VIEWERS in Northern Ireland have admitted to 'binge watching' TV - with eight in 10 adults revealing they watch multiple episodes of their favourites shows in just one sitting.
According to new figures from Ofcom, while watching live TV in Northern Ireland remains important, viewers are increasingly turning to catch-up and on-demand streaming services like Netflix.
As a result, the practice of watching multiple episodes back-to-back has become increasingly popular with 83 per cent of people in the north admitting they do and more than 30 per cent revealing they do it every week.
According to Ofcom's annual Communications Market Report 2017, almost 40 per cent of viewers have admitted that the temptation to watch another episode has cost them their sleep while more than a third said they engage in the activity because they fear someone else will spoil a programme's ending for them.
The report also found that on average, viewers spent just over three-and-a-half hours a day watching TV - more time than engaging in any other activity.
In additional, people spend an average of 20 hours a week online with younger children more likely to be online than the over 65s.
More than 70 per cent of the population turn on TV for the latest news followed by 12 per cent who turn on the radio and seven per cent who use websites and apps.
People also tuned in more to radio this year, spending an average of 20 hours per week listening to their favourite shows, an increase of 42 minutes on last year.
Research also found that three-quarters of adults in the north now own a smartphone while 60 per cent of households own a tablet.
A third of homes also have a smart TV, which is lower than the wider UK average but almost double what it was last year while almost four in five homes have a fixed-line broadband connection.
Jonathan Rose, Director of Ofcom Northern Ireland, said technology has "revolutionised the way we watch TV".
"The days of waiting a week for the next episode are gone with people finding it hard to resist watching multiple episodes around the house or one the move.
"But live-TV still plays a critical role as a provider of news. Despite the increasing popularity of websites and apps, it is still most important source of news for people in Northern Ireland".
He added: "Radio is a real stand out performer in this year's report. Nine in ten people in Northern Ireland tune in at least once a week and people here are also listening for longer.
"People in Northern Ireland are also much more likely to listen to local BBC and commercial radio than listeners in other parts of the UK. Some sixty per cent of all listening in Northern Ireland is to these stations. Local news and programming is obviously highly valued by listeners".
The Secret was the most watched TV show in Northern Ireland
THE drama telling the horrific story of a notorious double murder in Northern Ireland was the most watched programme in the north last year.
Around 490,000 people tuned in to watch the second last episode of The Secret - which starred James Nesbitt and Genevieve O'Reilly - on April 4, 2016.
The drama told the story of killer dentist Colin Howell and his lover Hazel Stewart, whose affair led to the murders of their spouses.
Of the 20 most watched programmes in Northern Ireland last year, six were from the European football championships in France with Northern Ireland's games against Wales and Germany, appearing at second and third on the list with 447,000 viewers and 427,000 viewers tuning in respectively.
Also making the top 20 were five reality TV shows, including I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here, Britain's Got Talent, The Great British Bake-Off, Strictly Come Dancing: The Final and The X-Factor.
Other shows which proved popular with viewers were Planet Earth II, Mrs Brown's Boys Live and Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special.
A Nolan Show Investigation, where 302,000 viewers tuned in on December 15 also made the top 20.
The show saw former DUP economy minister, Jonathan Bell break party ranks to call for First Minister Arlene Foster to apologise for how she handled the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
Top 20 most watched shows in Northern Ireland in 2016
Show Audience
The Secret 490,000
Euro 2016: Wales v NI 447,000
Euro 2016: NI v Germany 427,000
I'm A Celebrity 404,000
Euro 2016: Pol v NI 399,000
Euro 2016: Post Match 391,000
Britain's Got Talent 370,000
Coronation Street 355,000
Emmerdale 353,000
The Great British Bake-Off 339,000
Planet Earth II 328,000
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final 324,000
New Year's Eve Fireworks 324,000
The X Factor 323,000
Mrs Brown's Boys Live 322,000
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special 317,000
Euro 2016: Portugal v France 310,000
Mrs Brown's Boys 307,000
Euro 2016: Germany v Italy 303,000
A Nolan Show Investigation 302,000
