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Can you consider watching TV to be a pastimes? New research released today by subscription-free TV service YouView reveals out TV watching habits. A huge one in four of us admitted to spending at least a quarter of our day watching television following the national survey which looked in to the nations television viewing habits.

The survey also revealed we tend to be a nation of Ruthless Removers, with over two thirds of Brits (70%) deleting shows from their TV box immediately after watching them.

Working together with leading behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, the study showed that it is not just what we watch that reflects our personality, but how we watch it.

The study identified five types of television viewer (and what each of them say about us) which are:

RUTHLESS REMOVER (organised) – 70% of Brits delete tv as soon as they have viewed it

SELF-INDULGERS (self-indulgent) – A quarter of Brits record TV in bulk to watch all in one go

DEMANDERS (spontaneous) – One in six watch over 5 hours of on-demand TV a week

FOMO’s: Fear of missing out (in the know) – One in seven rarely watch on-demand TV preferring to watch it live

MULTI-TASKERS (sociable) – 25% converse on social media whilst watching television

In-depth viewer personality details

RUTHLESS REMOVERS have been identified as the nation’s ‘top’ TV type as research reveals that 70% delete shows straight after viewing.  Those who fall into this category are likely to be fairly pragmatic viewers who are likely to be organised, tidy and clutter-free in everyday life.

In contrast, one in five (25%) of those surveyed were identified as SELF-INDULGERS, who record TV shows in bulk and only watch them once they have accumulated several episodes.  These people are likely to be self-indulgent, fastidious pre-planners in real-life, who like to have their calendars arranged months in advance and dislike doing things on the spur-of-the-moment.

Almost one in six (15%) of those surveyed watch more than five hours of on-demand TV each week and have been identified as DEMANDERS.  By nature, these viewers are said to be less organised than the Ruthless Removers, but more spontaneous in their approach to life than Self-Indulgers.

One in seven (14%) of those questioned by YouView admitted they rarely watch any TV on-demand, preferring instead to watch TV programmes live.  These viewers are seen to be part of the trend of those who enjoy instant gratification and suffer from a ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) and to that end have been identified as FOMOs.  These personalities never let any of the action pass them by, and like to be up-to-date on the latest news and gossip, as it happens.

Finally, a quarter (25%) of those questioned were identified as MULTI-TASKERS who actively tweet or update their Facebook status in relation to the show they are watching.  Almost one in 20 (4%) of those who post on their social networks do so at least four times during the course of a TV programme.  Such personalities are likely to pride themselves on having their fingers-on-the-pulse technology-wise, be keen multi-taskers and very likely to care about other people’s opinion.

Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings said, “There are now so many ways in which people can catch their favourite TV shows, whether live, on-demand or through catch-up services. Therefore, it will come as no surprise that we have developed particular viewing habits and patterns that tend to reflect our personalities in daily life. Of the five categories we have identified, it is reassuring to see so many of those surveyed fit the Ruthless Remover category, implying that we are an organised nation.”

I don’t know about you…but I don’t even have six hours to do other things I enjoy like sleep, let alone watch TV. 1 in 4 of you are so lucky.