Surge in NI television viewing during Covid-19 lockdown

The coronavirus lockdown led a surge in the number of hours the Northern Ireland public spent in front of the television, Ofcom has revealed.
By Mark Rainey
Published 5th Aug 2020, 06:00 BST
For the second consecutive year, Derry Girls was the most watched television programme in Northern Ireland. Ofcom graphicFor the second consecutive year, Derry Girls was the most watched television programme in Northern Ireland. Ofcom graphic
For the second consecutive year, Derry Girls was the most watched television programme in Northern Ireland. Ofcom graphic

Viewers spent almost five hours a day watching television and online video services as the pandemic restrictions intensified during April this year.

News bulletins were particularly popular as people repeatedly tuned in for the latest updates on the spread of Covid-19 and its impact around the world – with almost the entire Northern Ireland population watching news reports in the early weeks of the outbreak.

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As well as a significant increase in mainstream television viewing, there was also a rise of 78% in the time people were spending watching video-on-demand services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and other non-broadcast content.

“Lockdown led to a huge rise in viewing to TV, streaming and online video,” Ofcom NI director Jonathan Rose said.

“The public looked to broadcasters to keep them updated on news about the pandemic and entertained as the lockdown kicked in. Viewing figures for April especially underlined what a key role all broadcasters played during that time.”

Mr Rose added: “But traditional broadcasters face a tough advertising market, production challenges and financial uncertainty. So they need to keep demonstrating that value in the face of intense competition from streaming services.”

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The four hours and 53 minutes each day on average people were watching television, online video or gaming equates to 34 hours a week – an increase of almost one third (31%) on the same period last year.

For the second consecutive year, Derry Girls was the most watched programme in Northern Ireland.

Ofcom’s annual report also revealed that paid-for satellite and cable television services from Sky and Virgin Media are present in 44% of NI homes, and that at the beginning of 2020, some 62% of homes had some method of connecting their TV to the internet, through a smart TV or other device such as a streaming stick.

People in Northern Ireland, on average, continue to watch less broadcast TV than any other nations in the UK, however nine in ten NI adults tune into live radio for more than 19 hours a week on average.

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Related topics:OfcomCovid-19YouTubeDisney+Netflix