 questions during that time.
The new series with newly-announced presenter Clive Myrie, a BBC news journalist and regular presenter of the BBC News at Six and Ten, at the helm will be filmed in Belfast in the summer and will return to viewer’s screens on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
NEW SURVEY FOR TOP GEAR HIGHLIGHTS THE FAMILY ‘MOTORING MEMORIES’ THAT COULD SOON BE LOST TO HISTORY
Classic in-car ‘I-Spy’ style games, parents bickering over directions and children’s cries of ‘are we there yet?’are now all part of a bygone age of motoring according to a new study.
Survey into the history of family car travel identifies the motoring experiences that younger generations will never encounter
Research reveals six in ten (63%) adults aged 40 and over cherish childhood memories of family outings by car
60% say the most honest and heartfelt chats with family take place in the car
Study marks the launch of a new series of hit BBC One motoring show Top Gear on Sunday 14th March
First episode sees presenters Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris drive their old family cars as they reminisce about their childhood motoring memories
Mum and Dad bickering over maps and directions, playing ‘I Spy’ style car games with the kids and using wire coat hangers for replacement aerials are now all part of a bygone age of motoring, according to a new survey released today.
The research for Top Gear into family car travel over the last 40 years reveals a seismic change between generations and identifies the in-car travel experiences that could soon be consigned to the history books.
Tuning in the car stereo, picking up hitchhikers and the plaintive cries of ‘are we there yet?’ from listless children are also listed among the motoring expereince wthe motoring experiences that younger generations are unlikely to encounter.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults aged 40 and over was commissioned by BBC Studios to mark the start of the 30th series of flagship BBC One motoring entertainment show Top Gear on Sunday 14th March.
In the series opener, presenters Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris drive their old family cars and reminisce about their childhood motoring memories.
The top ten family car travel experiences which have been lost to history:
Unfurling of maps and arguments between parents over directions (54%)
One CD or tape in the car that you had to listen to every single time you went on a drive (53%)
Pre-planning routes (39%)
Using a coat hanger as a radio aerial (39%)
Using the cigarette lighter for its original intended purpose (35%)
Endless tuning to get a radio signal (34%)
Classic ‘in car’ games such as ‘I Spy’ (34%)
Picking up hitchhikers (30%)
The rallying cry of ‘are we there yet?’ (24%)
His and hers windscreen stickers (sunscreen strips) (23%)
Bygone experiences which just missed out on a top 10 placement included changing your own spare tyre (23%), the discovery of local radio stations being picked up as you drive through a hilly region (19%) and going for a Sunday family ‘leisure drive’ (19%).
The survey also revealed that the countless hours spent on childhood car journeys hold vivid and cherished family memories for the vast majority (68%) of British adults.
In car games such as ‘I Spy’ and imaginative checklists to spot road signs were also named as the most fondly remembered ‘motor memories’ of a now bygone era (67%) and whilst it may have been their parent’s worst nightmare the rallying cry of ‘are we there yet’ still has a place in our hearts, with over half of those surveyed (56%) saying it was one of their most vivid family road trip memories.
Conversely, arguments between parents over directions (44%), endlessly tuning to find radio stations (43%) and arguments over what radio station to listen to (37%) are the experiences we miss the least.
Paddy McGuinness commented: “Kids now will never witness the delights of an A to Z or the games of eye spy in a very warm car.
“It was great to take a drive down memory lane in our old family cars for the new series. One thing we all recalled with huge affection was the heartfelt chats we had with our parents on those long car journeys when we were growing up.”
The research, launched ahead of Mothers’ Day, reveals that over half of us find it easier to have deep and meaningful conversations with family whilst on a car journey.
53% of respondents recall memorable heart-to-hearts with mum on the road whilst 47% also delved into deeper ‘in-car’ conversations with their fathers. Six in ten of those surveyed said they connected most with their parents while chatting in the car.
Clare Pizey, Top Gear’s Executive Producer said: “As this new survey would seem to prove, whilst long car journeys back in the day took for ever, weren’t always very comfortable – or indeed safe given lots of us didn’t have rear seat belts – what they did have was loads of family chats and games that have made precious memories.
“Fred, Chris and Paddy certainly felt like they were driving down memory lane when they drove their Dads’ cars recently and they all remembered just being with their parents in the car very fondly.”
Further findings revealed that 59% of Brits now identify satellite navigation aids as the number one piece of modern tech they would not want to live without followed by Hi-tech entertainment systems (12%) and sophisticated security features (8%).
The new four-episode series of Top Gear, produced by BBC Studios, returns to screens this Sunday 14 March and will feature: a titanium-shoed presenting team being dragged down a Scottish runway by The Stig driving their cars; a tribute to the most famous and least well-known Bond cars; Freddie racing in the battery-powered-off-road Extreme E against a Jetpack man; and a ‘Mid-life Crisis Cars’ episode involving bicycles, lycra and jet skis!
Top Gear starts this Sunday 14 March at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
A new survey into the nation’s TV viewing habits reveals that, on average, Edinburgh viewers currently spend 28 hours of every week glued to their tellies, clocking up to 112 hours a month.
Commissioned by Samsung UK, the research shows that as many as 82 percent of those in the area surveyed said having good things to watch this January and February would help them get through the bleaker winter months.
With 80 percent of the British nation having enjoyed watching more TV during 2020, the research reveals that, in Edinburgh, the average household is set to enjoy 22 box set episodes, 10 sit-coms, six soap opera episodes and four football matches per month. Over a quarter of those polled said that in 2021 they could not live without their TVs.
In an average month this year, viewers in Edinburgh will also enjoy 14 reruns of their favourite shows, nine films, seven game shows and five reality shows – as well as a staggering 73 YouTube videos.
The research also uncovers that over the period of a month, people in Edinburgh will fall asleep in front of the TV three times, have four family feuds over what to watch, snuggle up with a furry friend five times and spill something on the carpet at least four times.
The True Crime genre TV capital of the UK is revealed to be London, with Brits in the city set to enjoy eight episodes each month.
Moreover, the research into TV habits reveals that the soap opera capital of the UK is officially Bristol, where residents will indulge in nine episodes of their favourite soap each month.
Meanwhile it was revealed that hardcore football fans are most likely to be found in Newcastle upon Tyne, watching up to six matches a month.
The research also found that Edinburgh is shifting from watching traditional terrestrial TV to using more modern streaming platforms.
Overall, 46 percent of the nation favours Netflix and this rings true for Edinburgh households, as 38 percent prefer to use this platform over anything else to get their entertainment fix.
Other popular streaming platforms across Edinburgh include Amazon Prime (10 percent), Disney+ (six percent) and BBC iPlayer (eight percent).
The old saying “Laughter is the best medicine” certainly rings true across the nation, as over half of Edinburgh based participants (68 percent) will be watching comedy shows to help keep spirits up throughout the beginning of the year.
In fact, viewers in the UK will laugh until they cry at least five times a month, with 66 percent of Edinburgh based adults admitting comedy is their favourite type of programme to watch. This was closely followed by documentaries (46 percent) true crime (36 percent), game shows (34 percent) and light entertainment (32 percent).
Deep Halder, Head of TV/AV Retail & Content Services, Samsung Electronics UK Ltd said: “As the nation is set to spend even more time at home this year, many of us will be turning to our TVs to provide some comfort and light relief during these times.
“At Samsung, we’re always listening to what our customers desire from their viewing experiences and with almost half turning to comedy shows, we’re proud to have recently launched Samsung’s own Comedy channel via Samsung TV Plus – our exclusive service which offers Smart TV owners instant access to over 80 live and on-demand TV channels for free, guaranteeing endless entertainment options.”
The survey also showed that selecting what to view on TV isn’t always plain sailing, with the average Edinburgh household spending 10 minutes per day bickering over what to watch and 15 minutes flicking through the channels.
One of the biggest frustrations, however, is often finding the remote in the first place, with the research revealing that they spend seven minutes every day searching for the elusive item.
To find out more about Samsung’s TV portfolio, from its pioneering QLED 8K TVs offering state-of-the-art technology, to its impeccably stylish range of lifestyle TVs with innovative features, please visit www.samsung.com/uk/.
BBC One secured the top five most watched programmes, and seven out of the top ten, as audiences turned to the channel across the Christmas Day.
BBC One was the channel of choice showcasing a range of entertaining programmes across drama, comedy and entertainment.
Kate Phillips, Acting Controller of BBC One, says: “BBC One had the most popular show on Christmas Day as audiences escaped to Poplar for the Call the Midwife special.
“I’m really proud of the range and quality of programmes we’ve shown across this special day. BBC One entertained the nation and provided something for everyone to enjoy after a particularly difficult year.”
