BDP Schools Survey – Girls Like Soaps And Boys Prefer Comedy

The Business Development Partnership (BDP) have published details of their 1995 Schools Survey. Initiated in 1989, this year’s research has been conducted amongst over eleven hundred 7-16 year olds from schools around the UK.

The BDP have found: At the weekend, 26% of boys and 13% of girls are watching television for over 9 hours on a single day. On a school day an average of 34% of boys and 41% of girls watch for 3-4 hours with older kids being the more committed viewers: 63% of girls and 44% of boys aged 15-16 years old watch for this length of time.

Young kids are watching adult programming. On school days an average of 63% of boys and 60% of girls watch after the 9.00 pm watershed; at the weekend this figure rises to 88% for both sexes.

BDP have found that girls aged 7-12 prefer soaps whilst older girls (13-16) rate Soldier Soldier as top. Younger boys (7-12) voted for Mr Bean and older boys selected Harry Enfield and Chums as their favourite programme. The Nike adverts were a favourite with boys of all ages. The Andrex puppy commercials were the most popular with 9-10 year old girls; girls aged 15-16 preferred the Levis commercials. The Studioline adverts were the most disliked for the same age group with 63% of the girls disliking it. 25% of boys aged 15-16 ‘can’t stand’ the Coca Cola adverts.

The Sun is the favourite national newspaper for both boys and girls – being more popular than any other type of publication such as comics, music, sport or computer magazines. Second most popular choices are the News of the World, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail. Amongst the daily broadsheets, the Times is the most popular, although it is only read by an average of 9% of boys and girls.

The Rug Rats are the most popular cartoon characters amongst 7-12 year old boys and girls. Older boys (13-16) prefer Beavis and Butthead.

BPD: 0171 603 8833