An estimated 70% of Irish people will spend up to six hours watching TV on Christmas day, according to new research carried out.

And 12% of people will watch more than six hours of television on Christmas day, with 91% of people choosing to watch Christmas content on television.

The research, which was carried out by iReach on behalf of Virgin Media survived over 1,000 Irish people over the age of 18 on their viewing habits around the Christmas and New Year period.

Other information which the research revealed includes: 16% of Irish people will watch over six movies during the festive period, with 78% watching between one-six movies.

Only six % of those who will sit down to watch TV over the festive season won’t watch a movie.

When it comes to what other devices people are watching their content on over the Christmas period, 23% will watch content on a smartphone or tablet and 21% will watch it on a desktop or laptop.

Unsurprisingly, the research also revealed we’re a nation of sentimental traditionalists with 73% of respondents saying that sitting down with the family is a major part of Irish Christmas tradition.

When it came to finding out what kind of content people were watching the result was a bit more split, 17% of us will tune into a soap or drama over the Christmas period which bodes well for soap addicts as Virgin Media One will have hour-long specials of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale on Christmas Day.

When we looked at what other type of content people were watching, a whopping 49% of us will sit down to watch a movie over the festive season.

When asked what their favourite Christmas movie was, 42% chose ‘Home Alone’ as their Christmas classic, with one in four of us choosing ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ – both available to rent on Virgin Media On Demand if you’re looking for your fix this Christmas.

Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer at Virgin Media said “It’s comforting to know that in the age of smart phones and other devices, sitting down with our families in front of a television to watch a movie is still one our nation’s favourite tradition at Christmas time.

"Whether people are watching movies, soap, news or sports, television plays a key role in the Irish household over the festive period which is why Virgin Media customers will be spoiled for choice over this coming festive period not only with the amazing choice available on Virgin Media Television, but with the hundreds of boxsets and movies available through Virgin Media On Demand.”