Malaysians prefer British over American TV programmes

MALAYSIANS prefer British content over American content and do more so than any other country in Southeast Asia.

This is one of the findings in a poll on the viewing habits and attitudes towards British programmes conducted by BBC Worldwide.

The study, which polled those living in seven Asian territories, also found that Malaysians were the most avid fans of British drama, with 65% of those sampled frequently tuning into the likes of Doctor Who, Silent Witness, and SS-GB.

On the other hand, viewers in India and China enjoy more lighthearted programmes making comedies the most popular British genre in these two countries.

The BBC Worldwide poll sampled over 6,000 people aged 16 to 64 across seven Asian markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and India.

According to the 727 Malaysians polled, 59% of them prefer British content while 46% prefer American TV.

Some of the programmes most popular among BBC Player users in Malaysia are Doctor Who Series 10, Planet Earth II, and Top Gear Series 24.

Over half of the Malaysian respondents said that what they love the most about British TV is the British accent.

On the flip side, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, and China respondents love British humour while Taiwan viewers prefer British food shows.

When asked about eating habits, almost 60% of Malaysians polled said that they eat while watching TV.

They also browse social media platforms or the internet while doing the same.

The number one personality that Malaysians want to watch TV with is David Beckham.

The former professional footballer turned international model and TV presenter is high in demand in Malaysia, edging out high-functioning sociopath Sherlock and vocal powerhouse Adele.

This was unanimous with four other territories – Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and China. – BBC Player