One in seven people decide what to watch on TV from social media, according to new research from YouView.
The finding comes from the latest YouView census into national television habits for 2014, revealing the influence that Facebook and Twitter have on the nation’s TV viewing, and how Brits are using the platforms to discuss – and avoid talking about – their favourite shows.
The study found that while the nation loves to talk about TV on social media, a significant number of people (59%) are taking “evasive action” to avoid spoiling a programme that they are yet to catch up on.
27% said that they would keep away from social media to avoid spoiling a TV programme, 25% would not read newspapers, 7% would ensure their phones were switched off, 6% would avoid social gatherings and 6% would ignore emails.
When active on social media, 14% of Facebook users said that they always or often use the site to discuss the shows they’re watching, with the number rising to 16% for Twitter users.
The YouGov survey, which was conducted online with a sample size of 2,000, discovered that 4% of people talk about TV at least once a day on Facebook, with one in seven using the platform while watching TV.
Women were found to be more likely than men to always or often be on Facebook while watching TV – 41% and 28%, respectively.
When it comes to influencing the shows that people watch, friends and family were found to offer the most useful TV viewing advice, with around six in ten of respondents rating such people as “influential”, compared to 29% who said that TV critics influenced their TV viewing choices.
The study also revealed good news for UK TV producers, with 52% saying that they prefer “homegrown” British drama, compared to American and foreign language dramas.
“There has never been a greater choice of TV available to watch and more ways to watch it on, so it’s interesting to see how viewers are clearing a path through the maze of shows being aired,” said Susie Buckridge, director of product, YouView.
“Whether taking recommendations from social media or being influenced by family and friends, it appears the personal touch is the key to helping decide what’s worth turning on and what we should just switch off.”
