If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you have in picking something to watch from a host of options these days, you’re not alone. A new survey out of the U.K. certainly rings true on our side of The Pond: adults there spend more than 100 days of their lives deciding on what to watch.
The survey of 2,000 Britons, which was commissioned by the cable service NOW, reveals adults will spend time flicking through eight TV channels and nine film titles before making a final decision.
This works out to an average of 24 minutes and 24 seconds spent deciding on TV shows and 25 minutes choosing movies — or 55 days across an adult lifetime for TV choices and 57 days trying to pick a movie.
As staggering as this may seem, it’s higher for people in the U.S. Vox reported back in 2019 that Americans spend 45 hours per year choosing what to watch next — and that was before Tiger King was a thing.
So using those numbers as an example, someone who’s 18 will spend 116 days deciding what to watch by the time they turn 80.
The UK survey also noted who usually makes up their minds for the house: women more commonly got the final say.
That said, 41% “shop” for a show or movie by genre, 37% look to who’s in it, and 28% say the length of the movie is a key factor. Similarly, 23% said a TV show’s length influences their decision.
Another thing you may have in common with your British counterparts? Forty-mine percent in that U.K. survey say they get so overwhelmed with deciding what to watch that they ultimately decide to not watch anything.
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Met Gala 2024: Memorable looks from fashion’s biggest night
May 6, 2024
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesCelebrities served their best fashion looks on the 2024 Met Gala red…
Citing mental health, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announces she is resigning title
May 6, 2024
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images2023 Miss USA pageant winner Noelia Voigt announced Monday that she had…
Jennifer Lopez on touring with kids, Met Gala gown: “It’s not about comfort”
May 6, 2024
ABC NewsJennifer Lopez will walk the red carpet at the 2024 Met Gala on May 6, and while she's…
Vin Diesel’s ‘Riddick’ sequel about to blast off
May 6, 2024
'Riddick' - Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentVin Diesel's next adventure as the night…
Britney Spears denies “breakdown” reports: “I wish my life was as wild as it has been portrayed!!!”
May 6, 2024
Britney Spears took to Instagram on May 6 to state once and for all that she did not have a…
Taylor Swift has now been #1 for a “Fortnight,” but her 14-spot Hot 100 domination shrinks to three
May 6, 2024
Beth Garrabrant"Fortnight" means two weeks, and that's officially now long Taylor Swift's song of…
Tracy Morgan to star in ‘The Neighborhood’ spin-off ‘Crutch’ for Paramount+
May 6, 2024
Paul MobleyLegendary comedian Tracy Morgan will star in the title role of a forthcoming Paramount+…
Ed Sheeran explains why he gave a #1 hit to Justin Bieber
May 6, 2024
ABC/Paula LoboIn 2015, Justin Bieber topped the chart with "Love Yourself," which was co-written by…