May 10, 2024 – Channel 4 streaming grew 22% year-on-year in April – with a total of 6.5 billion viewer minutes – according to new BARB data.

The new figures show viewing among 16-34s was up 15% year on year to 1.7 billion viewer minutes, as Channel 4 streaming reached more young viewers (16-34) than any other commercially funded broadcaster.

BARB data for April 2024 shows a range of new shows proved a hit with streamers including The Underdog: Josh must win, which attracted 101 million viewer minutes in April, and sees Nick Grimshaw, Vicky Pattison, Amber Gill and Pete Wicks secretly rig a reality show to make average guy Josh the winner among a polished cast of contestants. Other new hits included Stacey Solomon’s Renovation Rescue (53 million viewer minutes), Big Mood (49 million viewer minutes) and Murder Case: the Digital Detectives (64 million viewer minutes).

Channel 4 continues to accelerate towards a digital-first future, with a 17% jump year on year in the proportion of total viewing via streaming among all viewers, and, a 29% boost year on year among 16-34s.

These shows were complemented by returning favourites with year on year increases in viewer minutes – including Married At First Sight Australia (+33%) and Gogglebox (+14%).

The data – published as the channel pursues its Fast Forward strategy to become the first public service streamer – follows March’s record month – Channel 4’s biggest streaming month since BARB started recording in November 2021 – and underscores the channel’s digital-first approach.

Ian Katz, chief content officer, Channel 4, said: “We are delighted to see the continued growth in streaming of Channel 4 shows, fuelled by our unique blend of returning favourites and noisy new shows. As we continue to implement out Fast Forward strategy, viewers can look forward to more of the kind of shows we know they love to stream, from must watch drama and comedy to agenda-setting documentaries, eye-popping reality and some of the biggest hits from overseas.”

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market.

From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.