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“Hollyoaks” has become the first UK soap to be available on YouTube globally.
This groundbreaking move allows fans worldwide to stream full episodes for free, following the successful launch of full episodes on YouTube in the UK last year as part of a stream-first model.
Internationally, the episodes will follow the same pattern as the UK, becoming available daily one week after their Channel 4 airing. Viewers can watch these episodes on the official Hollyoaks YouTube channel.
The international release will start with 20 episodes, allowing viewers to catch up before joining the daily release schedule. The first international storyline features Hollyoaks’ Pride celebrations, with Kitty performing “Over the Rainbow” amidst concerns about conversion therapy in the village.
Produced by Lime Pictures, part of All3Media, “Hollyoaks” was previously available on Hulu in the US. The availability on YouTube aims to provide fans easier access and reach new audiences where the show isn’t otherwise available. Since its debut in October 1995, the award-winning drama has garnered critical acclaim for its bold storylines, beloved characters, and youthful perspective.
Recent viewing figures show nearly 40% year-on-year growth in streaming views per episode on Channel 4 in the first quarter of this year. Social media engagement has also surged, with Snapchat views up 350% and TikTok views up 116% year-on-year. In the UK and Ireland alone, full-length episodes on YouTube saw 5.8 million minutes of watch time in Q1 2024, with 67% of views coming from 13-34-year-olds.
Kate Little, Joint Managing Director of Lime Pictures, expressed her excitement: “Hollyoaks is always synonymous with digital firsts, and I am delighted that the show’s global audience will now be able to find and watch episodes when they want on YouTube. This digital-first approach will allow new and existing audiences worldwide to get their Hollyoaks fix with ease.”
Channel 4’s in-house social agency, 4Studio, reported a threefold increase in UK viewing of full episodes of TV shows in Q1, driven by their social network Channel 4.0. Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio, added: “We’re hugely excited to see Hollyoaks’ continual growth on YouTube, and this innovative move towards global distribution will only supercharge it further. YouTube is a core viewing platform for young viewers in the UK and abroad, making it the perfect place to reach new audiences with the best soap on TV.”
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