Channel 4 has trebled the number of full episode views by UK audiences in 2024. The broadcaster is placing episodes of Untold, Hollyoaks, Murder Case: In The Footsteps Of Killers and Football Cops on the platform as it looks to reach ‘digital natives’ on new platforms. So far this year, social output from Channel 4 has amassed 1.8 billion UK views, a growth of 309% year on year. Channel 4 documentaries have been a key to growth, including 24 Hours in Police Custody drawing in record YouTube audiences. Channel 4’s current affairs strand Untold, which delivers digital-first investigations to viewers between the ages of 16 and 34, has also proved a hit with the likes of The Secret World of Boy Racers: bringing in 0.3 million UK views. Last year Channel 4 show adopted a digital-first schedule for Hollyoaks with episodes airing on YouTube at the same time as streaming and linear – and across 2024 there have been 3.5 million global views to Hollyoaks full episodes on YouTube. Views of all types of Channel 4 content on YouTube are up 43% year on year, with Channel 4 entertainment programming, plus US acquisitions such as Malcom in the Middle thriving.
Elsewhere across social, Channel 4’s coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games generated 41 million views across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. More than 2.4 million livestreams and 2.1 million non-live streams were recorded on Channel 4’s YouTube streaming platform. Matt Risley, Managing Director, 4Studio, said: “Channel 4’s UK views across all social platforms and content have amassed a huge 1.8 billion this year, putting us firmly on track to double our social viewing by 2030. Our latest audience growth underlines how Channel 4 and 4Studio are leading the way in embracing social audiences at scale.”
Across all Channel 4 social platforms TikTok is the fastest growing this year, with UK views up 86% year on year to 480 million. Views were boosted by a partnership between Channel 4’s digital content and social powerhouse 4Studio and TikTok to create a Paralympic Games digital experience on TikTok, releasing multiple pieces of TikTok content every day during the Games. On Instagram, UK views jumped by 39% to 349 million. Top performing Instagram content includes channels for Hollyoaks, Made In Chelsea and Celebs Go Dating.