BBC iPlayer continued to reap the benefits of lockdown in May by recording its biggest month to date.
There were a total of 570 million requests to stream programmes on iPlayer in May, up from 564 million programme requests in April, which was the previous best month on record. The figure represents growth of 72% on the same month last year.
“Before the lockdown period began and all the way through it, iPlayer has been providing a unique mix of entertaining, informative and educational television whenever and wherever people want it,” said Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC iPlayer.
Viewers have been enjoying shows such as Killing Eve and Normal People that benefit from a weekly slot on the BBC’s linear channels while the complete box set waits to be enjoyed on iPlayer.
Other strong performers in May included the new series of family drama The A Word, the one-off special Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe, returning entertainment series The Great British Sewing Bee and Glow Up and continuing dramas EastEnders and Casualty.