According to the Globe and Mail, Canadians watched an average of 30 hours of TV in 2017. Not surprising considering we are in the ‘golden age of TV’. But is all that TV watching good for us? Well, like most things, it’s all about balance. But in case you were feeling bad about your TV binge-watching, let us alleviate some of your concerns. Television is a powerful medium that often brings families together. In this blog, we explore the importance of watching TV with family and the surprising benefits it offers.

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1. Educational TV Benefits

Watching Television offers numerous educational benefits for both children and adults. It serves as an effective learning tool, whether in the classroom or at home. With our wide range of TV channels, you can discover the perfect blend of educational programming for yourself and your children. Examples include Book Television, the Science Channel, and the Discovery Channel.

2. Stay Current

Television is not just a source of entertainment; Keeping us connected to the world is a vital part of watching TV. It’s your window to stay informed about what’s happening in your city through local news. Moreover, international news programs keep you up to date with breaking events worldwide. In an age of increasing concern over global warming, the weather channel has become indispensable, providing critical information about tornado warnings, hurricanes, and more. So, whether you are watching TV with family or staying informed on your own, television is your ally in staying connected and well-prepared for what’s ahead.

3. Broaden Your Cultural Horizons

Television is your gateway to the world, offering an affordable means of exploring diverse cultures without leaving your home. It’s a wonderful way to introduce your family to the cultural richness of our planet through the simple act of watching TV together.

Discover the beauty of our world by tuning in to a new season of BBC’s “Planet Earth.” Let the stunning images on the screen transport you to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. This is just one of the many advantages of television, making it a valuable tool for cultural enrichment. So, whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly escape or an educational adventure, television is your passport to a world of cultures and experiences.

4. Embrace the Fun of TV Fandoms

Television has a unique way of making you and your family feel like part of an exclusive group, allowing you to immerse in captivating subcultures. With the rising quality of TV shows, our skills in watching TV have evolved. We’ve become keen observers, noticing intricate details, and showrunners have grown more creative, crafting clever plot twists.

Television fosters a sense of belonging as enthusiasts gather in fandoms to discuss their beloved shows, forming subcultures that revolve around appreciating favourite shows and characters. As David Carr highlighted in An article in the New York Times “The vast wasteland of television has been replaced by an excess of excellence”. It’s a world where keeping up with the abundance of remarkable shows can be both thrilling and challenging.

So, whether you’re exploring mysteries, fantasy realms, or gripping dramas, television brings you together with like-minded enthusiasts, enhancing the fun of watching TV with family and diving into captivating subcultures centred on your cherished shows.

5. Feel the Connection

Watching TV with family offers a unique opportunity to nurture a profound sense of connection. It goes beyond mere entertainment, acting as a bridge that brings you closer to friends and loved ones.

In a study featured in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, viewers reported a significant reduction in loneliness when immersed in their favourite TV shows. Beyond alleviating solitude, specific shows, news events, or sports games possess the remarkable ability to unite people with a shared purpose. A remarkable example is the 2019 Raptors victory when communities joined together to celebrate a common goal.

Embrace the importance of television as a powerful tool for family bonding and shared experiences. It’s a medium that transcends screens, fostering connections that make every moment together memorable and heartwarming.

6. Strengthening Family Ties

Family bonding is one of the remarkable advantages of television. When you come together as a family to enjoy a television program, it’s a precious opportunity for everyone to connect and unwind. Bonding over a favourite TV show creates moments that turn into lifelong memories.

Watching TV with family isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about sharing experiences and creating lasting connections. It’s a simple yet beautiful way to build stronger family ties and cherish the moments that truly matter.

7. Learn a Language

Expose you and your family to new languages you want to learn. A great way to help learn a new language is to watch TV shows in the foreign language you are interested in learning. Many people all over the world learn English through American TV shows.  Listening and reading subtitles is an great way to passively learn.

8. Mental Health

There are many health benefits to watching TV.  If a certain show makes you laugh there are health benefits to that. Laughter is the best medicine!  If you decide to watch TV while you are exercising, this can provide a distraction allowing you to do cardio for a longer period of time.  A study from the University of Rochester found that people are more energetic after watching nature scenes.

9. Cost-Efficient Entertainment

Television offers an economical means of entertainment. When you compare it to the expenses of going out to the movies or attending live shows, it’s undeniably the budget-friendly choice.

Watching TV with family isn’t just a source of enjoyment; it’s a wise financial decision that allows you to have a great time without breaking the bank. It’s an accessible form of entertainment that suits various budgets, making it an ideal choice for family fun.

10. Fight Temptation

TV can improve your self control.  An interesting study by the University of Buffalo found that watching TV regularly can help maintain our ability to fight temptation.  The research psychologist that made this study found that watching a “familiar fictional world” helps people to control their impulses.  The social nature of watching your favourite TV show provides comfort which contributes to your ability to control your impulses.

11. Relieve Stress

TV can relieve your stress.  According to a study done at the University of California found that watching more TV can reduce your cortisol levels.  Cortisol is nick-named the “stress hormone”.  It is a cause for concern because it can increase weight gain, cholesterol and depression.  So if watching your favourite shows reduces this in anyway then its time to tune in to prime time TV.

12. Get Inspired

TV can inspire you or your kids to try new things or pick up a new hobby.  If kids, see their favourite characters engaged in activities they have never tried before they are more likely to want to try those things too! This can create more “unplugged” learning.  The same situation can happen for you, if your watching your favourite HGTV show about home renovations perhaps this will encourage you’re to crack open a can of paint and upgrade your home! Shows on HGTV can provide many different ideas to boost your home décor creativity. TV also provides an opportunity to learn about different occupations and can help inspire kids and adults to pursue new career avenues.

13. Inspiring a Love for Reading

Television has a way of igniting a passion for reading. When you come across a show that truly captivates you, it might pique your curiosity to delve deeper and discover that it was adapted from a book.

For instance, beloved series like “Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, and “Big Little Lies” by David E. Kelley all found their roots in literature. Watching TV provides captivating visuals that can enhance your reading experience, helping you visualize the words and stories within these books. It’s an example of how television can inspire a love for reading, turning the screen into a gateway to the world of literature.

In conclusion, the importance of watching TV with family goes beyond entertainment. It’s about connecting, learning, and creating cherished memories together. These benefits certainly opened our eyes and made us feel good about our decision to binge-watch the latest season of Letterkenny on Crave. If you are interested in our TV services check out our  TV page to learn more and find the channels that are right for you and your family! So, gather your loved ones and enjoy the benefits of family TV time.

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