Mud, Matches, and the Magic of the Box: My Rest & Connect Reality #AD ... The Yorkshire Dad Blog ...

This post is a collaboration with TV Licensing (a trademark of the BBC), but all thoughts and experiences are my own.

Life in our house is chaos. Between work, school runs, and ferrying the kids to football training and matches, there’s barely time to breathe, let alone relax. By the time Wednesday night rolls around and I’ve hobbled off the seven-a-side pitch with my pride (and hamstrings) in tatters, I need a bit of downtime. And that’s where live TV becomes my saviour.

The Magic of Live TV: An Escape from the Madness

There’s something special about live TV – the thrill of not knowing what’s coming next, the collective experience of watching something as it happens, and the sheer joy of being able to yell at the referee without any spoilers ruining the game. Whether it’s football matches, panel shows catching a surprise gem from the wide variety of films on TV, or a good old-fashioned drama, switching on the TV is my way of shutting out the world and just… chilling.

Our TV Rituals: When and What We Watch

With two football-obsessed kids and a wife who deserves a break as much as I do, TV is a big part of our downtime. Here are some of our favourite moments:

Saturday Night Movie (With Popcorn and Negotiations)

After a hectic Saturday of football training, we settle down for a family film. The selection process is an Olympic-level debate, with the boys pushing for action-packed blockbusters while my wife and I try (and fail) to sneak in a classic. Recent picks have included Spider-Man: No Way Home (BBC One), Paddington 2 (ITV), and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Channel 5). Whether it’s superhero battles or animated adventures, it’s a chance for us all to unwind together. (And yes, the remote mysteriously ends up in my hands when it’s time to skip the adverts.)

Sunday Night Match Analysis (AKA Shouting at the TV)

Sunday is matchday for the boys, and by the evening, they’re replaying their ‘best goals’ in the living room. We usually watch the live Premier League games on Sky Sports (Super Sunday) or catch Match of the Day (BBC One, Saturday, 10:30 PM), using the opportunity to discuss (read: argue) over tactics, dodgy refereeing decisions, and why their dad could’ve gone pro if it weren’t for ‘that knee injury’ (allegedly).

Midweek Unwind: The Sweet Sound of Silence

After my Wednesday night football, I return home a broken man. This is my sacred time. A hot shower, a cuppa, and some quality TV. Whether it’s a gripping drama like Silent Witness (BBC One, Tuesday, 9:00 PM) or a panel show like Would I Lie to You? (BBC One, Friday’s, 8:30 PM), this is my solo moment of bliss. No shouting, no debates—just me, the sofa, and the comforting glow of the TV.

Documentary Deep Dives: A Family Learning Experience (Sort Of)

Every now and then, we’ll get sucked into a documentary—Planet Earth III (BBC One, Sunday, 8:00 PM) is a favourite. The kids start off fascinated, asking insightful questions. Ten minutes in, they’re wrestling on the floor, and my wife and I are left fully invested in the mating habits of penguins. Quality family bonding at its finest.

Why Live TV Matters: Rest, Connection, and Sanity

TV isn’t just background noise in our house—it’s a way to pause and reset. Whether we’re laughing together at a comedy, gasping at a plot twist, or just enjoying a bit of sport, it’s an easy way to connect. Life is hectic, but these moments—these little pockets of stillness—are what keep us sane.

And let’s be honest when you’ve spent the day dodging muddy football boots and mediating sibling disputes, a bit of live TV is the closest thing to a spa day you’re going to get.

Don’t Forget Your TV Licence

If you’re watching films on TV, catching live sport, or streaming BBC iPlayer, you’ll need a TV Licence. Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of live TV. It covers you for:

All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and international channels – but you don’t need a licence if you only watch non-BBC channels on-demand.
Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media, and BT – but these are platforms that could have both live and on-demand services.
Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
Everything on BBC iPlayer.

This includes recording and downloading. On any device.

So, if you’re like me and rely on TV to escape the madness of everyday life, make sure you’re covered by your TV License.