The CBS UK Channels family has produced another record year with 2018 seeing their share of commercial impacts at a record high.
CBS Reality has established itself as the UK’s top factual channel for women over 16 through popular original series Evidence of Evil and Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files (pictured).
The Horror Channel is the 2nd most-watched free-to-air movie channel in the UK amongst men 25-54.
Between them CBS Reality, CBS Justice, CBS Drama and Horror Channel delivered 2.7% of the UK’s adult commercial TV audience in 2018 for owners AMC Networks International; a 4% increase year on year.
Kevin Dickie, EVP/MD, AMCNI UK, said, “The CBS UK channel portfolio enjoyed its strongest year on record. CBS Reality continues to dominate the market among women, driven by our outstanding original true crime series. CBS Justice, CBS Drama and, most notably, Horror Channel – which is the UK’s 2nd most-watched movie channel among men 25-54 – have all had remarkable audience growth, with viewers responding to our compelling line-up of drama series and horror, sci-fi and fantasy titles.”
The overall UK audience share of the channels was 1.69% in 2018, up from 1.58% in 2017, according to official BARB data.
Robert Haiat, SVP Business Development from CBS Studios International said, “With another record breaking year behind the CBS UK channel portfolio, we’re excited to work together with the AMCNI team to drive further growth in 2019 and beyond. Our focus remains on delivering some of the most watched programming from the US while supporting CBS Reality’s successful original programming efforts.”
CBS Reality now produces at least six UK Originals per year including a number of returning series, co-created with production companies from the UK, Wales, Ireland and Canada.
Horror Channel, CBS Justice (previously CBS Action) and CBS Drama experienced their fourth consecutive year of growth.
