Contrary to the narrative that traditional television is dead, a comprehensive new study on UK media consumption trends in 2026 reveals a surprising reality: seven in ten UK adults (70%) still regularly watch live broadcast TV. The data challenges the assumption that streaming has completely replaced the living room screen.

This hybrid viewing behavior suggests that the future of British media is not a zero-sum game, but a complementary ecosystem where legacy broadcasters and digital streaming platforms must coexist to capture the full spectrum of audience attention.