Netflix now reaches more viewers than BBC1 claims new report

For the first time, Netflix overtook BBC1 as the UK’s most-watched TV service for three consecutive months last year, according to an analysis by Deadline. This milestone marked a notable shift in the competition between traditional broadcasters and U.S. streaming platforms.

While the BBC regained its lead in December, the brief unseating of Britain’s top channel signals a potential turning point in the evolving media landscape. The BBC dismissed the comparison, stating it was “meaningless” to equate Netflix’s entire catalog with a single channel. The broadcaster also highlighted that its portfolio doubled Netflix’s overall reach.

Despite these claims, Netflix achieved a record audience of 46.4 million viewers in November, buoyed by the popularity of UK original series Black Doves. However, BBC1 rebounded in December with 48.4 million viewers, thanks to festive programming like Gavin & Stacey and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Data from BARB, the UK’s official ratings body, revealed Netflix’s audience reach surpassed BBC1’s in September, October, and November 2024. During these months, Netflix averaged 43.2 million viewers, narrowly edging out BBC1’s 42.3 million. Netflix has consistently outpaced ITV1, the UK’s second-largest broadcaster, since March 2023, although ITV1 briefly reclaimed second place during Euro 2024 before seeing its numbers drop sharply in August.

This data underscores not just Netflix’s steady growth in the UK but also the broader challenges facing traditional broadcasters. While linear TV networks have seen declining viewership, Netflix’s continued appeal to UK audiences highlights the shifting dynamics of television consumption in the streaming era.