The FINANCIAL — Earlier this month, a new study made headlines by suggesting that every hour spent watching television after age 25 will shorten a person’s lifespan by 22 minutes.
While just over half of adults admit to watching TV every day or nearly everyday, they overwhelmingly believe that Americans in general watch the tube too much.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 74% believe Americans watch too much television. Just 10% disagree, and 16% more are not sure.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say they watch TV every day or nearly every day. That’s down from 63% a year ago. Just nine percent (9%) of Americans say they rarely or never watch television.
While just over half of adults (51%) say are more likely to watch television with family and friends, a sizable number (43%) say they usually watch by themselves.
Only 28% of all Americans say they are more likely to eat snacks while their watching television.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 22-23, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
When it comes to what people are more likely to watch on television, a modest plurality (34%) says it’s the news.
In July 2009, 46% of Americans say they still consider network television news programs a more reliable source of news than the Internet. Early last year, 59% of voters planned to get most of their political news in 2010 from television.
Nineteen percent (19%) of adults say they are more likely to watch a regular drama or comedy series on TV, while 15% are more inclined to watch sports. Twelve percent (12%) say they are more likely to tune into movies than anything else on television, and eight percent (8%) prefer educational programs.
Only six percent (6%) of Americans say they are more likely to watch reality TV shows. Perhaps that’s because 77% believe reality shows portray the worst aspects of American society. Just five percent (5%) say most reality shows preject the best aspects of society, while another 18% are undecided.
Last September, 70% of Likely Voters in New Jersey believed the reality hit “Jersey Shore” has had a negative impact on the state’s image.
In June 2009, 42% of adults believed children were being exploited on the reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8."
Men and women over the age of 40 are more likely than those younger to think Americans watch too much TV. But most adults from all age groups say they tune in every day or nearly every day.
Adults with children at home are a bit more likely than those without children living with them to say Americans watch too much TV.
While pluralities of men and women say they are most likely to watch the news on TV, men put sports second, while women are more likely to watch a comedy or drama series.
Last December, most Americans said they still get their weather news from local television despite the variety of news sources available these days.
The majority (57%) of Americans think there is too much inappropriate content on television and radio.
www.rasmussenreports.com
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