End-of-year BARB TV ratings figures for 2023 have shown that Channel 5 has secured five consecutive years of growth, outperforming C4 across a third of the year.

The Channel 5 collection includes 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and 5ACTION – the +5% growth for its linear channels makes it the only public broadcaster (PSB) portfolio to increase its total share of the UK viewing audience (BBC -4%, ITV -2%, C4 -2%).

Channel 5’s main channel was also the only commercial PSB to increase its audience share in peak time (7-11pm) in 2023 compared to 2022 (+1% year on year versus ITV -5%, C4 -3%, BBC1 -2%, BBC2 +1%).

In addition, Channel 5’s on-demand platform My5 pulled in record hours of viewing and watch time per user across 2023, marking four years of consecutive growth.

C5’s achievement was boosted by a number of commissions including new and returning dramas, including the successful All Creatures Great and Small, that drew the channel’s biggest audience of the year, averaging 3.7 million viewers and a 19% share. Other significant ratings-pullers included Captain Tom, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly and Police: Suspect No.1.

Ben Frow, chief content officer, UK, Paramount said: “I’m so proud that Channel 5 has continued to lead the pack for audience share growth for a fifth successive year and, yet again, we have closed the gap on our nearest competitor. It’s testament to the hard work of all of the Channel 5 team with their deep understanding of what our audiences love to watch – and all the fantastic producers and creative talent we work with.”

*Channel 5 achieved a greater all-day audience share than Channel 4 on 137 days in 2023 vs 103 in 2022, based on live viewing and on 116 days in 2023 vs 81 in 2022, based on consolidated viewing.

Year-on-year comparisons are based on consolidated data.

Image via C5.