Viewers are switching off traditional TV at record rates, according to a new Ofcom report.
With more competition than ever from streamers, the proportion of people watching a programme on broadcast TV each week dropped from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022 – the biggest decline since records began, the watchdog said.
Younger viewers have long been turning to platforms such as Netflixand Apple, as well as social media sites such as YouTube and TikTok.
Image: England v France in the World Cup was the most-watched programme of the year. Pic: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
But for the first time, Ofcomsaid, there is now evidence of a significant decline in average daily broadcast TV viewing among “core” older audiences (aged 65+) – a drop of 10% year on year, and down 6% on pre-pandemic levels.
Another notable shift, the Media Nations 2023 report found, is the average time spent watching broadcast television per person per day – which fell from two hours 59 minutes in 2021 to two hours 38 minutes in 2022.
There was some good news for public service broadcasters, with the research showing they still dominate the UK’s most-watched list thanks to big TV moments such as England’s World Cup matches and the Queen’s jubilee and funeral.
Top 10 most watched programmes of 2022
England v France: World Cup quarter final
16.1m
ITV
The Queen’s funeral
13.2m
BBC 1
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
13.2m
BBC 1
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
12.5m
ITV
The Tourist
11.4m
BBC 1
Happy New Year Live!
11.3m
BBC 1
England v Germany: Women’s Euro 2022 final
11.2m
BBC 1
Trigger Point
10.9m
ITV
Strictly Come Dancing
10.7m
BBC 1
The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe
10.1m
ITV
* Data from Ofcom, based on highest-performing episode per title
However, the number of programmes with more than four million TV viewers has more than halved over the past eight years, from 2,490 in 2014, to 1,184 in 2022.
More on Ofcom
Related Topics:
Only 48 programmes averaged more than four million TV viewers on streaming platforms in 2022, with Netflix accounting for the vast majority.
These declines are a reflection of fewer people watching the main early and late evening TV news bulletins, Ofcom said, as well as a “steady decline” in viewing figures for popular soaps such as Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale – with the number of episodes attracting four million viewers or more down 42% from 754 in 2014 to 438 in 2022.
BBC One and ITV1 remain first and second choice for viewers when they initially turn on their TV, with 20% and 13% respectively, with Netflix third with 6%.
The usage of on-demand services, such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX, continues to grow.
Today’s viewers are spoiled with an “all-you-can-eat” buffet of broadcasting and online content to choose from, said Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s group director for strategy and research.
“Our traditional broadcasters are seeing steep declines in viewing to their scheduled, live programmes – including among typically loyal older audiences – and soaps and news programmes don’t have the mass-audience pulling power they once had,” he said.
“But despite this, public service broadcasters are still unrivalled in bringing the nation together at important cultural and sporting moments, while their on-demand players are seeing positive growth as they digitalise their services to meet audience needs.”
Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.
Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.
A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.
A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.
“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”
The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.
The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.
Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Image: The England squad outside No 10. Pic: PA
Image: Leah Williamson carries the trophy. Pic: AP
Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.
“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”
Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.
“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.
More on Lionesses
Related Topics:
Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.
Image: England manager Sarina Wiegman and some of the players on a video call with Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters
Image: Pic: PA
Image: Angela Rayner congratulates some of the players. Pic: Reuters
In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”
“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.
“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”
As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.
Image: Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson in the garden at No 10. Pic: PA
Image: England’s Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat’s attention. Pic: PA
The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.
The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
3:58
Behind the scenes after Lionesses’ win
Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 ahead in the first half, but England’s Alessia Russo levelled the score in the 57th minute.
The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with the score remaining the same at the end of extra-time.