Sleep experts at Bestmattress-brand conducted a survey in which they asked Americans about their TV habits before bedtime. It was found that 60% of Americans watch TV before bed, with over 50% of the participants watching TV 5-7 days per week as part of their bedtime routine.
The research shows that 50.9% of Americans start watching TV between 9 pm and 11 pm. 42% stop watching TV between 11 pm and 1 am. There are a wide range of shows that Americans fall asleep to however these are the top 10 that respondents answered with.
Family Guy – 20.2%
Family Guy is an American animated sitcom created by Seth Macfarlane. The show has won 9 Emmys and has been a popular comedy among the American population for many years. The show follows no linear storyline and so can be watched in any order without the viewer feeling lost, this mixed with the easy viewing, light-hearted comedy is what makes it a perfect choice to fall asleep to.
American Dad – 17.1%
Seth Macfarlane holds the top two spots as American Dad is another animated sitcom he created. With similar comedic values to Family Guy, American Dad has the same family-oriented premise as its animated counterpart. Just like Family Guy, this show can be watched in almost any order, so it is good for falling asleep too, as it doesn’t matter if you miss a few episodes while catching some Z’s.
Bob’s Burgers – 16.7%
Bobs Burgers follows restaurateur, Bob Belcher, who deals with various situations while running his dream restaurant with the help of his uptight wife and their three underachieving kids. This adult animated sitcom is popular due to the cast’s easy, affectionate back-and-forth and meshing comedic sensibilities. Bob Belcher, who deals with various situations while running his dream restaurant with the help of his uptight wife and their three underachieving kids. This adult animated sitcom is popular due to the cast’s easy, affectionate back-and-forth and meshing comedic sensibilities.e back-and-forth and meshing comedic sensibilities of the cast. This easy-watching and relatable type of family dynamic make it a good night-time choice to drift off to.
Saturday Night Live – 14.9%
Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple of American night-time TV since its inception in the 70s. The premise of SNL is actors, comedians and artists get together to perform short, hilarious skits on current, intelligent and at times, ridiculous topics. SNL is the longest-running sketch comedy show in America and therefore may act as a comfort show with an element of re-watchability that makes it easy for many to fall asleep too.
Football – 13.5%
As the most popular sport in America, it is understandable that many Americans will enjoy falling asleep to games, highlights, replays and other football-related shows. Sport provides comfortable watching that requires little interaction and engagement, this makes for a relaxing viewer experience that could help some fall asleep at night.
The Simpsons – 13.1%
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom following working-class father Homer Simpson and his dysfunctional family, as they deal with comical situations and the ups and downs of life in the town of Springfield. With over 700 episodes The Simpsons is one of the most popular and long-running animated shows. Just like Family Guy and American Dad, there is no linear story and so can be watched in any order and therefore doesn’t matter if you fall asleep and miss a few episodes.
The Big Bang Theory - 11.4%
The Big Bang Theory is a comedy about brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon and their friends, who are the kind of “beautiful minds” that understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people, especially women. This show ended in 2019 however was a fan-favourite, the witty comedy intertwined with heartfelt touching moments provided an enjoyable viewing experience that can be watched again and again.
Basketball – 11%
As one of the most popular sports in America, Basketball provides viewers with easy-to-watch entertainment that can be paused and recorded, or watched as highlights, so even if you fall asleep you won’t miss any moments.
Modern Family – 10.1%
Modern Family is a show about three modern-day families from California who try to deal with their kids, quirky spouses and jobs in their own unique ways, often falling into hilarious situations. The show garnered huge popularity over the years, with the expertly written and delivered sitcom balancing comedy with morals and messages, that curate a light-hearted show that remains engaging throughout. This show is one that can be watched again and again, which makes it a good choice for a relaxing and enjoyable bedtime show.
Baseball - 10%
With sports being so popular in America is unsurprising to find another popular American sport on this list. Sport is easy to watch and relaxing for viewers and so can be put on in the background while falling asleep making it a good choice for many sport lovers.
A spokesperson from Bestmattress-brand commented:
“Getting a good night’s rest isn’t just about how you feel in the morning. It helps control healthy brain function, our emotional well-being, and elements of our physical health. Getting the best sleep possible doesn’t just mean hitting the recommended seven to nine hours either; it means making sure you have quality sleep habits to maximize the time your body is resting and recuperating before tomorrow comes.
It’s common for us to want to enjoy our favourite TV shows before bed, however too much artificial light, especially right before we think we might try to fall asleep, can increase our alertness and impair our ability to fall asleep naturally. So, if you are wanting to watch TV before bed it is recommended to switch it off 30 minutes before you are about to sleep so as to allow your mind to prepare for a good night’s sleep.”
