WENN/L. Gallo

President Barack Obama and wife Michelle have opened up about their television viewing habits.

The couple, who are parents to Malia, 11, and 8-year-old Sasha, told People that their children are only allowed to watch television at the weekend.

"They can only watch the kid-TV channels for the most part, because you just never know," said Mrs Obama.

Her husband added: "Unless they want to watch football with me, which they're always welcome. But somehow they haven't been drawn to that yet."

The president went on to say that he liked watching ESPN's SportsCenter while he worked out in the mornings alongside his wife.

"I tend to be much more informed about sports than I'd like," she joked, prompting the president to reply: "No, that's not true. Michelle actually knows her sports, which is important in our marriage."

When asked if they watched MTV's Jersey Shore, Mrs Obama said: "I've heard about it. Not seen it."