“The amount of shared family time at home has been declining owing to increasingly busy lifestyles and higher penetration of the Internet and video games. The times that household members do spend together, for example at dinner tend to be centered around television, which remains the main form of in-home entertainment for families. According to the General Media Survey published by DANE, TV remains the media with highest audience in the country (as measured by observers/users per day), at 94% in 2013, followed by radio (65%) and the Internet (55%).

As opposed to other media like the Internet (usage of which is concentrated amongst more affluent households), television is popular with families from all social classes, given the high penetration rates of TV sets (which reached 92.6% of households in 2014). The most popular TV programmes are series, soap operas and reality shows (although many Colombians will not admit to watching the second two). In addition, watching football on TV (especially matches involving the national team) while sharing a beer with friends is a popular pastime. On average, Colombians spend four hours per day watching TV, with viewership rates broadly similar amongst men and women; the highest viewership is found amongst individuals in the age band 5-17.

The technology boom driven by the Internet, mobile phones and video games is also changing the ways in which Colombians (especially younger ones) spend time at home.

Portafolio notes that 78% of people play video games, either through video game consoles; handheld game consoles; computers; or mobile phones.

Facebook is the undisputed social networking leader, accounting for 96% of total time Colombians spent on social networking sites in 2013. Usage is especially intensive amongst those aged 15-24.

Colombians’ attitudes to going out have also experienced a transformation in recent years, as a result of increasing household disposable income; declining levels of violence; and the rising number of shopping malls. Eating out in particular has been embraced by the middle class, both in standalone restaurants and food courts in shopping malls. Likewise, more middle class Colombians are going out “de rumba”, preferably in night clubs and bars. As incomes increase, consumers become more selective about where they go to eat, drink and dance, seeking places that fit their desired image. One sociologist and professor at the Universidad Industrial de Santander noted: “Colombians engage in leisure and recreation because they want to show socially who they are or who they want to be. In one way or another, what other people think plays an important part in consumption.”