Television and the Labor Supply: Evidence from the Digital Television Transition in the UK

Abstract

<h3>Abstract</h3> I exploit variation in the date of transition from analogue to digital television signal in the UK across more than 40,000 geographical units to investigate the causal impact of television on employment. Using an event study model, I find that the digital transition increases employment probabilities. The impact is driven by mothers, primarily through an increase in part-time employment. I also show that the digital transition keeps children busy by increasing their TV viewing time and reduces the number of hours mothers spend on housework, as well as their reported family burdens.