Conventional wisdom says that traditional media is dying. There’s no doubt that print is down as audiences move online but mainstream broadcast (radio and TV) is enjoying a renaissance.

It’s a story that’ll have social media specialists spluttering into their skinny lattes this morning. But it’s an irrefutable fact. Brits are watching TV for more than a day each week: four hours and 18 minutes a day to be precise – according to Q1 figures issues by BARB this morning.

The actual number could be much higher. BARB doesn’t include content broadcast over the internet. It only tracks live programmes that are watched as they are being broadcast or within seven days of being broadcast.

Anecdotal evidence to support this story isn’t hard to find. The UK election was predicted by social media proponents to be the first social media election. In the event it’s the TV debates have led the news agenda and conversations.

Photo by autowitch on Flickr.