– By Gemma Francis
Only Fools and Horses, Friends and Blue Planet are among the TV shows Brits are most likely to watch on repeat, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 87 per cent have re-watched their favourite episodes of a TV show several times after stumbling across them on TV channels or streaming services.
And 45 per cent even admitted to viewing an entire series or box set from start to finish again, despite knowing exactly how it ends.
Only Fools and Horses is the most popular show to watch on repeat, followed by World War II sitcom Dad’s Army and American comedy Friends.
Blackadder, Mr Bean, The Simpsons and Top Gear also featured in the top 10.
The study, commissioned by Brightcove, also found seven in 10 believe the rise of streaming services means it’s easier than ever to watch old programmes again.
And 37 per cent reckon they are now more likely to stream a TV series from the past than watch a new programme airing on TV.
It also emerged almost one in five adults will happily pay £13.91 a month to access a streaming service which specialised in a particular subject, with football the most popular.
A stream dedicated to Love Island-themed videos would also be popular along with travelling, the royal family and the Beckhams.
Mark Blair, from Brightcove said: “There was a time when re-watching our favourite TV show was only possible if we bought the box set on DVD.
“But thanks to the huge number of TV channels we now have and the rise of streaming services, many shows we once loved but thought we’d never see on our screens again are only a click away to watch whenever we want.
“It even means popular shows from the 80s and 90s are now being viewed by a whole new audience, many of which weren’t even born when they were first aired.
“Our research also reveals an appetite for a streaming service which not only shows our old favourites, but that also allows us to watch shows about our most loved hobbies and interests.
“Imagine a channel where you could always watch a show about The Beckhams or football.
“There are many untapped niches and interests Brits want to binge on.”
More than half of those polled said streaming services now mean they watch their old favourites whenever they want, with the average adult spending almost six hours a week viewing TV shows online.
And in the last month alone, sitcom fans have watched three episodes of a TV show they have seen before.
Fawlty Towers is among the programmes people are most likely to watch, despite having seen it before, along with The Inbetweeners, Men Behaving Badly and Gavin and Stacey.
The Office, Little Britain, Family Guy and Game of Thrones are also shows likely to be watched on repeat.
Other programmes to feature in the top 50 include Sex and the City, South Park and Will and Grace.
It also emerged 46 per cent reckon they would be lost without streaming services, with 15 per cent even admitting to turning down an invite to a social event because they were so engrossed in a series they were watching online.
And more than one in 10 have streamed a show while in the bath and the same number have tuned into a TV show online while on the toilet.
Top 50 TV shows Brits watch on repeat
1. Only Fools and Horses
2. Dad’s Army
3. Friends
4. Fawlty Towers
5. Blackadder
6. Mr Bean
7. The Inbetweeners
8. The Simpsons
9. The Good Life
10. Top Gear
11. Blue Planet
12. Big Bang Theory
13. Men Behaving Badly
14. Gavin and Stacey
15. Absolutely Fabulous
16. The Office
17. Last of the Summer Wine
18. Little Britain
19. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
20. Frasier
21. Doctor Who
22. Family Guy
23. Come Dine with Me
24. Benidorm
25. Game of Thrones
26. Miranda
27. Location, Location, Location
28. American Dad
29. Sex and the City
30. Harry Enfield and Chums
31. Two and a Half Men
32. Alan Partridge
33. South Park
34. How I Met Your Mother
35. Life on Mars
36. SpongeBob Square Pants
37. Will and Grace
38. Peep Show
39. Scrubs
40. The A -Team
41. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
42. The Fast Show
43. Everybody Loves Raymond
44. Desperate Housewives
45. Peaky Blinders
46. Don’t Tell the Bride
47. Shameless
48. Skins
49. Luther
50. Grey’s Anatomy
Top 10 topics Brits would most like to be able to access 24/7
1. Football
2. Love Island
3. Travelling
4. The royal family
5. Cooking and baking
6. Rugby
7. DIY
8. Money and finances
9. Shopping
10. Arts and crafts
ENDS
