Netflix overtakes BBC One to become UK’s most-watched network
For the first time ever, Netflix has overtaken BBC One as the most-watched TV service in the United Kingdom, overtaking the domestic network for a three-month period in 2024.
While this status may not be permanent, it does signify a potential battle between traditional television services and streaming platforms. The BBC has denied this new report from Deadline, saying that it was “meaningless” to compare the entirety of Netflix with one channel, especially given that their catalogue of shows has double the viewers of the streamer.
The UK’s official rating body, BARB, released figures showing that Netflix surpassed BBC1 with their viewers in September, October and November. During these three months, Netflix’s viewers reached 43.2 million, with BBC One trailing behind with 42.3 million.
BBC One went ahead of Netflix in December, despite the fact that Netflix reached a new record of 46.4 million after the release of popular series’ such as Black Doves. During this time, BBC One reached 48.4 million viewers, which was aided by the release of festive hits such as the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
Netflix has consistently been ahead of ITV One, the UK’s second-largest television network, since March 2023. The channel briefly surpassed Netflix last summer, with its overall audience increasing during Euro 2024 before dropping again in August.
With the rise of streaming platforms, many networks have seen their ratings decline, while online viewing has grown in popularity. Despite this change in viewing habits, there are other data points that put the traditional networks ahead of Netflix. ITV stayed ahead of Netflix with its total viewing hours, which reached 12.3 billion in 2024 compared to Netflix’s total of 8.7 billion, which is 42 per cent higher.