Accepted TV wisdom says that traditional broadcasting’s days are numbered, and the US streamers are taking over. Up to a point, yes, but there’s still plenty of life left in television’s old guard. And no less an authority than Barb says so.
Last year saw UKTV deliver a 9.27% share of social impacts (SOCI), putting it marginally ahead of Sky’s branded channels (9.25%) and Channel 5’s portfolio (9.26%).
The results follow a big drive by the broadcaster to commission more original content. Storage Hunters UK Celebrity Special and Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish received UKTV’s highest ratings last year. Meanwhile comedy gameshow Taskmaster and sitcom Marley’s Ghosts also contributed to a boost in audience share.
The number of people watching on-demand and live-streamed content through online TV Player apps is to be recorded for the first time.
The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB), which already provides viewing figures for UK television audiences, will start producing a beta version of its TV Player Report in September.
The report is the first set of BARB data to focus on viewing that takes place on computer devices including laptops, tablets and smartphones.
