C5 Sees Audience Share Growth

According to ITC audience share figures released today, Channel 5’s audience share stands at an average of 3.2% for the 12 month period ended 31 March 1998. This compares to only 2.3% average for the 12 month period ended 31 December 1997 – only three months earlier.

For the same two reporting periods BBC1 fell from an average of 30.8% to 30.4%. BBC2’s share of audience also decreased from 11.5% to 11.3%.

Channel 4 lost 0.1% points, taking its audience share to 10.0%, and all ITV regions (including GMTV) fell from 33.0% to 32.4%.

The ITC calculates these figures in order to ensure that no one licence-holder commands more than 15% of television audience share – a regulation of the licence.

Note: All comparisons above are made between the periods 12 months ended 31 December 1997 and 12 months ended 31 March 1998.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 255 3000