Survey: 80% of UK TV Owners Use Their TV to Stream

New research from Expert Reviews’ 2026 TV Awards suggests streaming has become the most common use of televisions among UK audiences. 80% of respondents said they use their TV to stream films and TV shows, compared with 64% who use it to watch live broadcast television.

Live sport was watched on television by 55% of respondents, while 50% use their TV to watch YouTube. Other uses included gaming at 31%, listening to music at 29% and browsing the web at 12%. 

The survey also found that most respondents watch between 15 and 20 hours of television each week, equivalent to around two full working days. Only 1% said they did not watch any television during the week.

There were regional differences in viewing habits. 35% of respondents in Northern regions said they watched more than 21 hours of TV each week, compared with 30% in Southern regions.

Despite streaming's popularity, the findings indicate that live television continues to have a significant role. Expert Reviews noted the appeal of services such as Freely, which combine live and on-demand programming, suggesting viewers are continuing to use their televisions for a mixture of traditional broadcasting and internet-delivered content. 

The findings highlight the continuing shift in how UK households use their televisions, with streaming now a central part of the viewing experience alongside live broadcasting, sport and online video platforms.