It is a row that is regularly played out in homes across the country – who gets control of the television remote.
And it has emerged that the programmes most likely to cause a squabble are Match of the Day and Love Island.
In a poll of 2,000 Britons, 17 per cent confessed to arguing over the football highlights show. Love Island was second on 13 per cent.
Researchers found that 55 per cent regularly row over which TV show to watch.
A total of 48 per cent said they often ‘gave in’ to their partner, but then went and watched their programme on their phone instead.
Gina Allen, 33, of Watford, said: ‘When Saturday comes round, I know that he [my boyfriend] will want to watch Match of the Day.
‘I enjoy it too, but only if Spurs have won that day, which isn’t often the case, so I prefer watching something on Netflix or Disney at that time of night.’
In a poll of 2,000 Britons, 17 per cent confessed to arguing over Match of the Day (pictured in 2018)
She added: ‘Now I have my own Saturday night shows that I watch without my boyfriend while he shouts and screams at the telly in the other room.’
Saturday is the day when arguments are most likely to kick off, and 25 per cent of those polled confessed to hiding the remote control or taking the batteries out.
One in ten also admitted telling their children that the TV ‘stops working’ at 5pm.
A spokesman for Toshiba, which commissioned the survey, said: ‘It’s no wonder that 58 per cent of respondents say they own a second screen to reduce TV-related arguments.’
Lawyer Henry Nelson-Case said: ‘In the court of living-room justice, the battle for the remote is the ultimate trial by fire.
‘I’ve seen less drama in actual courtrooms than when someone tries to switch off Match of the Day mid-match.’
