Netflix Edges BBC as UK Viewers' Default Service — SkimNews
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- Netflix is now the first port of call for 26% of UK viewers, narrowly ahead of the BBC at 25%, according to Ofcom's annual Media Nations report.
- KPop Demon Hunters and Adolescence were the UK's most-watched programs in 2025, reaching audiences of more than 24 million and 16 million respectively — both Netflix originals.
- BBC is mounting a ratings fightback in early-to-mid 2026, with The Traitors and Tom Hiddleston's return in The Night Manager topping the charts, alongside the broadcaster's World Cup coverage.
- BBC still led total video viewing share at 18% in 2025 per Barb data, followed by YouTube (15%), ITV (11%), and Netflix (9%) — meaning Netflix's 'default' status is a top-of-mind win, not a viewing-time win.
- YouTube viewing on TV sets has doubled over the past four years, while live TV viewing among 16-24 year-olds and 4-15 year-olds each fell 17% and young adults watched 11 fewer minutes of broadcast and streaming at home, drawn to social media and gaming.
- Public service broadcasters — BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 — delivered more than 30,000 hours of UK-originated content last year, not including repeats, according to the Ofcom report.
Why it matters: Ofcom describes the landscape as 'fierce' — Netflix's 26% default-service lead despite holding only 9% of total viewing share shows how a US streamer can claim the cultural front door while public broadcasters still dominate screen time overall, and Ofcom credits traditional broadcasters' resilience specifically to live and event TV like the World Cup and The Traitors.
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