UKTV CELEBRATES YEAR OF RECORD GROWTH IN 2021

UKTV enjoyed a year of record growth in 2021, achieving its best-ever SOCI (share of commercial impacts) and network share for its seven channel portfolio - Dave, Drama, Gold, Yesterday, W, Eden and Alibi - and growing views to its on demand service UKTV Play.

UKTV's seven channel network grew its viewing share by 4% in 2021 to 4.80% (up from 4.63% in 2020), marking UKTV's highest share to date for its current portfolio of channels.

Drama also celebrated its best year on record, with adult share up 11% and ABC1's up 14% year-on-year. Gold was up 7% on its 2020 share and enjoyed its biggest Q1 and summer since 2013. Alibi also saw a 5% uplift in share.

Dave delivered significant 16-34 share growth in 2021, outperforming the market. It increased its 16-34 viewing share by 14% year-on-year, helped by strong launches for a wave of new comedy entertainment shows which have seen Mel Giedroyc, Richard Ayoade and David Mitchell join Big Zuu and others on the channel.

UKTV Originals continued to be leading lights on the network, accounting for six of the top 10 shows in 2021 (based on 4+ 7 Day Dovetail, Max 000s). Annika headed the pack, becoming Alibi's top performing title of all time (1.32m Total Consumption). It was joined by Meet the Richardsons (Dave) Secrets of the London Underground (Yesterday), Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday), Bangers and Cash (Yesterday) and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable (Dave).

Richard Watsham, UKTV's Director of Commissioning, said: "I'm enormously grateful to our production partners and talent who've continued to raise the quality of our shows in all genres, despite the constraints of Covid. They've helped us take significant steps in creating a more diverse output, while also embracing our All Voices initiative to create opportunities behind the camera.."