BBC and ITV fall as Freeview boosts multichannel homes

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 01-Aug-03, 08:50

LONDON – Freeview is being credited with boosting the number of people tuning into non-terrestrial TV stations and causing ITV1 and BBC One to lose audience share, according to the latest Television Trends report from the IPA.

During the second quarter of 2003, ITV1 saw its share dip to 23.6%, down from 24% in the last period, and 24.6% a year ago.

BBC One fell to 25.5% from 26.4% in the first quarter, and 27.2% a year ago.

Channel 4 was up on last quarter: its share rose to 9.8% from 9.2% in the first three months of 2003. However, it was down on the same period in 2002.

There was more good news for Five, which was the only terrestrial network to be up on last year's figure. It continues to benefit from improved programming, including top-rated US imports such as 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'.

The channel had a share of 6.5%, up from 6.4% last quarter, which was stable from the same period last year.

The share of digital and cable-only channels, including Sky One, Channel 4's E4, the BBC's four digital channels, and ITV2, rose to 23.9%, up from 22.8% last quarter, and 21.3% as the number of people using the BBC's digital terrestrial TV service Freeview hit 1.5m.

IPA research director Lynne Roberts, said: "The total level of recorded television viewing continues to grow, while the share in viewing for non-terrestrial channels is increasing, spurred on no doubt by the significant growth of Freeview."

ITV1 took the biggest share of the peaktime audience with 29.2% of all individuals, against BBC One's 26.9%. Channel 4 picked up 9.3% and Five took 6.4%. Digital and cable channels drew 18.3% of viewers in the second quarter.

However, BBC One had the largest share of ABC1s at peaktime, with a 28.9% share, compared with ITV1's 26.3%. Channel 4 had a share of 10.8%, Five had 5.4% and non-terrestrial drew 17.3%.

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