Traditional TV sees biggest fall in viewers since Ofcom records began
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 Netflix and Apple, as well as social media sites such as YouTube and TikTok.
England v France in the World Cup was the most-watched programme of the year. Pic: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
But for the first time, Ofcom said, 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.
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.
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.
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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.”
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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