New Zealanders last year spent more time than ever watching television, with the average person tuning in for three hours and 22 minutes a day, an industry body says.
Over the last year, almost 75 percent of the population -- or 2.95 million people -- watched television daily, and those tuned
in for 20 percent longer than they did in 2007, ThinkTV chief executive Rick Friesen said.
``We are seeing growth in all areas of television consumption across the major free-to-air channels,'' he said.
``Watching TV is a social activity that is entrenched as part of our daily dialogue.
``People become emotionally invested in what they watch and discussing their opinions on the finale of a series or the cliffhanger at the end of the show can become the topic of the day at the watercooler or with other fans on social media sites.''
Television had remained New Zealand's most popular medium for information, news and entertainment despite the rise of online media, Mr Friesen said.
