The return of Gogglebox helped C4 drive share of viewing up for the first time since 2006.
Following a 31-year low recorded in 2014, Channel 4’s share of viewing increased 1% in 2015 to 5.92% – the first increase since 2006.
Bolstered by hit shows including Humans, Hunted and Gogglebox, fully consolidated BARB ratings for 2015 reveal that Channel 4 was also the only terrestrial channel to grow its audience across all three major demographics – with all-individuals up 1%, 16-34s up 2% and ABC1s up 6%.
The broadcaster 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.
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BBC One was the only other main terrestrial channel to grow its audience share in 2015 – also up 1%.
“Channel 4 has had a fantastic year with hits in every genre and a bucket load of awards,” said chief creative officer Jay Hunt.
“I’m grateful to the amazing producers, directors and writers we work with and to my hugely talented commissioning team at 4.”
Over the last four years Channel 4 has invested record levels of content spend of more than £430 million. Indian Summers, Catastrophe, The Island, SAS: Who Dares Wins, The Jump and The Secret Life of 4,5 and 6 Year Olds also helped drive share of viewing ratings up.
2016 brings high hopes for the broadcaster too, following the recent winning of the Formula 1 rights from the BBC, which will see 10 live Formula 1 races shown on Channel 4 between 2016 and 2018, all ad-free.
