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Sky

One Poll

18 September 2009

REMOTELY INTERESTING
NEWS COPY
Forgetful Brits spend ONE MONTH of their lives looking for the television remote control, it emerged yesterday (Thurs).
The average telly viewer loses the zapper an average of 3.2 times a week and spends more than four minutes looking for it each time.
That means each week we spend 15 minutes hunting for the pesky little device - nearly 13 hours each year - or 31 DAYS during the average adult lifetime.
Kathryn Drought, of Sky, who carried out the study of 4,000 Brits to launch their Free Weekend Pass, said: ''The remote control is such a well-used item in the nation's homes.
''It's one of those things we're forever trying to find - normally down the back of the sofa.
''The average zapper goes through a lot in its life - from being lost under a table, or in with the kids' toys, to being found in the fridge.
''Television plays such a big part in our lives. It's not surprising who is in control of the remote is such a hot household topic.''
The study revealed that careless house-holders find the missing remote in a variety of places, including down the back of the sofa and under a cushion or seat.
But more unusual spots were also revealed, bizarrely inside the fridge, in the bin, kitchen cupboard or with the kids' toys.
The nationwide survey also revealed some remarkable remote control politics that go on inside the typical home.
Three in ten admitted hiding the remote from a partner or housemate and 17 per cent have thrown it at someone in a fit of 'remote rage'.
It also emerged households argued at least four times a month over the remote control, with football, channel hopping and soaps most likely to spark rifts.
One in five households argue over the remote when someone they can't stand appears on the TV - with Katie Price, Kerry Katona and Victoria Beckham the celebs most likely to make us switch channel.
A whopping 62 per cent said reality TV shows made them change channel.  Big Brother was voted most annoying programme, followed by Jeremy Kyle and X Factor.
Two thirds of respondents said men are more possessive about the remote than women.
and half said they felt much happier when they are in control of the remote.
The poll found Brits watch fours of TV a day, channel-hopping for at least eight minutes every hour.
The typical household has four remotes lying around the house and 60 per cent admitted it was the household item they lost most often.
Top 10 LOST HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
1. Remote control
2. Car keys
3. Glasses
4. Wallet/purse
5. Clothes
6. Passport
7. Diary/Organiser
8. Shoes
9. CDs/DVDs
10. Bills
ENDS
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com