News Copy - By Grant Bailey
Having a preferred spot on the sofa, ‘owning’ the remote control and having a top of the range TV are among the signs you are a TV addict, according to research.
Researchers who carried out a detailed study found more than four in 10 of the population consider themselves a telly addict.
Among the other traits to keep an eye out for include talking about your favourite TV shows all the time, having a TV package which is the envy of your friends and frequently staying up until the early hours to cram in ‘one more’ episode.
Getting involved in online discussions about the show you’re currently watching and planning your week around your TV plan are also tell-tale signs.
It also emerged four out of 10 of the nation now watch more TV than they have done at any other point in their lives.
And 54 per cent who took part in the study to celebrate the launch of the new Virgin TV Ultra HD channel said they are convinced we are amid a ‘golden age’ of television.
David Bouchier, chief digital entertainment officer of Virgin Media, said: “We’re spoilt with an amazing choice of top telly shows from the likes of Breaking Bad, Blue Planet, The Walking Dead, and up to today’s Bodyguard - we’re truly enjoying a ‘Golden Age’ of television.
“Viewers have never had it better with the best TV shows being available in the best picture quality - 4K ultra high definition. It really is the next best thing to being there.”
A quarter of Brits have upgraded their television set-up so they could watch their favourite shows in the best possible quality.
And one in four say it now ‘annoys’ them when they’re forced to watch something in standard definition.
But despite TV looking better than ever, the 80s was named the decade which produced the best comedy shows and sitcoms, with shows such as Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder and The Young Ones making their debut.
But this decade has produced the greatest drama shows on TV, such as Game of Thrones, Line of Duty and Stranger Things, according to the survey conducted via OnePoll.com.
When asked to consider the iconic TV moments they would like to relive in 4K Ultra HD, the 1969 grainy black and white footage of Neil Armstrong’s ‘one small step for man’ was the most popular choice.
Del Boy’s classic comedy fall through the bar in Only Fools and Horses (1989) and England’s 1966 Football World Cup victory are also moments we’d like the opportunity to see in perfect clarity.
Audrey Hepburn was named the celebrity most people would like see in 4K Ultra HD quality, followed by Scarlett Johansson and Johnny Depp.
David Bouchier added: “With Virgin TV Ultra HD we’re offering our customers the ultimate TV viewing experience.
“Tune in every night for a brilliant line up of must-see shows from critically acclaimed dramas, to beautifully shot wildlife and nature documentaries, to the front-row feeling of a rock concert from the biggest names in music – all in stunning 4K Ultra HD.”
Virgin TV Ultra HD is the UK’s first dedicated 4K ultra high definition entertainment channel and launches on Monday 17 September on channel 999 at 8.15pm.
TOP TRAITS OF A TV ADDICT:
1. You have a top of the range TV
2. Your channel package is the envy of your friends
3. Your TV forms the focal point of your living room.
4. You talk about your favourite shows all the time
5. You get involved in TV discussions online
6. You join groups on social media who talk about your favourite shows
7. You have a preferred spot on the sofa to watch from
8. You have total control over the remote control
9. You plan out what you are going to watch for the rest of the week
10. You lose sleep thinking about what is going to happen in the next episode
11. You have stayed up until a silly hour to watch your favourite show
ICONIC TV MOMENTS BRITS WANT TO SEE IN 4K ULTRA HD
1. The moon landing, 1969
2. Del Boy falls through the bar, Only Fools and Horses, 1989
3. England victory at 1966 World Cup final, 1966
4. David Attenborough's gorilla encounter, Life on Earth, 1979
5. ‘Fork Handles', The Two Ronnies, 1976
6. Basil hits his car with a branch, Fawlty Towers, 1975
7. The Queen's coronation, 1953
8. ‘Don't mention the war', Fawlty Towers, 1975
9. Opening Ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics, 2012
10. Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special, 1976
11. Blackadder Goes Forth finale, 1989
12. Fall of the Berlin Wall news coverage, 1989
13. David Bowie's appearance on Top of the Pops as Ziggy Stardust singing 'Starman', 1972
14. Princess Diana's funeral, 1997
15. Monty Python's ministry of silly walks, 1970
16. The wedding of Charles and Diana, 1981
17. Nelson Mandela being released from prison, 1990
18. Dirty Den hands Angie divorce papers on Christmas Day, EastEnders, 1986
19. Susan Boyle's performance, Britain's Got Talent, 2009
20. Who shot J.R?, Dallas, 1980
Find out more information about Virgin TV Ultra HD here: www.virginmedia.com/uhd
ENDS
