(12/9/98)
LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - One in four young Britons would rather sacrifice their partner than part with their television set, a survey published on Wednesday said.
A straw poll of 18-30 year olds by Granada Home Technology showed that 24 percent would choose to kick out their partner if given the choice between their loved one and their TV.
The poll on leisure activities and spending also said the majority of people in Britain ranked watching TV as their most popular leisure activity, averaging 25 hours viewing a week.
Granada said that with an economic crisis looming on the horizon, dining out, which can cost anything from an average of four to ten pounds ($6.64-$16.59) per hour, could fall away in favour of an evening with the telly at a mere 55 pence an hour.
High-maintenance and high-cost partners are at risk of being ditched in favour of a quiet night in watching TV, Granada said.
Subliminal advertising during prime-time programmes was also considered to be a factor.