How lockdown is affecting Generation Z’s TV habits

More than a quarter polled watch Channel 4’s ‘Great British Bake Off’

Those aged 18-24 are using lockdown to learn new skills (Getty)

As the nation is plunged into tiered lockdowns, Generation Z’s TV habits are rapidly changing, according to a new survey. 

Those aged 18 to 24 have turned to cooking shows to find comfort as socialising with friends becomes harder once more. As a result, there’s been a spike in young people cooking and baking. 

A poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by online lettings agent Mashroom, reveals Gen Z have been glued to baking shows rather than any other genre of TV.

More than a quarter polled say they have been tuning into Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off.

The series has been so inspirational to them, nearly half say they have now taken up cooking - more than any other age group.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly are both turn-offs for the 18 to 24 age group with only nine per cent admitting they have been watching the ITV talent show and seven per cent tuning into BBC One’s flagship entertainment programme.

Instead, 14 per cent say they would rather watch repeats of Sex and the City, 15 per cent chose 'property porn’ favourite Selling Sunset, 11 per cent have been glued to Masterchef this year and a tenth have been watching Escape to the Chateau.

So important is cooking and baking, that kitchens are now the number one priority for renters and a posh one in 10 say they now want a larder in their property, while 21 per cent want a vegetable patch in their garden.

More than a third of those polled via OnePoll say their home isn’t big enough for their new hobbies while an incredible 74 per cent want to reconfigure their rental home to make space for their lockdown needs.

With different parts of the country being plunged into strict lockdown restrictions this winter, apart from cooking, Gen Zers are also planning to keep themselves busy with reading, watching TV  - and unlike other age groups, 19 per cent of them plan to learn a new language.

Stephan Dobrovolskiy, CEO of Mashroom, said: “This is an anxious time for all of us and as we are faced with a long winter lockdown, we all need to do what we can to get through the tough times ahead and offer each other the support that we need."

SWNS