Web sparks TV turn-off

UK consumers spend more time surfing the internet than watching the telly, according to new research.

The average person spends 3.5 hours per day surfing the web compared to 2.8 hours glued to the box, a survey commissioned by BT Yahoo! Broadband claims.

According to the NOP survey of 500 UK homes, nearly half of those surveyed (44 per cent) believed that the internet provided better news and entertainment than the TV.

Nine out of ten respondents said what they most liked about the internet was the ability to find information, followed by online shopping and chatting.

Duncan Ingram, managing director at BT Openworld, said: "The results of this survey demonstrates to what extent the internet has developed in a relatively short space of time. Given the breadth of information the net holds, it's little surprise that users are flocking to the PC, rather than the TV, as their prime source of information."