SCOTLAND is a nation of couch potatoes and we spend more time watching television than any other UK nation.
However, a report from regulator Ofcom said our viewing time has dropped by 16% since 2010.
Its survey showed that last year, Scottish viewers spent an average of 3 hours 46 minutes per day watching television – 24 minutes more than the UK average of 3 hours 23 minutes.
Despite this, we spent nine minutes fewer (-3.8%) watching TV than in 2016, and 46 minutes fewer (-16%) compared with 2010 – a decline that was even steeper amongst younger viewers.
Those aged four to 15 watched one hour and 27 minutes of broadcast TV each day, down from 2 hours 28 minutes in 2010 (-41%).
Similarly, 16 to 34-year-olds watched 2 hours 16 minutes of broadcast TV per day in 2017, compared with 3 hours 25 minutes in 2010 – a drop of 34%.
This means that over-55s in Scotland watched almost four times as much television per day than children last year.
The findings are part of Ofcom’s Media Nations: Scotland 2018 report, a comprehensive analysis of trends in the television, radio and audio sectors published today.
Although Scots are watching less television, they spend more time watching other things on the box with daily viewing of non-broadcast content, such as YouTube and subscription on-demand services – including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video – increasing by three minutes (8%) in 2017, to 40 minutes.
BBC iPlayer was the most popular online streaming service in Scotland, with 47% claiming to have used it, followed by Netflix (39%) and the STV Player (31%).
Netflix, in particular, is popular with younger viewers and while 31% of adults said they used it at least once a week, this rises to 60% among 16-24s and 53% among 25-34s. It drops to just 8% of the 65+ age group.
Glenn Preston, Ofcom’s Scotland director, said the way people in Scotland watch TV is changing rapidly.
He said: “Broadcasters in Scotland must confront the challenges posed by both online streaming companies and the changing way people are watching television, to ensure they continue to make great shows to appeal to Scottish viewers in the digital age.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel