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TV pickup
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TV pickup
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TV pickup is a phenomenon that occurs in the United Kingdom involving sudden surges in demand on the national electrical grid, occurring when a large number of people simultaneously watch the same television programme. TV pickup occurs when viewers take advantage of commercial breaks in programming to operate electrical appliances at the same time, causing large synchronised surges in national electricity consumption. Such sudden huge surges in demand tied to the TV schedule are unique to the United Kingdom.[1][2]

Electricity networks devote considerable resources to predicting and providing supply for these events, which typically impose an extra demand of around 200–400 megawatts (MW) on the British National Grid. Short-term supply is often obtained from pumped storage reservoirs, which can be quickly brought online, and are backed up by the slower fossil fuel and nuclear power stations. The largest ever pickup occurred on 4 July 1990, when a 2800 megawatt demand was imposed by the ending of the penalty shootout in the England v West Germany FIFA World Cup semi-final.[3][4] In addition to pickups, the Grid also prepares for synchronised switch-offs during remembrance and energy-awareness events.

Cause

[edit]

TV pickups occur during breaks in popular television programmes and are a surge in demand caused by the switching on of millions of electric kettles to brew cups of tea or coffee. Kettles in the UK are particularly high powered, typically consuming 2.5–3.0 kW and create a very high peak demand on the electrical grid. The phenomenon is common in the UK, where individual programmes can often attract a significantly large audience share.[3] The introduction of a wider range of TV channels is mitigating the effect, but it remains a large concern for the National Grid operators.[3]

There are typically several large peaks in energy use caused by TV pickup during each day, dependent on TV schedules, the day of the week and weather.[5] The largest pickup of the day is usually at 21:00, when several popular TV programmes end or go to commercial breaks.[5] The most popular programmes, hence those giving the greatest pickup are soaps, sporting events, and reality TV. A typical TV pickup imposes an extra demand of 200–400 megawatts, with larger soap storylines bringing around 700–800 MW.[3]

Response

[edit]
See also: National Grid Reserve Service

A sudden increase in demand, unmatched by an increase in supply, causes a drop in the mains frequency across the Grid (locally the voltage may also be affected due to changes in reactive power flows).[6]

The National Grid Energy Balancing Team is responsible for ensuring an adequate supply of electricity and try to ensure a frequency of between 49.5 and 50.5 Hz is maintained.[5][7][8] To prepare for pickups the team runs a computer program that compares the current day with corresponding periods over the past five years to predict the size of demand,[3] and studies TV schedules to anticipate demand from popular shows. Grid employees must also be familiar with popular soap-opera storylines as one might cause a sudden rise in demand. Owing to this, they are aware of what shows attract the largest audiences and of customers' television choices; one expressed his disapproval in 2013, "The TV pickup from Deal or No Deal is gobsmackingly high. How sad is that?"[8]

Sporting events like tennis matches are especially difficult because of the impossibility of predicting when one will end.[8] International football finals are a particular problem as research has shown that 71% of people in the UK will watch them at home instead of public venues such as pubs.[4] The Grid predicted a pickup of around 3000 MW, equivalent to 1.2 million kettles being turned on at once, if England made the later stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[4][9]

Diagram of a typical pumped storage power station

It is important to predict demand as precisely as possible as electricity grids are not capable of storing electricity in large quantities and all power stations have a lead-in time before generation can begin.[10] Balancing teams attempt to meet short term fluctuations with "fast reserves" that are quick to come online, backed up with longer term fossil fuel-based "balance mechanism units".[5] The shortest lead-in times are on pumped storage reservoirs, such as the Dinorwig Power Station that has the fastest response time of any pumped storage station in the world at just 12 seconds to produce 1320 MW.[10] Once the longer term fossil fuel stations, which have response times around half an hour, and nuclear power stations, which can take even longer, come online then pumped storage stations can be turned off and the water returned to the reservoir.[10] If capacity further exceeds demand, additional power is accessible via the HVDC Cross-Channel and BritNed undersea power cables that connect the UK to France and the Netherlands respectively.[11]

Records

[edit]

The largest TV pickups recorded in the UK are:

Pickup demand Date Programme
2800 MW 4 July 1990 England v West Germany FIFA World Cup semi-final penalty shootout[3][12]
2600 MW 22 January 1984 The Thorn Birds[3] – Final episode[13]
2570 MW 21 June 2002 England v Brazil FIFA World Cup quarter-final[3]
2340 MW 12 June 2002 Nigeria v England FIFA World Cup group match[14]
2290 MW 5 April 2001 EastEnders[3] – "Who Shot Phil?"[12]
2200 MW 16 January 1984 The Thorn Birds[15] – Episode 4/5[16]
2200 MW 20 July 1989 The Thorn Birds[17]
2200 MW 5 August 1985 Dallas[17]
2200 MW 28 April 1991 The Darling Buds of May[15]
2200 MW 12 May 1991 The Darling Buds of May[12]
2200 MW 18 April 1994 EastEnders & Coronation Street (combined)[15]
2110 MW 22 November 2003 England v Australia Rugby World Cup Final[12]
2100 MW 30 June 1998 Argentina v England FIFA World Cup round of 16 half time[15]
2100 MW 19 February 1986 The Colbys[17]
2010 MW 7 April 2002 Coronation Street[17]
2000 MW 1 April 1991 Coronation Street[15]
2000 MW 3 July 1990 Italy v Argentina FIFA World Cup semi-final[14]
2000 MW 2 April 1984 Coronation Street & Blue Thunder (combined)[17]
1960 MW 1 July 2006 England v Portugal FIFA World Cup quarter-final[14]
1900 MW 5 April 1994 EastEnders[15]
1830 MW 20 June 2006 Sweden v England FIFA World Cup group match[14]
1820 MW 21 April 1999 Juventus v Manchester United UEFA Champions League semi-final[14]
1820 MW 21 June 2002 England v Brazil FIFA World Cup quarter-final[14]
1800 MW 29 July 1981 Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer[15]
1800 MW 2 September 1992 Coronation Street[15]
1800 MW 3 September 1992 EastEnders[15]
1800 MW 7 September 1992 Coronation Street[15]
1800 MW 11 July 2021 England v Italy UEFA European Football Championship final[18]
1700 MW 25 June 2006 England v Ecuador FIFA World Cup round of 16[14]
1600 MW 29 April 2011 Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton[12]
1400 MW 11 July 2018 England v Croatia FIFA World Cup semi-final[19]
1400 MW 7 July 2018 England v Sweden FIFA World Cup quarter-final[20]
1400 MW 7 July 2021 England v Denmark UEFA European Football Championship semi-final[21]
1300 MW 14 July 2024 Spain v England UEFA European Football Championship final (half-time)[22]
1200 MW 3 July 2018 England v Colombia FIFA World Cup round of 16[23]
1000 MW 10 July 2024 Netherlands v England UEFA European Football Championship semi-final (half-time)[24]
1000 MW 20 November 1995 "An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales"[25]
950 MW 16 April 2020 Clap for Our Carers[12]
700 MW 29 June 1994 Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role[25]

Other events can cause even bigger pickups for the National Grid than television events. Immediately following the solar eclipse of 11 August 1999 there was a record demand of 3000 MW.[26] This was the largest rapid increase that the grid had ever experienced but it had been anticipated and sufficient generating plant were made ready to accommodate the additional demand. Around 1000 MW of the demand was due to traditional TV pick-up demand caused by kettles, with the remainder arising from the return of people to their workplaces.[27]

The Grid also plans for the opposite effect, a co-ordinated mass switch-off of appliances. Boxing Day is consistently, according to one employee, "the lowest of the low" power usage.[8] At midday on 5 January 2005 a three minutes silence in remembrance of the Boxing Day Tsunami resulted in a 1300 MW temporary drop in consumption followed by a sudden 1400 MW rise.[28] The 6 September 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales caused a 1000 MW drop.[15]

Similar, though smaller, switch-offs occur annually at 11 am on Remembrance Day.[3] These switch-offs occur during the day time, so they are smaller than pickups seen at night when more electrical appliances are likely to be in use.[3] National Grid argued against the mass switch-off originally planned for the Live Earth and Planet Aid events as these would have resulted in highly unpredictable demands for electricity and would have generated more carbon dioxide than would have been saved. These events were subsequently cancelled.[3]

The imposition of national lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the National Grid. Despite the trend towards streaming services reducing the magnitude of traditional pick-ups, televised pandemic statements such as by the Queen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson still attracted a large number of live viewers. For the Queen's 5 April 2020 address a pick-up of between 500 and 600 MW was recorded at the end of the event. The weekly Clap for Our Carers also saw a marginal dip in demand as people went outside followed by a peak in demand of around 1000 MW as people returned inside. During the lockdown periods demand for power overall was around 20% lower than usual owing to home working and furlough.[29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

TV pickup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
TV pickup is a phenomenon unique to the in which there is a sudden surge in demand on the national grid, occurring when a large number of viewers simultaneously switch on high-power electrical appliances—primarily electric kettles to boil water for —during commercial breaks or at the conclusion of popular television programmes. These spikes, typically ranging from 200 to 800 megawatts (MW) for everyday shows like EastEnders, can reach up to 2,800 MW during major events, equivalent to powering over a million homes and challenging grid stability. The effect stems from British cultural habits of tea consumption synchronized with television viewing, a pattern that emerged with the widespread adoption of in the mid-20th century and persists despite streaming services, particularly for live broadcasts. Notable historical instances include the 2,800 MW surge at the end of the semi-final between and , while more recent examples occurred during the 2021 UEFA Euro final (1.6 GW) and the 2022 Queen's Platinum Jubilee (1.3 GW). The National Grid anticipates these predictable demand fluctuations to maintain supply reliability.

Overview

Definition

TV pickup refers to a sudden and synchronized surge in electricity demand on the United Kingdom's National Grid, triggered by the mass actions of television viewers during commercial breaks or at the conclusion of popular programs. This phenomenon arises when large audiences, often numbering in the millions, simultaneously engage in activities such as boiling kettles for or , opening refrigerators, or switching on lights, leading to abrupt increases in power consumption. The core mechanics of a TV pickup involve the rapid activation of high-power household appliances across numerous homes, with electric kettles being the primary contributor due to their substantial draw. A typical electric kettle consumes between 2.5 and 3.0 kW while heating water, and when millions of households activate them concurrently, the aggregate effect can produce demand peaks ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 MW. For instance, during major events, this has equated to the equivalent of over a million kettles switching on simultaneously, representing a significant but short-lived spike that the grid must accommodate within seconds. This effect is uniquely scoped to the UK's National Grid, where it is closely linked to traditional linear broadcast viewing patterns that synchronize viewer behavior on a national scale. It is most pronounced during evening demand peaks around 21:00, coinciding with high-audience genres such as soaps, sports events, and programs that draw peak viewership. Viewer habits during ad breaks, where audiences pause to prepare refreshments, exemplify the synchronized nature driving these surges, though the phenomenon's impact diminishes with the rise of on-demand streaming.

Historical Context

The TV pickup phenomenon originated in the during the post-World War II period, as television ownership surged from fewer than 1% of households in 1947 to over 75% by 1960, aligning with the widespread adoption of electric kettles after ended in 1954. This cultural habit of brewing during synchronized viewing breaks created initial demand spikes on the , though early instances were smaller due to limited audience sizes and fewer high-power appliances. By the 1970s, surges became more noticeable during popular ITV programs such as , which drew millions of viewers weekly and prompted collective appliance use at episode ends or ad breaks. These events marked the first widely observed TV pickups in energy monitoring, formalized in reports by the (CEGB) during the 1980s, including a 2,600 MW spike at the finale of the miniseries on January 22, 1984, equivalent to over 1 million kettles activating simultaneously. The effect intensified in the with the expansion of satellite and , which broadened access to major events and increased synchronized viewership; a landmark example was the 2,800 MW surge at the end of England's semi-final against on July 4, the largest recorded to date and watched by 26 million people. This pre-digital peak highlighted TV pickups' role in evening demand variability, with such surges contributing substantially to grid fluctuations before the rise of streaming fragmented audiences.

Causes

Viewer Behavior

In the , the habit of preparing tea or snacks during commercial breaks in television programming is deeply rooted in British "tea-time" culture, where the ritual of brewing a hot beverage serves as a momentary pause in daily routines. This practice is particularly reinforced by high-viewership shows such as the EastEnders, which often prompts viewers to switch on kettles immediately after dramatic episodes or cliffhangers, and live football matches broadcast on channels like ITV and . The synchronization effect arises when millions of viewers engage in these actions nearly simultaneously, often within seconds of an advertisement starting or a break beginning, leading to abrupt spikes in electricity demand. For instance, during live events like in major football tournaments, such as the 2020 match between and , an estimated 20-30 million viewers anticipated the interval, resulting in a 1 GW surge equivalent to around 400,000 kettles boiling at once; this anticipation builds through shared national excitement, amplifying the collective response. Similarly, post-match surges, like the 1.6 GW peak after the same game, reflect viewers unwinding with refreshments in unison. Demographic patterns highlight predominantly evening household viewing, where families and individuals often multitask by watching while preparing refreshments in the , a especially common among working-age adults and retirees during peak broadcast hours from 7-10 PM. This synchronized multitasking underscores the social aspect of TV consumption in homes, blending with everyday domestic rituals. Historical energy surveys and broadcaster analyses indicate that ingrained viewing customs contribute to predictable demand patterns, occasionally straining the during high-audience moments.

Electrical Appliance Factors

Electric kettles dominate the electrical load during TV pickups in the , primarily due to their high power ratings and rapid heating cycles. These appliances typically consume 2.5 to 3.0 kW while operating, enabling them to boil 1 to 2 liters of in approximately 2 to 3 minutes. With around 97% of UK households owning at least one electric kettle, they are ubiquitous and contribute the majority of the surge when synchronized usage occurs. Secondary appliances such as toasters, microwaves, and additional lighting play a supporting role, each adding roughly 0.5 to 1.0 kW per household during peak moments. However, kettles account for 70 to 80% of the overall spike, as their resistive heating elements draw sustained high power for short bursts, overwhelming other devices in aggregate impact. The cumulative effect can be substantial; for instance, if 5 million kettles activate nearly simultaneously—representing a fraction of total households tuned into popular programming—the theoretical peak demand could reach about 15,000 MW. In practice, surges are moderated by staggered timing, resulting in observed increases of 1,000 to 3,000 MW, equivalent to powering over a million kettles at once. Prior to the 2000s, electric kettles relied predominantly on immersed resistive heating elements, which provided direct and efficient energy transfer but lacked advanced controls. Modern cordless models, introduced widely since the , retain comparable power loads of 2.5 to 3.0 kW but offer slight improvements through better insulation and automatic shut-off features that minimize post-boil.

Impacts

Grid Demand Surges

TV pickup events trigger rapid surges in electricity demand on the UK's national grid, typically ranging from 200 MW to 2,800 MW within 10–30 seconds as millions of viewers simultaneously activate appliances like kettles during commercial breaks or at the conclusion of popular programs. These surges, primarily driven by the collective boiling of water for and other household loads, cause immediate dips in grid from the nominal 50 Hz baseline, often dropping to 49.8 Hz or lower in unmitigated scenarios. For instance, the 1990 semi-final penalty shoot-out resulted in a 2,800 MW spike, while more routine events like the end of an episode generate around 400 MW as of the , though recent figures show a decline to approximately 200 MW. This sudden demand imbalance strains the grid's synchronous generators, which rely on rotational to temporarily bridge the gap between supply and consumption, slowing the rate of decline but risking if the deviation exceeds safe thresholds. Without rapid intervention, such as activating reserve generation, the could continue falling, potentially triggering under-frequency load shedding to prevent widespread blackouts—a critical safeguard activated at 48.8 Hz in severe cases. The mechanics highlight the grid's sensitivity to synchronized consumer behavior, where even a 1 GW mismatch can accelerate changes proportional to the imbalance size and available system . Such surges occur during ad breaks or finales of high-viewership shows like soaps and sports broadcasts, typically 1-2 times per evening with major events, contributing approximately 0.5-1.5% to overall evening demand variability amid baseline loads of 50–60 GW. National Grid data indicate that major TV pickups can represent up to 5% of total evening load in extreme cases, though typical events are under 1%. In recent years (as of ), the TV pickup effect has diminished due to increased streaming service usage, leading to less synchronized linear TV viewing and smaller surges.

Operational and Economic Effects

TV pickups impose significant operational challenges on electricity grid , primarily through the need for rapid activation of spinning reserves to meet sudden demand surges, which accelerates wear on generation equipment such as gas turbines maintained in standby mode. These events can also heighten the risk of cascading failures across interconnected European grids, where abrupt load changes propagate via (HVDC) links, potentially destabilizing frequency and voltage control in neighboring systems if reserve responses are delayed. Economically, TV pickups contribute to costs for maintaining , with balancing services for predictable events like these forming part of annual expenditures in the tens of millions, including and operational expenses for gas held in readiness. Potential economic losses from grid instability, including blackouts, can reach billions, though TV pickups are routinely managed to avoid this. In terms of reliability, repeated reserve cycling leads to equipment degradation requiring interventions. TV pickups have notably influenced Ofgem's regulatory framework on reserve margins since 2000, prompting adjustments to incentive schemes and balancing targets to enhance system security during predictable yet volatile events. During the , analyses of markets indicated that predictable demand events contributed to variations in peak wholesale prices, as operators procured additional balancing services at elevated rates to avert shortages.

Mitigation and Response

Predictive and Operational Strategies

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) employs predictive algorithms to forecast TV pickup surges by integrating television schedules with audience viewing data provided by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB). These models analyze expected viewership for high-profile programs, such as major sports events or finales, to estimate demand spikes, enabling proactive adjustments to generation and reserves. For instance, during events like the EURO 2020 semi-final, the ESO updated forecasts based on anticipated audience sizes and historical patterns to prepare for surges up to 1.6 GW. Operational responses include manual activation of (DSR) programs, which incentivize industrial and commercial users to reduce loads during predicted peaks, alongside control through ancillary services like Firm Response (FFR). These tactics help stabilize the grid by curtailing non-essential consumption, such as in manufacturing processes, while ancillary services automatically adjust generation or to maintain within 49.5–50.5 Hz. During TV pickups, such as the 1 GW half-time surge in the 2021 England vs. match, DSR providers delivered sub-second responses to counteract dips to 49.86 Hz. Key facilities for rapid response include ramping up output from coal and gas-fired plants, which can achieve rates of approximately 10 MW per minute under hot start conditions, allowing clusters of units to deliver 500–1,000 MW within 5 minutes when synchronized. Nuclear plants contribute through load-following capabilities, with ramp rates up to 5% of rated power per minute, supporting sustained increases during extended high-demand periods. Additionally, interconnectors such as the 2 GW Interconnexion France–Angleterre (IFA) to and the 1.4 GW to enable imports of up to several gigawatts for balancing, drawing on surplus generation from neighboring systems to offset domestic surges. The implementation of advanced automation and the Balancing Mechanism has improved real-time monitoring and reserve dispatch, ensuring grid stability during unpredictable TV-induced demands like the 2,800 MW spike from the 1990 World Cup semi-final.

Technological and Infrastructure Solutions

To mitigate the sudden demand surges associated with TV pickup events, fast-response power plants such as pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities have been integral to grid stability in the UK. The in , operational since 1984, exemplifies this approach with its reversible hydroelectric turbines capable of ramping up from standby to 1,728 MW output in 16 seconds, providing rapid buffering against short-term peaks like those during television ad breaks in major broadcasts. Similarly, the smaller Ffestiniog Pumped Storage Scheme, also in and commissioned in , offers 360 MW of capacity with quick-response capabilities, achieving full output in approximately 60 seconds, contributing to the UK's overall 2.8 GW of pumped-storage infrastructure that helps absorb TV-induced load spikes without relying on slower ramp-up; this total includes additional sites like Cruachan (440 MW) and Foyers (300 MW). These facilities store excess energy by pumping water uphill during off-peak periods and release it through turbines during high demand, effectively acting as large-scale batteries tailored for frequency control and event-driven surges. Emerging battery energy storage systems (BESS) complement these traditional solutions by enabling even faster responses to TV pickup effects. Since 2020, lithium-ion BESS pilots in the UK, such as the 100 MW/200 MWh Lakeside Energy Park connected to the transmission grid in 2024, have demonstrated sub-second discharge capabilities—often in milliseconds—to stabilize frequency and supply power during abrupt demand increases from synchronized viewer behaviors. With installed BESS capacity growing from about 1 GW in 2020 to over 6.9 GW as of mid-2025, these systems provide flexible, modular support for grid operators, discharging stored to offset peaks that can reach 1-2 GW during high-profile events. Their high round-trip efficiency (85-95%) and rapid response make them ideal for ancillary services, reducing the need for less efficient spinning reserves. Smart grid technologies further enhance infrastructure resilience by integrating demand aggregation and advanced generation controls. National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) trials, including the Demand Flexibility Service launched in 2021, use mobile apps and automated platforms to aggregate flexible loads from distributed batteries and appliances, preemptively shifting consumption to counter TV pickup surges—such as by discharging aggregated storage during predicted peaks. Variable-speed generators, increasingly adopted in and installations, allow finer output control by adjusting rotor speeds independently of grid , enabling precise ramp rates (e.g., 5-10% per minute) that traditional fixed-speed units cannot match, thus smoothing event-driven fluctuations. International interconnectors bolster domestic capacity by importing power during TV-related peaks, diversifying supply sources away from fossil fuels. The BritNed undersea cable, linking the to the since 2011, provides 1,000 MW of bidirectional capacity, contributing to the UK's total portfolio of over 10 GW that can supply up to 20% of needs—equivalent to buffering multiple TV surges—while facilitating exchanges. This reduces carbon-intensive generation by enabling imports from wind-rich regions, with utilization rates increasing during high-demand events to maintain stability.

Notable Instances

Historical Records

The historical records of TV pickup surges in the highlight the significant strain placed on the national electricity grid during major pre-2010 television events, particularly those drawing massive audiences for sports and dramatic finales. These incidents, primarily from the and , underscore the peak severity of synchronized viewer behaviors, such as boiling kettles during commercial breaks or post-event lulls, which triggered abrupt demand spikes equivalent to hundreds of thousands of household appliances activating simultaneously. The largest quantified surges from this era are documented below, based on National Grid monitoring data:
Demand (MW)DateEvent
2,8004 July 1990England vs. semi-final (ITV broadcast, 25.2 million viewers)
2,60022 January 1984 final episode ( broadcast, over 20 million viewers)
2,57021 June 2002England vs. quarter-final ( broadcast, 17 million viewers)
These peaks represented approximately 4–6% of the UK's total load at the time, with total typically ranging from 40–50 GW during evening hours; for context, the 1990 surge equated to an 11% instantaneous rise in overall consumption. All events were associated with high-profile ITV or attracting over 20 million viewers on average, amplifying the synchronized through widespread appliance use tied to viewer habits like sports watching. This data, drawn from National Grid archives through 2005, illustrates the grid's vulnerability in the pre-digital era, where linear dominated and lacked the buffering effects of modern streaming.

Recent and Evolving Examples

In the and , pickups have continued to occur during major live broadcasts, though their magnitude and frequency have diminished compared to earlier decades. A notable recent peak was observed during the final between and on July 14, 2024, when electricity demand surged by 1,300 MW at halftime due to synchronized viewer activities such as boiling kettles. Similarly, during the lockdown in 2020, traditional pickups reemerged prominently as heightened viewership of soap operas like and —with linear consumption up 11% compared to 2019—led to increased demand surges during ad breaks and episode ends. The shift toward on-demand streaming services has significantly reduced the incidence of TV pickups, as platforms like and enable asynchronous viewing and have contributed to a decline in linear TV consumption. Linear broadcast TV viewing time in the UK fell to an average of 2 hours 9 minutes per day in 2024, down 11 minutes from the previous year and reflecting a broader 30-40% drop in traditional TV audiences since 2015 amid rising streaming adoption. This trend has made mass simultaneous viewing less common, with National Grid ESO noting fewer predictable surges overall. Evolving examples illustrate the phenomenon's adaptation to modern viewing patterns, including hybrid events that blend linear and streaming audiences. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, drew 29.2 million UK viewers and caused a 2 GW drop in electricity demand during the broadcast as people paused routine activities to watch, highlighting how large-scale live events can now suppress rather than spike usage. Finals of shows like continue to generate pickups, as seen in past holiday episodes where surges reached several hundred MW from post-show kettle boiling, though 2023's event aligned with declining linear peaks. Live sports streaming may reverse some decline, potentially amplifying pickups during high-engagement matches as viewers return to real-time broadcasts. As of 2025, TV pickups contribute less than 2% to overall variability on the grid—down from around 10% historically—according to ESO analyses, underscoring their reduced role amid diversified patterns and streaming mitigation. Smart appliances, including connected kettles, further stagger usage by enabling delayed or scheduled boiling, integrating with grid demand-response systems to smooth peaks.

References

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  45. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/20/more-than-29m-people-in-uk-watched-queens-funeral-tv-data-shows
  46. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/queen-funeral-national-grid-power-supply-b2170649.html
  47. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38414092
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