The Curious Phenomenon of TV Pickup

Britain’s electricity consumption is closely related to television and tea. The connection becomes particularly evident when a popular television programme comes to an end. Almost simultaneously, millions of viewers rise from their sofas, head to their kitchens and switch on their electric kettles to make a cup of tea. Within minutes, the nation's electricity consumption shoots up by thousands of megawatts. This peculiar occurrence, known as TV pickup, is a well-documented feature of Britain's electricity network.

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