Family favourites: the most popular TV shows at home

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There’s nothing better than some good family viewing that’s safe for all ages to enjoy. Here’s a look at the top ten shows that families like settle down on the sofa for, according to a Dalepak Family Living Report of 2,000 parents:

1. The X Factor

2. Britain’s Got Talent

3. Come Dine With Me

4. Top Gear

5. The News

6. EastEnders

7. Coronation Street

8. Dancing on Ice

9. Strictly Come Dancing

10. Emmerdale

The best thing about family TV in 2013 is that it’s not restricted to a strict time-slot any longer – gone are the days when, if you get home from work early and there’s nothing on for you and the kids, you have to wait around. With a TV service provider that incorporates an on demand service, like BT TV Packages for instance, you get access thousands of shows at a time that suits you. Family time is any time! But just what is it that makes for fun family viewing in the 21^st Century?

The classics

Family viewing will always include, somewhere, the following three things: cars, cooking and news. Maybe the latter isn’t as exciting but it just goes to show that some things will always capture the attention of the whole family.

We’ve had Masterchef, The Great British Bake Off and Britain’s Best Dish doing the rounds for foodies over the years but the ever-varied, hilarious and sometimes ridiculous Come Done With Me takes the number two spot in this list.

Top Gear will always be the definitive show for car enthusiasts but the three rogues presenting make sure that there are enough laughs to keep everybody interested.

Just as prevalent are soaps, like Coronation Street, which has been providing regular entertainment for all the family since 1960.

The talent competition

It’s no shock to see that today’s family viewing is all about the talent show. The excitement, glamour and make-it or break-it nature of these live programmes make them something that everybody feels involved in, because everybody has an opinion – who should have won last week? Who shouldn’t have been dropped? And don’t forget about the truly awful – those terrible singers and shameful dance acts make cringe-worthy but oh-so satisfying viewing.

With plenty to choose from and new shows like The Voice becoming as popular as ever, reality talent shows are here to stay for family TV.