Television Viewing Round-Up – June 2005
There were significant downturns in viewing share for the majority of Britain’s terrestrial television broadcasters during June, as negative growth for all but BBC Two reflected the increasing competition posed by multi-channel digital television.
All Viewing
The BBC’s flagship terrestrial station, BBC One, was less fortunate than its smaller counterpart in All Homes, however, but remains the most-watched terrestrial channel despite a dip of 1.8% points year on year, commanding a share of 23.9%.
BBC Two’s addition of 0.89% points in the same period will be welcomed by the Corporation, as it expects further success later this month, with a range of comedy offerings including Ricky Gervais’ new series, Extras (see BBC Pins Hopes On Extras For Audience Growth).
Meanwhile, ITV1 shed the largest amount from its viewing share during June, losing 2.4% points to push its total down to 19.7% despite several high points during the month, including the broadcast of Ladette to Lady, which snatched the reality crown, momentarily, from Channel 4’s Big Brother (see ITV Delivers Winning Dose Of Reality).
Channel 4 saw its audience share slip slightly, losing 0.5% points to total 10.32%, while Five remained virtually unchanged, losing just 0.07% points, leaving its total share at 6.68%.
The nation’s other channels continued to enjoy growth in viewing share, as multi-channel TV takeup continues to gather pace. The sector added 3.8% points year on year in June, with its now totaling 29.8%.
Digital Viewing
There was a similar picture amongst the nation’s Digital Homes, with BBC Two putting in a strong performance to add 1.7% points to its total share, which now stands at 7.3%.
BBC One was again in decline, although the downturn was not so pronounced in Digital Homes, as the channel lost 1% to total 19.4%.
ITV1 was again the worst casualty of multi-channel takeup, losing 1.9% points year on year from its share, which fell to 16.3% accordingly.
Channel 4 and Five were more fortunate, however, adding 0.05% points and 0.5% points to command shares of 8.7% and 5.2% respectively.
Other broadcasters made a slight increase in their viewing share, adding 0.6% points, but continued to dominate the viewing in Digital Homes, with a total share of 43.1%.
Freeview Vs Sky
BBC One Continued to dominate viewing amongst terrestrial channels, regardless of platform, but was again dwarfed by other broadcasters in Sky Digital Homes, due mainly to the increased choice afforded to viewers.
Other channels also proved popular in Freeview homes, however, with their share of 25% threatening to top BBC One’s 25.7%.
Elsewhere, all of the nation’s terrestrial broadcasters fared better in Freeview Homes, with ITV securing third place on the platform with a share of 19.5%, compared to 14.74% through Sky Digital.
BBC Two grabbed Freeview’s fourth place, with a share of 11.1%, while Channel 4 and Five held shares of 10.6% and 8.1% respectively to secure fifth and sixth positions.
BARB: www.barb.co.uk