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YouTube Overtakes BBC in UK Viewership for First Time
14 Jan
Summary
- YouTube surpassed the BBC in viewership numbers in December.
- Barb data shows YouTube reached over 51.9 million viewers.
- BBC faces funding criticism amid declining license fee payments.
New figures reveal that YouTube has overtaken the BBC in viewership for the first time, with 51.9 million people watching the video platform in December, surpassing the BBC's 50.9 million.
Data from Barb indicates a consistent rise in YouTube's audience since October. While the BBC still attracts large numbers for specific shows, popular British YouTubers are drawing over 10 million viewers. BBC insiders downplay the findings, highlighting their strength in long-form viewing metrics.
The trend contributes to mounting criticism of the UK's license fee model, as the BBC lost over £1 billion last year. A significant number of households are not paying the fee, leading the BBC to consider advertising or paywalls for classic content.
