Channel 4 has seen YouTube audiences for full episodes of hit shows such as First Dates, Murder Case: Digital Detectives and Grand Designs (pictured) swelled by more than two-and-a-half times over the last 12 months.
Newly released data for 2024 shows the Channel 4 YouTube channel record a higher average views per video than equivalent channels from the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, as well as more views than ITV, Sky and Channel 5. Channel 4 News also drove higher average views per video on YouTube than ITV News and Sky News.
In all, Channel 4 achieved 2.3 billion views across its social output in 2024, up 5.5% year on year as part of its Fast Forward strategy of growing social views.
Sacha Khari, Channel 4’s Head of Digital Commissioning, said: “In just two years, we’ve built a huge global fan base for British-made original content across YouTube and social platforms, delivering quality entertainment and factual programming wherever our viewers choose to watch. Growing this digital network has created incredible opportunities for my team to collaborate with UK producers, creators and brands – bringing Channel 4 values and award-winning content to young audiences. I’m excited to share more in the coming months about how we’re building on this success.”
The data also reveals the success of Channel 4’s strategy to reach young viewers via YouTube, with views of full episodes up 169% year-on-year, surpassing 110 million organic views in the UK. Hit shows included Gogglebox and First Dates, drawing in 4.3 and 2.9 million views respectively, while its Channel 4 Documentaries channel drove interest from viewers with series such as Murder Case: Digital Detectives (4.2 million views), 60 Days On The Estates (2.7 million views) and To Catch A Copper (2.5 million views).
Among all Channel 4 social platforms, TikTok – across the seven niche, genre-specific channels it now operates – posted the biggest annual audience growth with an 81% rise from 2023. Married At First Sight UK was one of big successes with multiple videos driving millions of views, including the series teaser earning 14.5 million UK views.
