We analysed UK TV traits and surveyed 2,000 Brits on streaming, TV licences and viewing habits to foretell the way forward for TV.
Tv is a key staple of British tradition, however the best way Brits watch TV is altering quick. As audiences migrate to streaming platforms similar to Netflix and Amazon Prime, manufacturing spending of massive UK TV channels is exhibiting a decline. On high of this, the rise of brief kind media platforms similar to TikTok, which now boasts over two billion customers worldwide, has put conventional TV ready the place it should compete for the eye of viewers it as soon as simply commanded.
To seek out out extra about what the way forward for TV seems like within the UK, on-line slots web site Betway has carried out a two-part examine into our TV consumption and viewing habits.
First, we surveyed 2,000 Brits to see how individuals are watching their exhibits in 2025, with insights similar to attitudes to streaming prices, how lengthy it takes to determine which present to look at, and the platforms they select to view them on. Secondly, we’ve analysed historic viewing figures throughout a number of the most well-liked British TV exhibits, predicting how tv audiences could develop or shrink sooner or later – and for some, when they may die out fully.
TV vs Streaming Platforms
With greater than 27 million houses proudly owning a TV within the UK, it’s clear that tv nonetheless holds a central place in our day by day lives and residing rooms, however how we use these screens has shifted dramatically within the earlier decade.
Our survey discovered that one in 5 Brits (21%) solely use streaming platforms for leisure, whereas over two-fifths (42%) watch a mixture of each conventional TV (similar to cable or satellite tv for pc with scheduled programming) and streaming companies.
With the rise of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV, and Paramount+ in recent times, over half of Brits (57%) consider that conventional TV shall be fully lifeless by 2050. It’s a daring prediction, however one which displays rising confidence in digital and on-demand platforms taking the lead. With extra folks selecting what to look at, when to look at it, and on whichever display screen they like, the thought of tuning in at a set time is beginning to really feel like a factor of the previous.
Nonetheless, a major one-third of the inhabitants (33%) solely tunes in to conventional TV, suggesting that the normal methods aren’t dying out fairly but.
|
Age Group |
% of Brits who watch solely conventional TV |
% of Brits who use solely streaming companies |
|
25–34 |
29% |
31% |
|
35–44 |
32% |
29% |
|
45–54 |
34% |
23% |
|
55–64 |
27% |
15% |
|
65+ |
42% |
8% |
Whereas all age teams are utilising tv and streaming companies, our analysis exhibits that older generations are sticking to conventional means essentially the most, with 42% watching customary, conventional TV. In distinction, the one age group the place streaming dominates is 25 to 34 yr olds, with 31% saying they watch TV exhibits solely via streaming platforms.
The Price and High quality of TV As we speak
Whereas customary tv is free to look at after paying for a TV license, loads of us need entry to exhibits unique to sure streaming platforms, however these come at a price. For these wanting to look at exhibits similar to Squid Recreation or Arcane on Netflix, followers have to spend the usual £12.99 a month. For entry to The Boys or Invincible, viewers might want to fork out £8.99 per 30 days on Amazon Prime Video, and that’s nonetheless with adverts.
Whereas streaming companies enhance in value, 43% of us really feel that they aren’t definitely worth the cash. Since launching in 2012, the price of an ordinary Netflix subscription has risen by 83%, in the meantime Amazon Prime Video has seen a 94% value enhance over the previous decade. Regardless of rising frustration, individuals are nonetheless paying. Netflix alone boasts over 300 million paid subscribers worldwide, exhibiting that whereas dissatisfaction rises, most haven’t cancelled simply but.
As streaming companies develop, the normal TV mannequin and the licence payment that funds it’s clearly in decline. On the finish of 2024, there have been just below 24 million TV licence fee-payers within the UK, down over 400,000 from the yr earlier than.
In truth, our survey discovered that nearly two-thirds of Brits really feel that the TV licence isn’t price it anymore, with 56% admitting they don’t have any clue the place that cash truly goes. One main criticism specifically is that TV exhibits on conventional TV repeat codecs too usually, with 66% saying so.
|
Merchandise |
% of Brits who suppose it’s NOT price it |
% of Brits who suppose it IS price it |
|
The price of TV license |
64% |
19% |
|
The price of streaming platforms |
43% |
28% |
How lengthy do Brits spend watching TV
With a lot selection, deciding what to look at, each on a streaming service and on common TV, is a process in itself. On common, Brits are spending round 12 minutes determining what they wish to watch, with these utilizing streaming companies taking 13 minutes on common in comparison with just below 12 minutes for normal TV.
If you happen to’re settling down to look at a TV present 5 occasions per week, that’s simply over an hour of choice time wasted on discovering one thing to look at, or round 54 hours per yr – equal to 2 full days!
With regards to how lengthy we spend watching TV, the common Brit watches simply over 5 hours of conventional TV per week, and clocks in an additional 4 and a half hours on streaming companies. With a further two and a half hours for on-demand catch-up companies like BBC iPlayer, that’s simply over 12 hours of watch time, proving that Britain remains to be very a lot a nation of tv lovers. This equates to 637 hours per yr (or a whopping 26 and a half full days).
|
Sort of media |
Common time spent watching per week |
Common time spent watching per 30 days |
Common time spent watching per yr |
|
Reside broadcast TV |
5 hrs 15 minutes |
22 hrs 44 minutes |
273 hrs |
|
Streaming companies |
4 hrs 27 minutes |
19 hrs 16 minutes |
231 hrs 24 minutes |
|
On-demand catch-up companies |
2 hrs 33 minutes |
11 hrs 3 minutes |
132 hrs 26 minutes |
|
TOTAL |
12 hrs 15 minutes |
53 hrs 3 minutes |
637 hrs |
Males are watching extra tv than ladies, with a mixed complete watch time of 13 hours throughout conventional TV, streaming and catch-up companies, in comparison with just below 11 spent by ladies. With regards to generational variations, these aged 65 and over are clocking in a powerful 14 hours per week. In distinction, these aged 35 to 44 are watching tv the least, with just below 10 hours of watch time.
TV and streaming are nonetheless pulling large viewership numbers, particularly for dwell occasions, sports activities, or dramas, however the rise of creators, viral traits, and personalised feeds on social media can also be pulling our consideration in the direction of smaller screens. On common, we’re trying via our TikTok feeds for simply over an hour per week, with males scrolling via their feed for 1 / 4 of an hour greater than ladies. For many who want watching YouTube content material, Brits watch a mean of two hours price each week on the platform.
The Way forward for UK TV exhibits
We’ve checked out historic viewing figures of a few of Britain’s favorite TV exhibits to seek out out once they’re anticipated to finish. Wanting forward, the way forward for UK TV is shaping as much as be a story of two traits, with some long-time favourites on the decline and newer hits rising via the ranks.
The highest 10 TV exhibits anticipated to finish the soonest as a result of falling viewerships
|
TV Present |
Predicted Finish Yr |
|
Massive Brother |
2026 |
|
The Voice UK |
2030 |
|
The Masked Singer |
2031 |
|
Superstar Massive Brother |
2032 |
|
Eastenders |
2037 |
|
Emmerdale |
2039 |
|
Midsomer Murders |
2041 |
|
Name the Midwife |
2045 |
|
Britain’s Obtained Expertise |
2046 |
|
Physician Who |
2049 |
Three of the most well-liked British soaps are as a result of finish by 2072
Soaps like EastEnders, Coronation Road, and Emmerdale have all skilled notable drops in viewership over current years. For instance, EastEnders has seen one of many steepest declines, with a constant downward development that implies we’ll say a last goodbye to the collection in 2037.
Emmerdale is shut behind with traits pointing to an finish date of 2039 as a result of declining viewership, which was at just below 4 million final yr. Coronation Road could final a bit of longer, with figures indicating it may wrap up by 2072. Since 2020, Corrie has had a 38% lower in viewers, dropping from 6.88 million to 4.3 million. Though these exhibits have been as soon as the spine of British night tv, they now face the problem of retaining audiences engaged.
Strictly Come Dancing and British Bake Off are anticipated to see their audiences develop
That stated, not every part previous is fading. Strictly Come Dancing, Dragon’s Den, and Gogglebox are nonetheless holding robust, proving that acquainted codecs can proceed to thrive so long as they keep related and fascinating. Strictly Come Dancing, specifically, appears to be benefiting from its broad attraction by mixing beloved celebrities, partaking performances, and an inclusive environment that resonates with a number of generations, leading to a mean 8.2 million viewers all through 2024.
Reveals like Love Island, I’m a Superstar…Get Me Out of Right here!, and The Nice British Bake Off are additionally exhibiting robust upward momentum in viewership. Whether or not it’s the villa drama, jungle antics, or an ideal Victoria sponge, these collection proceed to ring a bell with audiences and are predicted to continue to grow in viewership.
Why are our favorite TV exhibits altering?
A possible purpose for this shift is altering viewer habits, with fewer folks tuning in at set occasions, particularly youthful demographics preferring on-demand content material. The storylines, whereas as soon as stunning, may additionally be beginning to really feel repetitive or out of contact in a world the place audiences anticipate a sooner tempo, extra various characters, and better manufacturing values. As leisure consumption shifts to streaming and binge-worthy codecs, the slow-burn nature of conventional soaps could not match how folks wish to watch.
The way forward for UK tv will possible belong to the platforms and programmes that may evolve, keep related, and join with audiences. Whether or not that’s a high-stakes actuality present or a wonderfully timed Bake Off finale, the race for our consideration is on.
Methodology
To seek out out the state of tv tradition within the UK, we performed a survey of two,035 UK residents over the age of 25.
Utilizing a seed listing of 19 standard British TV exhibits, we analysed historic annual viewership knowledge from the yr every present first aired. By making use of a prediction method to those traits, we have been in a position to forecast how their viewing figures are prone to evolve and estimate when sure exhibits could decline to the purpose of going off air completely.