Channel 4 says it has started 2026 by outgrowing major UK streaming rivals while also increasing its linear commercial share, citing strong performance across both viewing and advertising in January.
The broadcaster reported a 25% year-on-year rise in streaming viewer minutes across January, which it said was ahead of the UK BVOD services from the BBC, ITV and 5, as well as SVOD platforms including Sky, Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV.
On linear, Channel 4 said its portfolio delivered market-leading growth in commercial impacts, up 14% year on year, with gains across every demographic and a 18% increase among 16-34s. Channel 4 also reported a 15% rise in UK organic views of full episodes on YouTube.
Among 16-34s, Channel 4 said streaming accounted for 50% of their total Channel 4 viewing in January, which it described as higher than any other commercial broadcaster.
Channel 4 attributed the performance to a slate of originals and returning formats. It said Patience was the number 1 drama on commercial BVOD since returning, with episode 1 delivering a 28-day audience of 4.2 million and streaming minutes up 38% year on year. The Great Pottery Throw Down posted a 51% rise in streaming minutes in January and reached a 19% linear share among 16-34s, while new title What Not To Eat delivered a 28-day audience of 1.9 million for episode 1 and 55 million streaming viewer minutes across the series.
The broadcaster also highlighted Secret Genius with a consolidated 7-day audience of 1.8 million, Catching A Killer with a 2 million linear audience, and Africa Cup of Nations coverage including a 1.7 million peak audience for the final on E4 and 700,000 viewers via Channel 4 streaming, which it said delivered E4’s biggest daily share in more than 20 years.
Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said the results showed Channel 4 was growing on both streaming and linear, driven by what he called a “bold” slate of British programming.
