KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders spent more time than ever before watching television last year - an average of three hours and eight minutes a day.
The new record average of 188 minutes in 2008 was up 8.6 per cent on 2007, and compared with the average of 167 minutes a decade ago, in 1999.
"This is the highest level of television viewership achieved in New Zealand since records began," said Rick Friesen, chief executive of the Television Broadcasters' Council. The previous record was 176 minutes set in 2006.
Not only was each viewer watching more television, but there were also more viewers: 3,924,400 people watched television last year, compared to 3,824,600 in 2007.
On average, 35.6 per cent of the entire population over the age of five years was watching television during the peak viewing period of 6pm to 10.30pm, an increase of 4.7 per cent over 2007. According to the council's website, viewing is highest on Saturday and Sunday but it said in a statement that on average 2,452,600 people tuned in to television at some point each evening, up from 2,360,400 in 2007.
"New Zealand has never been better served by its broadcasters, and the public is proving that by watching television in record numbers," said Mr Friesen.
Separate New Zealand research has previously shown links between excessive television viewing in childhood and adverse effects on health and behaviour.
A longitudinal study of 1000 people born in Dunedin in 1972 and 1973 showed those who watched too much television during childhood and adolescence were more likely to leave school without qualifications and less likely to gain a university degree.
Television viewing between the ages of five and 11 years was a stronger predictor for failing to gain a degree, and the viewing habits of teenagers from 13 to 15 years was more closely linked to leaving school without qualifications.
The study, led by the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, concluded excessive television viewing in childhood could harm a person's educational achievement and their socioeconomic status and well-being as adults.
Over 20 per cent of children in the study watched more than 180 minutes of TV each schoolday, and another 40 per cent watched more than 120 minutes.
- NZPA
