July 20, 2016

The report assesses the performance of the designated public service broadcasters: the BBC, ITV, STV, UTV, Channel 4, S4C and Channel 5.

It includes statistical information on how much these broadcasters are spending on new programmes, and the amount of programmes they are showing in different genres.  It also looks at the extent to which audiences are watching these programmes and how satisfied they are with them.

The research has found that:

• viewing to the five main PSB channels accounted for 51% of all broadcast TV viewing in 2015;
• the average individual in the UK watched three hours and 36 minutes of TV per day in 2015, a decline of 26 minutes since 2010;
• the decline of TV viewing is more evident among younger people under 25, who watched a quarter less TV than they did in 2010;
• the PSB channels spent £2.5 billion on new programmes in 2015, and increased spending on factual programmes and drama from 2014. They decreased spending on children’s programmes, the arts and classical music; and
• UK audiences continue to value PSBs, with 73% of viewers saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with their programmes.

The report is based on data up to and including 2015.  To read Ofcom’s press release in full and for a link to the report, click here.