Brits spend 2 months in one year watching TV

London, Mar 16 (ANI): People in Britain spend more than two months a year or 31 hours a week watching television, a new study claims.

The report, published by TV licensing, found that the average Briton consumed 28 hours of television on a traditional set a week, with a further three hours on a laptop, phone or other smaller screen, the Daily Mail reported.

The research also showed that the average home in Britain has more than two TV sets and at least one laptop.

Figures showed that the Royal Wedding in April was the most viewed programme on television in 2011, watched by 26.5 million people, and BBC's 'Frozen Planet' was the most watched programme on the broadcaster's internet service iPlayer.

According to the TeleScope 2012 viewing habit research, 91 per cent of all viewing was as it happened, with nine per cent via 'catch-up' services - up two per cent in a year.

It also found that online 'chatterboxing' - where viewers watch television and then talk about it online via social media like Twitter and Facebook - is on the rise.

A quarter of all adults say they had commented online or by text about shows they had seen.

Many under-35s who use social media said the discussion around a programme could make them view a show, with 17 per cent saying that the buzz could make them watch.

However, 19 per cent of the same group also said they had to watch shows as they happened rather than using any TV on demand devices because they were worried about reading spoilers from other people.

They also revealed that they went out of their way to avoid social media if they had missed a particular show.

Psychologist Corinne Sweet said chatterboxing was part of the human need to communicate with others.

"Wanting to communicate with others when you experience emotions such as sadness, entertainment, fear or awe is a part of the human condition.

"As television often prompts these feelings, it is not surprising that more of us are taking advantage of evolving technology to share our thoughts as we watch TV, even if we are home alone," Sweet said.

TeleScope 2012 showed that despite the march of new technology - with 700,000 3D sets among the 9.3 million flat screen sets sold last year - some people still relied on old school systems.

2011's most watched TV shows:

1. The Royal Wedding (26.5 million)

2. The X Factor Results (13.69 million)

3. The X Factor (13.37 million)

4. Strictly Come Dancing (13.34 million)

5. Britain's Got Talent Result (12.95 million)

6. I'm a Celebrity - GMOOH! (12.76 million)

7. Coronation Street (12.76 million)

8. Britain's Got Talent (12.70 million)

9. Downton Abbey (12.44 million)

10. EastEnders (11.42 million) (ANI)