Network Establishes Industry Record With Thirteen Consecutive Years of Audience Growth
Becomes Top 10 Fastest-Growing Entertainment Network of 2017 with Double-Digit Increases in Primetime
TCA – Pasadena, CA – January 12, 2018 – BBC AMERICA closed out 2017 with its most-watched year across every daypart, growing viewership +15% in Primetime and +12% in Total Day from prior year. In the network’s prime daypart, BBC AMERICA broke new ground as the only channel on television to grow its audience for 13 consecutive years. This record performance elevated BBCA to a top 10 fastest-growing entertainment network of 2017. The network is currently gearing up for a robust 2018 slate including the upcoming premiere of landmark series Planet Earth: Blue Planet II on January 20th, the network’s foray into fringe sports with Premiere League Darts in February, brand new original scripted series Killing Eve starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer on April 8th, as well as the return of hit series Top Gear and Doctor Who, among others.
Sarah Barnett, BBCA President, commented: “During an era of vigorous change in our industry, it’s especially gratifying to see record-setting and consistent viewer growth at BBC AMERICA. This speaks to the unique nature and true breadth of BBCA shows – everything from Doctor Who to Planet Earth, competitive Darts to Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show to Luther, Broadchurch and our final chapter of Orphan Black. BBCA is committed to continuing to super serve our passionate and growing fan base going forward, with what we believe is a killer 2018 line-up.”
2017 Ratings Highlights:
- BBC AMERICA achieved its most-watched year ever across all dayparts.
- With record viewership in the network’s prime daypart, BBC AMERICA becomes the only network on television to grow its audience for 13 consecutive years.
- In Primetime, BBC AMERICA posted double-digit year-over-year growth in both total viewers (+15%) and adults 25-54 (+10%), ranking among the Top 10 Fastest-Growing Entertainment Networks of 2017.
- In Total Day, BBCA also hit new highs in both total viewers and adults 25-54.
Today’s news comes off the heels of BBCA’s recent Doctor Who Christmas Special, which notched 2.2 million total viewers and 1.1 million adults 25-54 across its two Christmas telecasts in Nielsen live+7 ratings, propelling BBC AMERICA to its biggest night in over two years and a top 5 cable rank during the premiere telecast. The special, which also featured the first glimpse of Jodie Whittaker’s history-making debut as the Thirteenth Doctor and first female Time Lord, also drove huge fan engagement – it was the #1 most social program of the week and the most social program on Christmas Day for the fifth consecutive year, driving 75% more engagement compared to the 2016 Doctor Who Christmas special.
It was announced last year that Whittaker would take over as the new Doctor, succeeding Peter Capaldi to become the Thirteenth Time Lord. She will be joined by an all new cast including Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole. From new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, Doctor Who returns this fall on BBC AMERICA.
Source: Nielsen, L+SD, 2017, BBCA, P2+. Total Day = 6a-6a. Primetime = 8p-11p. Network Prime = 6p-12a. Top 10 Growth Rank vs Entertainment Networks (excl news/sports/kids/Hispanic), Primetime, P2+ & A25-54. Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time: Nielsen, L+7, 12/25/17, 9-10:26p. Nielsen Social, series rank (excl sports / live events).
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About BBC AMERICA
BBC AMERICA is a hub of innovative, culturally contagious programming including the Emmy® and IDA-winning Planet Earth II, top-rated science-fiction phenomenon Doctor Who, ground-breaking unscripted series Top Gear, buzzy and hilarious The Graham Norton Show as well as the upcoming series Killing Eve from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Planet Earth: Blue Planet II, the next chapter in the epic story of our planet, as well as Premiere League Darts. A joint venture between BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of the BBC) and AMC Networks, BBCA’s influential shows such as Orphan Black and Luther, among many others, have attracted critical acclaim and earned Emmy® Awards, Peabody Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes®. Created in 1998, the irrepressible network has garnered one of cable’s most curious, educated and affluent audiences, with many properties boasting super-fan levels of engagement. Available through cable, satellite TV and streaming services, BBC AMERICA broadcasts in both standard and high-definition. Get caught up, BBCA offers full episodes On Demand across all major digital platforms, BBC AMERICA app and bbcamerica.com. Find out more by visiting press.bbcamerica.com and follow @bbcamerica.