BBC Set To Reach 500 Million Viewers Globally In 2022

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 25: People walk past Broadcasting House, the headquarters of the BBC, on … [+] March 25, 2014 in London, England. MPs have today voted in favour of an amendment to the Deregulation Bill which, if passed, will require the Government to conduct a review of punishments for non-payment of a TV licence fee, potentially leading to its decriminalisation. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

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The BBC achieved an average weekly audience rating of 489 million through 2020-2021 and is currently on track to reach – and most likely surpass – its 2022 target of 500 million, coinciding with the corporation’s 100th anniversary year.

According to the Global Audience Measure that was published this week, the figures for this year mark the highest global audience the U.K.’s main public service broadcaster has ever achieved.

The numbers are up by 20 million people from the previous period of 2019-2020. The BBC’s international news services (BBC.com, World Service English, World News TV, World Service languages, and BBC Media Action) also achieved record highs with 456 million adults tuning in each week, a 4% (18 million) increase.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said on the update: “I am delighted that the BBC now informs, educates and entertains more people around the world than ever before.”

“Our global reach continues to grow and we are well on target to hit half a billion people by our centenary next year. The fact that our audience has more than doubled in the last decade shows how trusted and increasingly valued BBC services are right around the world.”

“It also highlights the important role we play for Britain on the global stage in carrying the UK’s voice, democratic values and influence.”

The news service

BBC News’ role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in particular was seen as a key driver for the increase in audience numbers, as audiences turned to the network because of its historical reputation as a trusted news source.

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India, the U.S. and Nigeria are the top three countries that consume BBC News with 65 million, 48 million, and 24 million respectively.

A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programmer Busayo Iruemiode checks a website in Pidgin in … [+] Lagos, on August 18, 2017. On August 21, 2017 the British media giant will launch an online portal that will be entirely in Pidgin and feature text news, features and podcasts. Pidgin takes inspiration from Portuguese, the first European language to reach Nigeria’s shores, English, the enduring colonial-era language, as well as Jamaican patois imported by former slaves returning to the continent. The language has shifted and evolved uninterrupted since its inception. / AFP PHOTO / Pius Utomi EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)

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Liliane Landor, Senior Controller of BBC News International Services and Director of BBC World Service, added on the growth: “Global audiences for BBC News have reached record levels and our reputation for providing trusted, impartial news and information is world class.”

“We have seen how vital our output has been to audiences in moments of jeopardy, from the Covid-19 pandemic to elections and conflicts.”

“The BBC has strengthened its position in markets of need such as Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where access to trusted impartial news is paramount.”

“We will continue to provide strong first-class journalism across our platforms.”