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A pan-European survey of TV viewing by global marketing outfit Research Intl. found that people over 50 watch for information while those aged 16-30 want entertainment.

The survey of 6,000 viewers was commissioned by UPC Broadband and conducted in the 14 territories in which UPC, a subsidiary of Liberty Global, operates.

While 55% of all Euro consumers polled watch TV to be informed, in Poland the percentage jumped to 76% while in Norway it dropped to 33%.

Among over-50s, 69% said information was the main reason they watched TV, while 56% in the 16-29 age group said they wanted entertainment.

Some 62% of Europeans over 50 watch TV more than two hours a day, with the number slipping to 47% in the 16-29 year age group.

Those polled were skeptical about news broadcasts, with only 21% believing the information is always or usually true.

Some 48% believe that public and commercial TV news are equally trustworthy, but 41% trusted pubcasters more. Romania is the only country that trusts commercial broadcasts more than public broadcasts.