The study found social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and MSN Messenger are the most popular ways to discuss programmes while they’re being shown on TV.

Intel commissioned RedShift Research to carry out the research of more than 7,000 people last month and found that 57% of online comments about TV programmes are about ’event TV’ such as football matches and end-of-series episodes.

ITV’s The X Factor generated 11 tweets a second while the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing generated 7 tweets a second when it aired last year, according to the study.

The survey also revealed that this year’s General Election debates between the leaders of the UK’s three main political parties generated 29 tweets a second.

David McKeown, Intel’s sales and marketing manager for the UK and Ireland, said, “The rise of event TV is fuelling this trend, especially for women.”

The survey also indicated that two-thirds of respondents (63%) wanted TVs that can connect to the internet for activities such as shopping online and using social networks.