Netflix has become the top choice for TV viewers in the UK, edging just ahead of the BBC. In 2025, 26% of viewers said Netflix was their first pick, while the BBC followed closely with 25%. ITV came third with 15%.
This shift shows how streaming services are reshaping how people watch TV. Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video now reach about 70% of British homes. That’s a huge part of the population tuning into streaming platforms.
YouTube’s presence on TV sets has also grown sharply. The average daily viewing time on televisions doubled from nine minutes in 2022 to 19 minutes in 2025. Overall YouTube watching across all devices rose to 41 minutes per person each day.
Older viewers are also joining in. Among those aged 75 and over, YouTube’s weekly reach rose to 33% in 2025, up from 28% in 2022. This shows online video platforms are no longer just for the young.
Popular Shows and Big Moments
Netflix’s biggest hits in 2025 were the animated series K-Pop Demon Hunters and Adolescence. The animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters became Netflix’s most-watched movie ever on the platform. In Northern Ireland alone, it attracted around 616,000 viewers.
The BBC still draws large audiences for some programs. Its top show last year was Celebrity Traitors. The finale pulled in an average of 14.9 million viewers across BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
One of the biggest TV moments was England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on July 15. This event hit a peak audience of 24 million across BBC platforms.
Changing Viewing and Listening Habits in Northern Ireland
Radio remains strong in Northern Ireland. Almost nine in ten adults (88%) listen to some form of audio content weekly. Live radio reaches 87% of people, making it the most popular media sector there.
Radio Ulster is the top station for weekday mornings. Podcasts are also popular. The most listened to podcast was The Joe Rogan Experience, followed by comedian Shane Todd’s Tea with Me.
Younger adults in Northern Ireland are big YouTube fans. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of those aged 16-34 watch at least three minutes of YouTube each week. On average, people spend 40 minutes a day watching YouTube across all devices there.
Streaming habits vary too. Amazon Prime Video is the most popular streaming service in Northern Ireland, used in 63% of homes. The BBC’s Blue Lights was the second most-watched program in Northern Ireland, with over 500,000 viewers for the first episode of season three.
Telecoms and Market Competition
BT’s Openreach offers a deal paying up to £9.50 per new full-fibre customer for up to 30 months. This deal targets new customers switching to full-fibre broadband.
Ofcom has proposed to block this offer. The regulator says the deal is “not fair and reasonable” and could threaten market competition. This shows ongoing concerns about fairness in telecom markets.
Overall, the UK’s media landscape is clearly shifting. Streaming and online video are gaining ground, while traditional broadcasters still hold significant audiences. Radio remains a steady presence, especially in Northern Ireland. It’s a mix of old and new, changing how people consume media every day.
Based on
- Netflix edges past the BBC as UK viewers’ first choice — thenextweb.com
- Streaming giant overtakes BBC as UK viewers’ first choice for TV | The Independent — independent.co.uk
- Viewers now as likely to turn to Netflix as the BBC when deciding what to watch | The Independent — independent.co.uk
- KPop Demon Hunters and Blue Lights among shows enjoyed most — bbc.com
- BT’s Openreach new customer deal could be blocked over ‘not fair and reasonable’ concerns | The Independent — independent.co.uk
