Press Office

A multichannel christmas: Will more tv choice drive your family crackers?

3 December 2004

A YouGov poll commissioned as part of the Government’s Digital Awareness Campaign has found that, with digital television providing more programme choices than ever, almost one in six families predict they will have some form of disagreement over TV watching this Christmas.

However, help is at hand from leading psychologist Donna Dawson, who has devised a three-step survival plan to ensure that families make the most of the benefits offered by digital TV.

This festive season, a massive growth in the popularity of digital and satellite TV will see over 13 million UK homes enjoy a ‘multichannel’ Christmas. And, with over 270 channels of programming on offer, it appears TV is now emerging as a front-runner for family debate.

Psychologist Donna Dawson commented:

“Disagreeing over what television show to watch is another of our great Christmas traditions. And with digital television on the brink of entering every home, this greater choice could cause even more family disputes. However, to help keep the peace it appears from this survey that every family member needs to have a say in TV-viewing if the holiday period is to go smoothly. This may be as simple as Dad relinquishing sole control of the remote!”

Both men and women of all ages felt that bickering over what to watch would be more likely this Christmas due to the increased choice on offer. Yet it was adults aged between 18 and 30 who felt most strongly that their Christmas 2004 family viewing would end in disagreement. A quarter of that age group stated that, with more programming on offer than before, a row was likely to take place – this compared to less than 10% of the over 50s.

Some of Donna Dawson’s top tips for surviving and even avoiding the battle of the remote control this Christmas are:

• Get everyone to choose one programme they don’t want to miss this Christmas, write it down and pin your list to your fridge or somewhere else prominent in your home
• If any programmes clash, check to see if they will be repeated over the festive season – satellite and digital channels regularly show popular shows more than once
• Consider watching TV programmes that solicit active participation from the whole family - interactive quiz shows can be a great way for everyone to feel involved

The research also showed that, despite the belief that many young people dominate what the family watches over the festive season, it is parents, especially dad, who still rules the remote control, the gateway to getting the most from digital TV and interactive services. Only 15% of households allowed a son or daughter to ‘press the red button’ at Christmas – and a mere 2% let granny or granddad watch the programme of their choice.

For those considering a new TV in time for Christmas – think digital. Television is going completely digital so you should start thinking about what digital switchover means for you today. Going digital can be simple and inexpensive, as in most cases you can adapt your current set. Or you can take the opportunity to upgrade your equipment. Look for the digital switchover logo for more information about digital products and services.

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More information about how digital television is changing the way we watch TV, visit www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk

Ends

For more information or to request an interview with Donna Dawson or a digital spokesperson, please contact Katy Evans, Lisa Tyrrell or Rhys Hurd on 020 7404 6777 / at digitaltelevision@harrisoncowley.com

Notes to Editors:

About the digital awareness campaign - This is a Government campaign, supported by industry, to raise consumer awareness of digital switchover.

About the research – The research was conducted by YouGov between 19th – 22nd November 2004. The sample size was 4118.

About the Digital Switchover Logo
The digital switchover logo was designed to indicate reliable sources of information about digital switchover and also products and services that meet certain industry-agreed technical criteria.
Essentially the purpose of the logo is to help consumers make the right choices about switchover.

The digital switchover logo was launched on September 16 and has wide-spread industry support and will be appearing in retail outlets and on digital TV equipment throughout the UK from December 2004.

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