The science of TV and love

Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’re about to unravel the tantalising secrets of maintaining a long-lasting, happy marriage. The answer? Well, it appears that the magic ingredient might just be your TV remote, with “Line of Duty,” “Gogglebox,” and “Happy Valley” leading the charge. Intrigued?

So, picture this: you and your significant other, cozied up on the sofa, completely engrossed in the latest episode of your favourite show. What you probably didn’t realise is that in that very moment, you were strengthening your emotional connection (56% of couples together for 10+ years agree), cementing your commitment (61%), and even banishing stress (by a remarkable margin).

The research, from LG Electronics and relationship experts, reveals that when we watch TV together, our brains sync up like a pair of synchronised swimmers, creating those shared moments that deepen our emotional bonds. It’s like a love potion, but instead of mystical ingredients, it’s all about pixels and popcorn.

Ros spoke to behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings.

Photo by Jens Kreuter on Unsplash