FACTSHEET 4 Consumption of broadcast TV Oxford Media Convention March 2017 1
This factsheet has been compiled by Ofcom and provides some background information to aid discussion at the 2017 Oxford Media Convention. It explores consumption of broadcast TV, drawing on BARB* viewing data. Consumption of Video on Demand is covered in a separate factsheet. * BARB (Broadcasters Audience Research Board) measures all scheduled TV content viewed on TV sets, including recordings and catch-up viewing to those programmes up to seven days after broadcast. 2
Total TV reach, millions Market Context The following pages present TV viewing data drawn from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB). The proportion of TV individuals aged 4+ in the UK who tuned in to broadcast TV in a typical week dipped by 0.5pp between 2015 and 2016, but remained high at 9 in 10 people (Figure 1). Figure 1: Average weekly reach, total TV: 2010-2016 60 Total TV reach, millions Total TV reach, % 53.2 54.0 53.9 53.9 54.1 53.5 54.0 100% 40 20 93.1% 94.1% 94.0% 93.4% 92.4% 91.8% 91.3% 95% 90% 85% Total TV reach, % 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 80% Source: BARB, Individuals 4+, Network. Reach criteria = 15 consecutive minutes of viewing, full weeks used per year 3
Market Context In 2016, time spent viewing traditional broadcast TV on a TV set was 3 hours 32 minutes per person (aged 4+) per day, on average (Figure 2). It is a 4 minute decline (-2%) from 2015, which continues the pattern of decline seen since 2011. However, this is slower than the rate of decline seen previously. Since 2011 viewing has fallen across all age groups, except for those aged 65+ where it has remained fairly stable. The decline in viewing has been greatest, proportionally, among adults 16-24 and children aged 4-15 (by around a third). In 2016 the rate of decline year-on -year for adults 16-24 slowed slightly (-8.4%) compared to 2015 (-10.5%). However, the proportional decline for children increased; -8.8% in 2016 compared to -5.4% in 2015. Figure 2: Average minutes of daily viewing, total TV: 2010-2016 343 344 Adults 65+ 311 295 269 242 235 234 212 199 183 169 157 151 114 101 Adults 55-64 Adults 45-54 All individuals Adults 35-44 Adults 25-34 Adults 16-24 Children 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: BARB. Network. 4
Market Context Like viewing to all TV, time spent viewing the main PSB channels increases with age, with adults aged 65+ watching an average of 212 minutes per day of the main five PSB channels compared to 44 minutes amongst 16-24 year olds. Figure 3: Average minutes of daily viewing by channel group, total TV: 2016 344 295 78 212 63 157 183 235 73 82 42 41 All other channels Commercial PSBs' portfolio channels 32 108 114 101 38 45 26 15 30 44 56 29 64 61 31 82 36 119 162 212 BBC portfolio channels Main five PSB channels Source: BARB. Network. 2016 5
22% 22% 38% 14% 15% 11% 42% 20% 19% 29% 30% 9% Market Context Over the long term, the main five PSB channels have each seen steady falls in share since the establishment and growth of cable and satellite TV in the early 1990s, and as digital switchover took place at the end of 2012 (Figure 4). Yet despite increased channel choice, they continue to maintain half of total broadcast TV viewing (51% in 2016). When their portfolio of channels are taken into account, the share of the PSB family of channels rises to over two-thirds (70% in 2016). Figure 4: All day channel shares, all individuals: 1988-2016 100% 100 100 100 100 96 94 94 91 91 89 86 85 84 81 77 76 74 70 67 64 61 58 55 54 52 51 51 51 51 Main five PSB channels total (%) 80% All other channels PSB portfolios 60% 40% 20% 0% Channel 5 Channel 4 ITV BBC Two BBC One Source: BARB, TAM JICTAR and Ofcom estimates, individuals (4+). Network. New BARB panels introduced in 2002 and 2010, as a result, pre- and post-panel change data must be compared with caution (see dotted lines). The main five PSB channels include viewing to their HD channel variants but exclude viewing to their +1 channels. 6
Market Context The proportion of the TV population who watch each individual main PSB channel in a typical week has fallen over the long term, but the PSBs combined reach remains high at 83.3% in 2016 (Figure 5). Figure 5: Average weekly reach of the main PSB channels, all individuals: 2010-2016 88.4% 78.6% 68.0% 55.2% 53.4% 40.3% 83.3% 71.6% 56.7% 45.9% 43.0% 34.0% Main 5 PSB BBC One ITV BBC Two Channel 4 Channel 5 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: BARB. All individuals (4+), Network. Reach criteria: 15 consecutive minutes, full weeks used. 7
Market Context Compared to a decade ago, the time spent watching broadcast TV by the average individual remained broadly stable. However, age groups under 55 years old were watching less TV in 2016 than the same groups were in 2006 (Figure 6). The comparative drops in viewing is particularly pronounced among 16-24s, children (4-15) and 25-34 year olds. The arrows illustrate how the viewing behaviour of each age group changes as they move into the next age bracket*. While viewing among 16-24s increases slightly as they become 25-34s, the opposite is true of children as they become 16-24 year olds and 25-34 year olds as they become 35-44 year olds. From 35 years old, viewing increases significantly as people age. This suggests that the drivers of viewing are complex and multi-layered and that a mix of cohort (people taking their young viewing habits with them), life stage (people watching more TV as they get older) as well as technological and social influences are at play. Figure 6: Average weekly reach, total TV: 2006-2016 216 212 132 101 155 114 2006 2016 243 200 216 183 157 235 263 295 294 344 Individuals Children Adults 16-24 Adults 25-34 Adults 35-44 Adults 45-54 Adults 55-64 Adults 65+ Source: BARB, Network. New BARB panel introduced 1st Jan 2010. As a result pre and post panel change data must be treated with caution. *This analysis in not based on tracking the viewing habits of the same people but gives an indication of shifting viewing behaviours. 8