Netflix Surpasses BBC1 in UK Viewership, Marking Key Milestone

Netflix reached a significant milestone in 2024, surpassing BBC1 in audience reach for the first time, according to data from the UK’s official ratings body, BARB.

For three months—September, October, and November—Netflix averaged 43.2 million viewers, edging out BBC1’s 42.3 million. This shift marks a potential turning point in the competition between traditional broadcasters and U.S. streaming giants.

Despite this achievement, BBC1 reclaimed its lead in December, posting 48.4 million viewers, buoyed by popular holiday programming.

Netflix, however, posted a record reach of 46.4 million in the same month, driven by UK original series like Black Doves. ITV1, the UK’s second-largest network, briefly overtook Netflix last summer during Euro 2024 but has since fallen behind.

The audience reach metric measures the number of people who watch a service for at least three consecutive minutes each month.

While this figure is important, other metrics such as viewing hours and audience share show a more complex picture. ITV, for example, reported 12.3 billion viewer hours in 2024, far outpacing Netflix’s 8.7 billion.

Netflix’s rise is a reflection of the broader trend of declining viewership for traditional broadcasters, who are increasingly shifting to digital-first strategies with services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Netflix, however, is still catching up to the total reach of the BBC, which combines all of its channels, including BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, and BBC News. In December, the BBC’s total reach was 52.7 million, compared to Netflix’s 46.4 million.

While Netflix continues to gain ground, the BBC remains a dominant force, with its portfolio more than doubling Netflix’s reach over the course of the year. However, Netflix’s consistent growth in the UK suggests it is becoming a significant competitor to traditional TV networks.