UKTV has become the fastest growing television network, according to data from audience researcher BARB, released by the broadcaster.
The network, jointly owned by BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks International, has increased its share of viewing by more than the other British terrestrial and digital TV networks combined.
The network averaged a 4.41% share of viewing, up 14% on the same period last year. Commercial, adult impacts rose by 14.5% across the same period. In June, UKTV achieved its highest ever share of commercial impacts (SOCI) at 8.44%.
Flagship entertainment channel Watch has broken the million-viewer mark 26 times (consolidated year-to-date), with biggest drivers coming from US acquisitions, Grimm and Alcatraz and its own commission, Dynamo: Magician Impossible.
Dave increased its parent channel numbers by 21%, with a growth of 12% in pay-TV homes, year-on-year, inclusive of 27% growth in the valuable 16-34 demographic. The channel’s first US acquisition, Suits, achieved 711,000 viewers, an increase of 100% on slot average and 198% in Pay homes.
Gold, which hits its 20th anniversary this October, is now the 10th ranking non-terrestrial in Pay homes, with 16-34s improving 14% year-on-year, and Alibi played its highest rating programme to date, Body of Proof, which averaged 590,000 viewers.
The biggest growth has come from Really, which increased audiences by a staggering 997%, having secured terrestrial Freeview capacity last August, also growing pay-TV audiences 128%.
