News Copy
One in five Brits admit they have pulled an all-nighter to binge-watch their favourite TV box set, a new study has found.
Researchers who polled 2,000 UK adults found many are so desperate to find out what happens next, they’ll stay up, bleary-eyed into the early hours watching one episode after another.
It also emerged life’s stresses seem to get the better of some, with four in 10 saying they watch their favourite TV box set to 'escape' or relax after a long day at work.
The stats emerged in a study by NOW TV to launch its 'Box Set Sabbatical' - a chance for one TV fan to win £35,000 so they can afford to take a year off work to watch box sets.
Emma Quartly of NOW TV, said: "It’s testimony to the UK’s love of great telly that people have pulled all-nighters to binge-watch their favourite shows!
"Time-poor Brits simply don’t have enough hours to juggle a job, social life AND stay up to date with all the must-watch TV.”
The study also revealed the average adult has just 100 minutes of free time a day, outside of work and household chores, leaving them little time to keep up with their favourite TV shows.
As a result, one in 10 has squeezed in an episode during their work lunch break – while one in 20 has pulled a sickie to watch TV.
If money and time was no object, a third of Brits admit they would take a paid sabbatical from work – a quarter of whom said they would spend it at home chilling out.
During this sabbatical, one in 10 would use it as an opportunity to catch up on the TV shows they had missed due to work and social obligations.
Game of Thrones is the show Brits would most like to binge-watch, followed by The Sopranos and The Walking Dead.
But tense Brits are left feeling irritated by spoiler alerts – as one in five consider ‘spoiling’ a TV show to be a worse social faux pas than forgetting a friend’s birthday.
For this reason, one third of those polled via OnePoll, said they preferred to watch a TV show as soon as it comes out.
Emma Quartly of NOW TV, said: “Our research showed one in seven Brits are spending their holidays catching up on telly, so today we launched the NOW TV Box Set Sabbatical, a chance for one TV fan to win £35,000 to make everyday a duvet day and spend the year catching-up on box sets.”
Comedian Joel Dommett who will be part of the judging panel who selects the winner of the NOW TV Box Set Sabbatical, added: “For anyone who loves telly, this really is the most unbelievable gig.
"Sitting with my feet up watching my favourite shows AND getting paid for the privilege is something I quite literally dream of.”
* To be in with a chance of winning, submit a video or image showing why you deserve to win this ultimate gig via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or at www.nowtv.com/bss before midnight on Thursday 14th February 2019.
Top 10 signs you are a boxset binger:
1. Stay up all night to finish a season
2. Lie to friends and family about plans
3. Cancel plans with friends or family
4. Make an excuse to leave work early
5. Take a sickie from work
6. Cancel a date
7. Accidentally miss a stop on public transport
8. Skip a doctor’s appointment
9. Skip a job interview
10. Forget to pick up kids from school
ENDS
