Channel 4 records first increase in all-time viewing share since 2006

8 January 2016

The release of fully consolidated BARB ratings for 2015 has shown that Channel 4 has recorded an increase in its all-time viewing share of 5.92%, up +1% on 2014 – the first increase in Channel 4 viewing share since 2006. 

Channel 4 was also the only main terrestrial channel to grow its audience across all three major demographics of all-individuals (up +1%), 16-34s (up +2%) and ABC1s (up +6%).

BBC1 is the only other main terrestrial channel to have grown audience share in 2015, also recording a +1% rise in all-time viewing.

Channel 4 also recorded the largest increase in peak-time (7pm to 11pm) viewing share of all the main terrestrials – with viewing share of 6.96% up +8% on 2014.  Its peak-time share of key audience demographics also saw large increases, up +7% for 16-34s and up +13% for ABC1s.

Channel 4 has invested record levels of content spend over the last four years of above £430m.  The increases to Channel 4 viewing have been driven particularly by a successful schedule of returning series commissioned over this period, including the likes of Humans, Indian Summers, Catastrophe, Gogglebox, The Island, SAS: Who Dares Wins, The Jump,  Hunted and The Secret Life of 4,5 and 6 Year Olds. 

This news follows a year of critical acclaim for the channel having won more BAFTAs than any other single channel and more Grierson awards than any other broadcaster.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, said: “Channel 4 has had a fantastic year with hits in every genre and a bucket load of awards. I’m grateful to the amazing producers, directors and writers we work with and to my hugely talented commissioning team at 4.”

Channel 4 has also shown the most growth of any of the main terrestrial broadcaster portfolios in peak, increasing its share of viewing between 7pm and 11pm by +2% on 2014 (from 11.64% to 11.88%).   Across all-time, the Channel 4 portfolio was down marginally at -2% (10.63% against 10.85%) – but was the only main commercial portfolio to show an increase for ABC1 viewers, with +1% growth on 2014.