What do we
watch and when?
Discover the nation's viewing habits
Comedy is the UK’s top genre for many scenarios
Comedy is the UK’s top genre for many scenarios
We all love to laugh
It comes as no surprise that comedy is the top genre we pick in a variety of situations. Whether we’re unwell, bored, or just want to relax, we tend to opt for something to lift our spirits and make us giggle uncontrollably.
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, comedy is a safe bet as one in five viewers choose to put on a funny film when they’re feeling down (22%). Likewise, 11% of our surveyed viewers try to cure their hangover by watching a comedy. For those that are going through a breakup, 14% try to cheer themselves up with a film or show that will make them laugh. However, some prefer to indulge in the blues with rom-coms being the second most popular genre to watch during a breakup, followed by the romance category itself.
We all love to laugh
It comes as no surprise that comedy is the top genre we pick in a variety of situations. Whether we’re unwell, bored, or just want to relax, we tend to opt for something to lift our spirits and make us giggle uncontrollably.
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, comedy is a safe bet as one in five viewers choose to put on a funny film when they’re feeling down (22%). Likewise, 11% of our surveyed viewers try to cure their hangover by watching a comedy. For those that are going through a breakup, 14% try to cheer themselves up with a film or show that will make them laugh. However, some prefer to indulge in the blues with rom-coms being the second most popular genre to watch during a breakup, followed by the romance category itself.
Laughter isn’t just the best medicine
12% of viewers picked comedy as one of the two top choices for a first date, alongside romance movies. Interestingly, 8% of viewers couldn’t decide between comedy or romance and picked rom-coms as their first date choice! It seems like love and laughter have a lot in common when it comes to setting the mood.
Comedy is not the most popular category for every situation, however. According to our survey when looking for something to binge-watch, nearly one in five viewers choose drama, followed by true crime and thriller shows. Likewise, when we’re watching TV together with a partner or spending a rainy day inside, drama is the most preferred option.
Laughter isn’t just the best medicine
12% of viewers picked comedy as one of the two top choices for a first date, alongside romance movies. Interestingly, 8% of viewers couldn’t decide between comedy or romance and picked rom-coms as their first date choice! It seems like love and laughter have a lot in common when it comes to setting the mood.
Comedy is not the most popular category for every situation, however. According to our survey when looking for something to binge-watch, nearly one in five viewers choose drama, followed by true crime and thriller shows. Likewise, when we’re watching TV together with a partner or spending a rainy day inside, drama is the most preferred option.
Background noise
Sometimes we’re not even watching the TV and we’ll pop on something to play in the background while we’re busy doing something else.
For those that put on the TV while they’re working from home, news is the most popular choice, followed by documentaries and comedy. For those that want a bit of background noise while doing housework and other chores, news is again the most popular, but this time it’s followed by musicals and comedies.
Background noise
Sometimes we’re not even watching the TV and we’ll pop on something to play in the background while we’re busy doing something else.
For those that put on the TV while they’re working from home, news is the most popular choice, followed by documentaries and comedy. For those that want a bit of background noise while doing housework and other chores, news is again the most popular, but this time it’s followed by musicals and comedies.
What do we watch when we're all together
For many of us, watching TV is a daily occurrence and according to our survey, we often class it as a social activity. Nearly three quarters (72%) of our respondents consider watching TV with their family as family time. But do our genre choices change depending on which family members we’re watching TV with?
Out of those who watch TV or films during family time with other adults, comedy is the most popular choice (11%), followed by drama (9%) and thriller (7%). However, as expected, the results differ when children are present. In first place, a quarter of families watch animation (25%), with comedy and superhero films coming next, both at 10%.
What do we watch when we're all together
For many of us, watching TV is a daily occurrence and according to our survey, we often class it as a social activity. Nearly three quarters (72%) of our respondents consider watching TV with their family as family time. But do our genre choices change depending on which family members we’re watching TV with?
Out of those who watch TV or films during family time with other adults, comedy is the most popular choice (11%), followed by drama (9%) and thriller (7%). However, as expected, the results differ when children are present. In first place, a quarter of families watch animation (25%), with comedy and superhero films coming next, both at 10%.
What do people of the UK generally watch the most?
What do people of the UK generally watch the most?
Comedy may rank first when asked about particular situations, but when it comes to what we actually watch the most, it seems Brits just love a bit of drama in our lives. According to our research for 22% of us, drama is the genre we generally watch the most of, followed by comedy (17%) and thriller (15%). In the words of Pam from Gavin & Stacey, “It’s all the drama, Mick. I just love it!”.
Drama might be the first choice for many of the cities surveyed, but it is in fact Plymouth that seem to love drama more than anywhere else. A third of Plymouth residents say they watch drama the most (33%), and can you blame them? From Peaky Blinders to Bridgerton, there’s plenty of great drama options to pick from!
Comedy may rank first when asked about particular situations, but when it comes to what we actually watch the most, it seems Brits just love a bit of drama in our lives. According to our research for 22% of us, drama is the genre we generally watch the most of, followed by comedy (17%) and thriller (15%). In the words of Pam from Gavin & Stacey, “It’s all the drama, Mick. I just love it!”.
Drama might be the first choice for many of the cities surveyed, but it is in fact Plymouth that seem to love drama more than anywhere else. A third of Plymouth residents say they watch drama the most (33%), and can you blame them? From Peaky Blinders to Bridgerton, there’s plenty of great drama options to pick from!
Each year, Edinburgh is home to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a showcase of arts, humour and culture and is known for kickstarting the career of many comedians. It makes sense for this city to watch comedy the most, with over a quarter of the city’s residents calling it out as their favourite genre (27%).
On the other side of the country, it’s all about thrills. Bristol viewers opt for thrillers more than any other city, with more than a quarter of the city’s respondents preferring suspense and excitement in their watching habits (26%). Not only is this city the top fan of thrillers, Bristol also prefers action films more than any other city (16%). From car chases to plot twists, it seems Bristolians love to be kept on their toes.
Interestingly, Manchester residents also seem to love spookier genres. Not only is Manchester the second most popular city for Sci-Fi behind Sheffield, but they’re also in third place for horror, behind Sheffield and Newcastle. However, Mancunians do still love facts and real-world events, with the city being home to the top three viewers for news and top five for true crime.
Each year, Edinburgh is home to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a showcase of arts, humour and culture and is known for kickstarting the career of many comedians. It makes sense for this city to watch comedy the most, with over a quarter of the city’s residents calling it out as their favourite genre (27%).
On the other side of the country, it’s all about thrills. Bristol viewers opt for thrillers more than any other city, with more than a quarter of the city’s respondents preferring suspense and excitement in their watching habits (26%). Not only is this city the top fan of thrillers, Bristol also prefers action films more than any other city (16%). From car chases to plot twists, it seems Bristolians love to be kept on their toes.
Interestingly, Manchester residents also seem to love spookier genres. Not only is Manchester the second most popular city for Sci-Fi behind Sheffield, but they’re also in third place for horror, behind Sheffield and Newcastle. However, Mancunians do still love facts and real-world events, with the city being home to the top three viewers for news and top five for true crime.
on a spooky note
On a spookier note, horror is the most watched genre for Sheffield residents, while true crime is most popular in Norwich (both 22%). Although Sheffield residents may like jump scares, they also seem to be big fans of Sci-Fi, watching this genre more than any other city (16%). Norwich sticks with their preference for fact over fiction by also claiming the title of top city for enjoying documentaries (20%).
Is true crime more popular among women?
Can true crime help you sleep better at night? The memes flying about the internet seem to think so, with many people claiming they find true crime relaxing to watch!
Interestingly, our research finds this is more true for women than for men - 16% of women say they watch true crime the most, compared to just 8% of men. Overall, true crime has been picked as the fifth most popular genre to watch (13%).
Is true crime more popular among women?
Can true crime help you sleep better at night? The memes flying about the internet seem to think so, with many people claiming they find true crime relaxing to watch!
Interestingly, our research finds this is more true for women than for men - 16% of women say they watch true crime the most, compared to just 8% of men. Overall, true crime has been picked as the fifth most popular genre to watch (13%).
The reality TV shows the nation loves the most
When it comes to reality TV, Gogglebox is the nation’s favourite with 28% of respondents saying they tune in to watch their favourite armchair critics each week. In close second comes The Great British Bake Off, with 27% eyeing up the delicious creations of this year's batch of bakers.
While it’s close in the top three, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here places third (26%), although it may be more likely to put you off your food than make you hungry for more!
The reality TV shows the nation loves the most
When it comes to reality TV, Gogglebox is the nation’s favourite with 28% of respondents saying they tune in to watch their favourite armchair critics each week. In close second comes The Great British Bake Off, with 27% eyeing up the delicious creations of this year's batch of bakers.
While it’s close in the top three, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here places third (26%), although it may be more likely to put you off your food than make you hungry for more!
Streaming at home
With the amount of TV shows and films available to stream, it’s no surprise that many people prefer to stay at home. 48% of our respondents say having access to streaming services has reduced how often they go to the cinema.
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