Britons have been watching almost 2-1/2 hours more television a week this year as cash-strapped people stay at home more -- and because there's more to watch, figures showed on Tuesday.

本周二公布的数据显示，今年英国人每周看电视的时间增加了约两个半小时，一方面是因为经济拮据使人们待在家里的时间增多，而另外一方面则是因为可看的电视节目更多了。

Britons have been watching almost 2-1/2 hours more television a week this year as cash-strapped people stay at home more -- and because there's more to watch, figures showed on Tuesday.

Official statistics（官方统计） from The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board's updated measurement panel (BARB) showed Britons watched 30 hours and 4 minutes of TV a week during the first three months, or more than four hours a day.

The increase was attributed to（归因于） greater choice, with 94 percent of households（家庭） now accessing digital TV; a rise in on-demand services which allow people to watch programs they have missed; and the economic recession.

"Anyone who doubted the continuing importance and popularity of broadcast TV in the UK should hopefully be convinced（心悦诚服，相信） by these new figures," said Tess Alps, chief executive of Thinkbox, the marketing¹ body for commercial TV in Britain.

"However, record levels are unlikely to continue. We are nearing the peak, if we are not there already. Once analog² signals（模拟信号） are finally turned off in 2012, the figures are likely to stabilize³, but hopefully will remain at these high levels."