Shift

Whilst the BBC has been patting itself on the back for strong performances amid all the lockdown restrictions, Ofcom research shows subscription services have done even better. An estimated 12 million adults took out a new Video on Demand package during the lockdown; for three million, it was their first such subscription, seven million were adding to existing deals, and two million were coming back, having cancelled a previous deal. 

In April, during full lockdown, tv and video consumption was running at 6hrs 25mins per person per day - 90 minutes up on the 2019 average. Broadcast tv (live, recorded or on demand) accounted for 3 hrs 46 mins, up by 32 minutes on 2019. But subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, moved to 1hr 11mins a day - 37 minutes higher than in 2019. Those aged 16-34 watched these services for two hours a day on average.

As lockdown measures eased, broadcast TV viewing fell back, but by the end of June was still 11%

higher than in the same week in 2019. Streaming services and other non-broadcaster content (including YouTube and video games) however retained the uplift, up 71% year on year in the last week of June.

The report says "The boost in PSB audience figures driven by increased viewing of news programming was shortlived. By June 2020, PSBs’ combined viewing share had fallen to 54.6%, its lowest level since

August 2019, with the lack of soaps and the loss of key sporting events and entertainment programmes keenly felt."