Netflix edges BBC as first choice for UK viewers, Ofcom report shows
Ofcom said 26% of viewers now choose Netflix first, edging the BBC at 25% as YouTube and on-demand services gain ground.
- On Wednesday, media regulator Ofcom reported that Netflix has edged ahead of the BBC as Britons' first choice for television, with 26% of viewers turning to the U.S. streaming service first compared with 25% for the national broadcaster.
- While these figures mark a shift from the prior year, Ofcom noted methodological changes make the numbers indicative only; Kate Davies, group director for strategy and research at Ofcom, emphasized fierce competition from global streaming platforms.
- Broken down by age, the figures shift vastly: 36% of 16-24 year olds opt for Netflix first, while 48% of viewers aged 75 and over choose the 100-year-old national broadcaster, with older audiences' streaming hours skyrocketing 56%.
- Defending its position, a BBC spokesman noted that eight of the 10 most-watched programmes of 2026 have aired on the network, with the corporation accounting for 18% of all video viewing compared with 9% for Netflix.
- Ofcom warned of "growing challenges" for traditional broadcasters regarding third-party funding, while the BBC navigates the ongoing Charter Review to ensure it can deliver for UK audiences amid a competitive media landscape.
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11 Articles
Britons ditch BBC for American streamers as Ofcom reveals 'challenges' for national broadcaster
Britons ditch BBC for American streamers as Ofcom reveals 'challenges' for national broadcaster . Scores of Britons are turning to American streamers over the BBC, a new Ofcom report has revealed, amid "growing challenges" for the national broadcaster
Netflix edges BBC as first choice for UK viewers, Ofcom report shows
Netflix has edged ahead of the BBC as Britons' first choice when deciding what to watch on television, media regulator Ofcom said on Wednesday, with 26% of viewers turning first to the U.S. streaming service compared with 25% for the BBC.
Ofcom Media Nations: Netflix Chosen Over BBC By UK Audiences
Netflix has narrowly become UK audiences’ first port of call. According to Ofcom’s latest Media Nations report, 26% of UK viewers in 2025 said the streamer is where they turn to first when thinking about what to watch, ahead of the BBC on 25% and well up on ITV (15%) and YouTube (10%). The figures […]
Evening Standard
Viewers now as likely to turn to Netflix as the BBC when deciding what to watch
Netflix is now the first choice for 26% of viewers when looking for something to watch – with the BBC at 25%, according to an Ofcom report.
Ofcom reports that 26% of UK viewers in 2025 chose Netflix first for TV viewing, vs. 25% for the BBC; in 2024, 28% turned to the BBC first and 23% to Netflix (Max Goldbart/Deadline)
Max Goldbart / Deadline: Ofcom reports that 26% of UK viewers in 2025 chose Netflix first for TV viewing, vs. 25% for the BBC; in 2024, 28% turned to the BBC first and 23% to Netflix — Netflix has narrowly become UK audiences' first port of call. … The figures mark a shift from the prior year …
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