Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Daily TV viewing times up

Updated at 2:59 pm on 1 February 2012

More people watched more television last year on a daily basis than ever before.

A Nielsen survey has found more than three million people watched television every day for an average three hours and 22 minutes.

Even without the Rugby World Cup and the Royal wedding, ThinkTV chief executive Rick Friesen says there was an overall increase of tv watchers over the previous year.

He says an additional 55,000 watched on a regular basis.

Professor Des Gorman, former head of the University of Auckland school of medicine, says the survey proves people are heading towards more sedentary lifestyles, which can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Nielson surveyed about 1500 people over their viewing habits.

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