MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 04:42:11| >> :600:110717937:110717937:

New research supports argument for restoration of BBC Three as TV channel

New data suggests that viewing of BBC Three content has declined by almost two thirds in the five years since it switched to an online-only proposition.

BBC Three's monthly user reach has dropped more than 60% in the five years since the service switched to an online-only proposition, according to new research from Enders Analysis published in Broadcast.

In 2015, the last full year that BBC Three operated as a TV channel, the monthly audience stood at 22.7 million but that number had fallen to just 8.8 million by 2019.

The figure includes linear viewing of BBC Three content on BBC One and BBC Two, which accounted for the lion's share of BBC Three audiences, suggesting that linear TV is still a major driver.

The research does not account for the significant upsurge in BBC Three viewing during this year's coronavirus lockdown, led mainly by the runaway success of Normal People.

"In the context of youth channels like BBC3, this raises doubts about whether young audiences are, in the words of former director general Tony Hall, 'more ready to move to an online world'," said Neil Thurman, author of the report.

"Viewers are freer to choose what to watch now, unrestricted by the linear schedule, and my study indicates they might be using this freedom to watch a different mixture of programmes than before."

Earlier this year the BBC suggested that it may look at reviving BBC Three as a linear TV channel in the near future, potentially at the expense of BBC Four moving to online or being offered as a subscription service.

ID:413613: cacheID:413613:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2114:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Limited-Time Offer: Get Sky Cinema, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £27 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 21st March 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
BBC Three logo
Read Next:
BBC to end "linear expansion" amid BBC Three, Four rumours
>
Read more about Neil Thurman Entertainment
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Friday, March 15


Celebrity Big Brother: Live Eviction: ITV1, 9pm
With just one week to go, time to get whittling down those numbers further...

Comic Relief: Funny For Money: BBC One, from 7pm
Hosts include Davina McCall, David Tennant, Joel Dommett - and for the last time ever, Sir Lenny Henry

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World: BBC Three, 9pm
Motsi Mabuse, Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec guest star for this week's challenge - Strictly Come Prancing...

Coronation Street: ITV1, 8pm
Roy is arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lauren Bolton