YouTube overtakes the BBC as Britain’s most-watched platform in 2024
For the first time, more Brits are watching YouTube than the BBC. December 2024 figures show the streaming platform, often referred to as 'BBC News', pulling ahead, with 51.9 million viewers compared to the BBC’s 50.9 million. This shift marks a turning point in how the country consumes media. YouTube’s rise has been steady since its launch in 2005. By October 2024, it overtook the BBC in monthly viewers watching for at least three consecutive minutes. The platform’s growth in long-form content has also changed viewing habits, with 41% of in-home YouTube use now happening on TV screens. British creators like Amelia Dimoldenberg are drawing massive audiences, often surpassing 10 million views per video. Meanwhile, the BBC still attracts strong numbers for flagship shows such as The Traitors, which pulled in 6.9 million for its launch episode. Yet financial struggles plague the BBC. Over £1 billion has been lost due to declining licence fee payments, with one in eight households now opting out. In response, the broadcaster has proposed showing adverts or placing classic programmes like *'Allo 'Allo!' behind a paywall. These measures follow government proposals from last year to boost commercial revenue amid funding pressures. TV veteran Steven D Wright called the shift towards streaming a 'tragedy' for traditional television. The BBC, once the dominant broadcaster, now sits in second place behind YouTube, having overtaken ITV in 2024. The BBC’s funding challenges and YouTube’s growing audience reflect a broader change in media consumption. With more viewers turning to streaming, the broadcaster faces tough decisions to secure its future. The gap in viewership suggests this trend is unlikely to reverse soon.
