Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

How lockdown is affecting Generation Z’s TV habits

More than a quarter polled watch Channel 4’s ‘Great British Bake Off’

Gemma Francis
Friday 30 October 2020 17:28 GMT
Comments
Those aged 18-24 are using lockdown to learn new skills
Those aged 18-24 are using lockdown to learn new skills (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

As the nation is plunged into tiered lockdowns, Generation Z’s TV habits are rapidly changing, according to a new survey. 

Those aged 18 to 24 have turned to cooking shows to find comfort as socialising with friends becomes harder once more. As a result, there’s been a spike in young people cooking and baking

A poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by online lettings agent Mashroom, reveals Gen Z have been glued to baking shows rather than any other genre of TV.

More than a quarter polled say they have been tuning into Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off.

The series has been so inspirational to them, nearly half say they have now taken up cooking - more than any other age group.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly are both turn-offs for the 18 to 24 age group with only nine per cent admitting they have been watching the ITV talent show and seven per cent tuning into BBC One’s flagship entertainment programme.

Instead, 14 per cent say they would rather watch repeats of Sex and the City, 15 per cent chose 'property porn’ favourite Selling Sunset, 11 per cent have been glued to Masterchef this year and a tenth have been watching Escape to the Chateau.

So important is cooking and baking, that kitchens are now the number one priority for renters and a posh one in 10 say they now want a larder in their property, while 21 per cent want a vegetable patch in their garden.

More than a third of those polled via OnePoll say their home isn’t big enough for their new hobbies while an incredible 74 per cent want to reconfigure their rental home to make space for their lockdown needs.

With different parts of the country being plunged into strict lockdown restrictions this winter, apart from cooking, Gen Zers are also planning to keep themselves busy with reading, watching TV  - and unlike other age groups, 19 per cent of them plan to learn a new language.

Stephan Dobrovolskiy, CEO of Mashroom, said: “This is an anxious time for all of us and as we are faced with a long winter lockdown, we all need to do what we can to get through the tough times ahead and offer each other the support that we need."

SWNS

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in