TV viewing remains one of the most popular forms of entertainment for Russians, occupying around half of their free time when not working or sleeping.
Quoting the findings of a study undertaken by MTS in 2018, Comnews reports that this amounts to 3 hours and 40 minutes a day, with a peak of 4 hours and 30 minutes recorded in February last year.
It adds that films and TV shows accounted for 43.2% of viewing, and kids channels, at 22.7%, being the next most popular.
Documentary and entertainment channels accounted for 12.2% and 11.8% respectively, with music (4%), sports (2.1%) and news, regional and adult channels claiming the remainder.
The time spent watching films and TV shows was 5.4pp up on 2017, while that for news and regional channels fell by 3.7% and 1.2% respectively.
Interesting, viewers on average switched channels seven times a day.
Meanwhile, Comnews notes that Akado Telekom viewing analysis also points to an increase in viewing time by its subscribers in 2018.
First Channel was the most watched service, followed by Rossiya 1 and high quality sports channels.
