5 Streaming Q1 viewing hours surge 25%, leading UK PSB platforms.
UK broadcaster 5 announced its streaming service experienced the fastest growth among public service broadcaster (PSB) platforms in Q1 2026, with Barb data showing a 25% year-on-year increase in viewing hours. The growth, attributed to a slate of UK original dramas, outpaced declines at BBC iPlayer (-8%) and ITVX (-1%), and growth at 4 Streaming (+17%). The performance follows the broadcaster's strategic relaunch under the unified 5 brand in March 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Viewing hours on 5's streaming service increased 25% YoY in Q1 2026, the fastest growth among UK PSB platforms.
- The growth contrasts with declines at BBC iPlayer (-8%) and ITVX (-1%), while competitor 4 Streaming grew 17%.
- Growth was attributed to a slate of UK original dramas, led by 'Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards'.
- That leading title reached 4.2 million viewers across linear and streaming, becoming 5's most-watched show of the year so far.
- The results follow the service's March 2025 relaunch under the unified '5' brand, consolidating its linear and digital properties.
Why It Matters
The data shows a focused original content strategy can deliver significant audience growth, even for a smaller public service broadcaster. 5's 25% YoY increase in viewing hours validates its investment in UK-specific dramas. While larger players BBC iPlayer and ITVX saw hours decline, 5's performance suggests an appetite for PSB content that deviates from the established leaders, putting pressure on them to re-evaluate their commissioning. The key metric to watch is if 5 can sustain this growth into Q2, now that the initial impact of its March 2025 brand unification has annualized.
Read full article at broadbandtvnews.com
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