Viewers believe a new Golden Age of TV has arrived

Poll finds UK viewers believe we are living in a ‘Golden Age’ of television.

Big Brother has been part of the TV landscape for the past eighteen years.

“I would argue that the majority of viewers who watched TV in the fifties and sixties have sadly passed away so it is likely that current viewers will prefer television now over clips of what they’ve seen from decades ago. The picture quality might be better, but with things like Big Brother and Love Island the quality of the content at times is certainly debatable.” – TV Critic Vivian Summers

We are living in a ‘Golden Age’ of television, according to British viewing public a study into the quality of TV through the decades has revealed 54 per cent of avid telly viewers believe it has never been a better time to have square eyes.

Forty-seven per cent even went as far as to say the quality of TV shows broadcast in the last five years are of the highest quality they have ever been. For 42 per cent of viewers, the leap in technology means special effects look more realistic and spectacular than ever before. And the poll of 2,000 TV fans found 37 per cent are drawn to the box more than ever thanks to improved picture quality and 4K ultra high definition – which is four times the quality of HD.

A third also believe the improvement is down to better writers and A-list acting talent getting involved in small screen projects. The poll was commissioned to celebrate the launch of the new Virgin TV Ultra HD channel on Monday (17th Sept).

Only Fools and Horses, repeating on UKTV’s Gold channel currently proves timeless for viewers.

Despite TV looking better than ever, the 1980s was named the decade which produced the best comedy shows and sitcoms, with shows such as Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder and The Young Ones making their debut. And all repeated on UKTV in the past few years. But this decade has produced the greatest drama shows on TV, such as Game of Thrones, Line of Duty and Stranger Things, according to the survey conducted via OnePoll.com.

As a result, a quarter has upgraded their television set-up so they could watch their favourite shows in the best possible quality. In fact, one in four Brits say it now ‘annoys’ them when they’re forced to watch something in standard definition, and 44 per cent would consider themselves a ‘telly addict’. When asked to consider the iconic TV moments they would like to relive in 4K Ultra HD, the 1969 grainy black and white footage of Neil Armstrong’s ‘one small step for man’ was the most popular choice.

Del Boy’s classic comedy fall through the bar in Only Fools and Horses (1989) and England’s 1966 Football World Cup victory are also moments we’d like the opportunity to see in perfect clarity. Audrey Hepburn was named the celebrity most people would like to see in 4K Ultra HD quality, followed by Scarlett Johansson and Johnny Depp.

“We’re spoilt with an amazing choice of top telly shows from the likes of Breaking Bad, Blue Planet, The Walking Dead, and up to today’s Bodyguard – we’re truly enjoying a ‘Golden Age’ of television. Viewers have never had it better with the best TV shows being available in the best picture quality – 4K ultra high definition. It really is the next best thing to being there.” – David Bouchier, chief digital entertainment officer of Virgin Media

England’s 1966 World Cup victory is something viewers would like to see in a high-quality format.

Virgin TV Ultra HD is the UK’s first dedicated 4K ultra high definition entertainment channel and launches on Monday 17th September on channel 999 at 8.15pm. Find out more information about Virgin TV Ultra HD here: www.virginmedia.com/uhd