Forget extreme sports – a new survey reveals that Britons get their biggest thrills from watching high-stakes, tension-filled TV shows. From classic soap opera moments to gripping plot twists in the latest hit dramas, viewers are seeking out programmes that leave them breathless.
The study, conducted by the pharmacy chain Asda, found that a staggering 71% of respondents said that the BBC’s reality competition series “The Traitor” leaves them more shaken than scripted dramas. The intense mind games and betrayals between the contestants have proven to be particularly heart-racing, with 37% citing the showdown between the “traitors” as the most pulse-pounding moment.
Other shows that made the top 20 list of most thrilling TV moments include the Red Wedding massacre in “Game of Thrones,” the interrogation of “H” in “Line of Duty,” and the cemetery showdown between Max and Vecna in “Stranger Things.” Classic soap opera cliffhangers, such as the reveal of “Who Shot Phil?” in “EastEnders,” also struck a chord with viewers.
Telly expert and critic Toby Earle explains the appeal of these heart-racing TV moments. “When a TV show has drawn you in so deeply that you feel like your feet are in your screen hero or heroine’s shoes, where a life-changing plot twist means as much to you as to them, there’s no bigger rush you can have while sitting on your sofa,” he said.
The survey also found that 83% of viewers prefer shows that get their adrenaline pumping, while 45% admit they need to make a cup of tea after watching a tense programme to calm their nerves. It seems that Britons are increasingly seeking out television that delivers a true edge-of-your-seat experience.
