Channel 4 says it led the shift of younger audiences to streaming in 2025, with 16-34 viewers watching the majority of their Channel 4 consumption via streaming for the first time across a full year.
The broadcaster said 16-34s streamed 53% of their total Channel 4 viewing in 2025, up from 42% in 2024 and 36% in 2023, marking what it described as a “tipping point” where streaming overtakes linear for younger audiences.
Using newly consolidated BARB data, Channel 4 reported streaming viewer minutes across all individuals were up 15% year-on-year in 2025. It also said it delivered the highest growth among commercial broadcaster peers in Share of Commercial Impacts (SOCI), up 2%.
Channel 4 added that adult viewing on its streaming service reached 72 billion viewer minutes in 2025, up 16% year-on-year, which it said was faster than each of the UK’s 7 biggest streamers. It also positioned its streaming audience as the youngest and most upmarket among commercial broadcaster streamers, with 16-34s accounting for 23% of adult viewer minutes and ABC1s for 57%.
The growth was driven by a slate of original titles, including Patience (4.2 million series average), In Flight (2.5 million), Finding Father Christmas (2.2 million), 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story (2.1 million), Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text (2.1 million series average), The Disappearance of Jay Slater (1.7 million), Manhunt (1.6 million series average), Virgin Island (1.6 million series average), Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence (1.6 million) and Brian & Maggie (1.5 million series average).
On linear, Channel 4 said it secured 5 of the top 10 most-watched non-sport commercial TV shows among 16-34s, led by The Great British Bake Off (1.4 million), followed by Virgin Island (0.8 million).
The broadcaster also highlighted its social video strategy, reporting 175 million UK organic views of full episodes on YouTube in 2025, up 56% year-on-year. 24 Hours in Police Custody was the top title on the platform with 18.9 million UK organic views, while Grand Designs delivered 8.2 million.
Ian Katz, Channel 4 Chief Content Officer, said the performance reflected progress in its transition into a “public service streamer”, driven by a combination of new hits and returning favourites.
