For the first time in its long history, more people in the United Kingdom watched YouTube last year than they watched the BBC, according to new audience measurement data. The figures reveal a significant shift in how British viewers consume video content, with the Google‑owned platform edging past the country’s iconic public broadcaster.
Independent ratings body Barb reported that YouTube reached 51.9 million viewers across all devices, narrowly beating the BBC’s total of 50.9 million. YouTube also outpaced the BBC in October and November, marking a clear trend rather than a one‑off anomaly. The milestone underscores the growing influence of online video platforms and the challenges facing traditional broadcasters.
YouTube has been a dominant force in the media world for more than two decades, attracting audiences with a vast mix of content ranging from short clips to long‑form series and high‑production offerings. Creators like MrBeast and British personality Amelia Dimoldenberg, whose “Chicken Shop Date” series regularly draws millions of viewers, have helped propel the platform’s appeal to a broad range of age groups.
The shift toward YouTube comes at a sensitive time for the BBC, which has long been the centerpiece of Britain’s media landscape. The broadcaster is entering discussions with the government over the future of the TV licence fee, a major source of its funding. Last year, the BBC lost more than £1 billion as viewers cancelled or avoided paying the licence, and fees are set to rise again in the spring.
Officials in the UK government have acknowledged the need for change. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that alternatives to the licence fee, including advertising or subscription models, may have to be considered as viewing habits evolve.
The BBC pushed back against the Barb figures, arguing that the measurement method — which counts anyone who watches a service for at least three consecutive minutes — gives too much weight to short‑form consumption and does not reflect engagement with longer programmes. The broadcaster uses a 15‑minute threshold to better capture viewing of traditional television content. By that measure, the BBC reported an average monthly reach of 47 million compared with 40.8 million for YouTube, and said UK audiences watched hundreds of millions of hours of its content each week.
Nevertheless, the available data highlight how YouTube is reshaping the media environment, particularly among younger viewers who increasingly turn to online platforms and away from scheduled broadcast TV. UK media regulator Ofcom has warned that the BBC and other public service channels must create more content for digital platforms if they hope to remain relevant to the next generation of viewers.
