More than one in four people believe that spending time in front of the television at home is one of the most important ways to socialise with loved ones, according to new figures published in UK.

A survey found that 26 per cent of people believe watching television, DVDs and Blu-rays is an important social interaction with friends and family. A YouGov Survey for the British Video Association found that 73 per cent of people now spend between one and six hours in front of a television screen.

It found that 50 per cent of people have invested in entertainment technology for their living room in the last two years and have bought HDTVs, video game consoles, Blu-ray players and cable, satellite and HD services.

BVA director general Lavinia Carey said: “Improvements in home entertainment technology over the last few years have increased the appeal of that cinema experience in our own living rooms.”