Netflix overtakes BBC in UK audience survey
For the first time, Netflix has become the default TV service for Britons, edging past the BBC, according to Ofcom's annual report.
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has released its annual report on the country's media habits, and one standout finding is that Netflix is now the preferred choice for viewers. According to the research, 26% of viewers would turn to the streaming giant as their default, compared to 25% for the BBC and 15% for ITV.
Netflix overtaking the BBC, despite the latter's long-standing structural advantages, underscores how much the broadcasting landscape has shifted. The data also reveals sharp generational divides. Netflix has become the default for 25- to 34-year-olds, while older demographics still favor traditional broadcasters. Meanwhile, 16- to 24-year-olds are flocking to YouTube, with minutes watched on the platform doubling since 2022.
Across all devices, the regulator estimates Brits watch an average of 41 minutes of YouTube per day. This trend is partly driven by over-75s abandoning traditional TV for the platform. YouTube's rise was notably cited to justify Sky's (Comcast) purchase of ITV, and it's clear that the Google-owned service is what really worries broadcasters.
The news of Netflix's ascendancy comes on the same day the BBC announced the cancellation of several shows, including "Blankety Blank," "Celebrity Mastermind," and "Live at the Apollo." These cuts are part of a plan to save £500 million ($664 million) over the next five years. By the end of 2028, the BBC expects to reduce original TV programming by around 150 hours, giving audiences more reasons to explore what Netflix has to offer.
