Tv viewing declines as streaming services take over, public broadcasters adapt

Shift towards Streaming Services Leads to Decline in TV Viewing

According to a report by media regulator Ofcom, British TV viewing is experiencing a significant decline as older audiences are joining the shift towards streaming services. The proportion of people watching traditional TV broadcasts in a given week has fallen from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022, marking the sharpest decline on record. This trend is particularly noticeable among 16- to 24-year-olds, with only 54% of young people watching any live television. The average Briton now spends four hours and 28 minutes consuming video content daily, with just two hours dedicated to traditional live TV broadcasts. Video sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok are gaining popularity and taking up more of the audience's time.

Public Service Broadcasters Adapt to Changing Landscape

While streaming platforms are gaining traction, public service broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and S4C continue to produce a substantial amount of content consumed by Britons. These broadcasters still bring the nation together for important cultural and sporting events, despite the decline in viewership of their scheduled live programs. However, there has been a significant decrease in the number of programs attracting mass audiences, with the number of shows with over 4 million viewers more than halving in recent years. Streaming platforms have not yet achieved the same cultural power as traditional broadcasters, as their audience is spread thinly across a large number of shows.

Challenges and Adaptations in the Streaming Era

The cost of living crisis has resulted in a stagnation in the number of households with access to paid streaming services, leaving a third of households reliant on traditional broadcast television and free catch-up services. Despite these changes, public service broadcasters are adapting to audience needs by digitizing their services and experiencing positive growth in their on-demand players. They are embracing the shift towards streaming by providing on-demand content and expanding their digital offerings. While the landscape of TV viewing is changing, public service broadcasters are finding ways to stay relevant and engage with their audiences in the streaming era.