Survey: 80% of UK TV owners use their TV to stream
September 28, 2026



Survey data from Expert Reviews’ 2026 TV Awards has revealed that the majority of UK TV owners are using their TV for streaming, more than they use it to watch live broadcasts.

A significant majority of UK-based respondents (80 per cent) say they use their TV to stream films and TV shows, whereas 64 per cent use it to watch live broadcast TV. Even fewer (55 per cent) say they watch live sports on their television.


This data reveals that streaming is currently dominating TV viewing choices compared to live broadcasting amongst UK audiences. Meanwhile, the least popular uses for TV are browsing the web (12 per cent), listening to music (29 per cent), and gaming (31 per cent).

What does the UK use their TV for?

Streaming films and TV shows: 80 per cent

Watching live broadcast TV: 64 per cent

Watching live sports: 55 per cent

Watching YouTube: 50 per cent

Gaming: 31 per cent

Listening to music: 29 per cent

Browsing the web: 12 per cent

Could streaming replace live broadcast TV in the UK?

Expert Reviews’ data highlights just how close the competition between streaming and live broadcast television is, and one that streaming is currently winning.

However, according to Ofcom’s latest Media Nations Report, UK audiences are just as likely to turn to Netflix as they are the BBC when deciding what to watch, suggesting that despite streaming’s soaring popularity, people are still tuning into major live broadcasting companies.

While a future where streaming totally replaces live broadcast TV seems unlikely, Expert Reviews’ data shows how streaming, a relatively young form of media viewing, has become a worthy contender against the UK’s live broadcast television – a contender that could continue to influence UK audiences and shape the UK media landscape in years to come.

Northerners watch more TV than Southerners

The survey data also found that the majority of UK respondents surveyed spend 15-20 hours per week watching TV – that’s about the equivalent of two full working days spent in front of a TV screen.

However, respondents across Northern regions of the UK were found to watch more television than respondents based in Southern UK regions.

Over a third (35 per cent) of Northerners admitted to watching over 21 hours of TV each week, compared to 30 per cent in Southern UK regions. This data highlights an interesting regional TV viewing difference between the North and South of the UK.

Deputy Editor of Expert Reviews, Andy White, commented: “Despite an increasing number of viewers turning to streaming platforms for content, there’s still plenty of appetite for live television. This is evident in the success of services like Freely, which offer a combination of live and on-demand content. That’s good news for UK broadcasters and suggests an all-streaming future may not come as soon as some have predicted.

“I was slightly surprised to see that a fifth of UK respondents still watch more than two hours of TV a day. With mobile devices always on hand to deliver much of the same content that’s available on TV, I expected this figure to be lower. But it shows that consumers still value a larger-screen viewing experience, and I imagine that many, including myself, still see TV watching as a communal event.”

Tom Lord, Product and Consumer Manager for TV at Hisense UK, added: “With 80 per cent of the nation using their TV to stream films, having the right technology in the living room has never been more important to make the most out of that content and create a truly cinematic experience. At Hisense, we’re seeing a growing number of consumers looking to upgrade to larger screens and flagship technologies such as RGB MiniLED, which delivers unmatched colour accuracy and an enhanced viewing experience through advanced processing features such as Dolby Vision 2. With 180Hz panels and built-in features such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, consumers can also play their favourite games directly from their Hisense TV, without the need for a console, which is great news for the 31% of the nation who use their TVs for gaming.”