Netflix is a big fan of old shows. The data revealed that the biggest appeals to Netflix are those programs which were previously aired on television networks.










Older British TV shows are challenging Netflix’s expensive original series as the streaming giant’s most watched programmes.

The BBC’s 2020 drama The Salisbury Poisonings – about the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire – was one of the most-watched titles over Christmas for UK viewers, according to Netflix data. 

It was in fourth place in the week to December 26 – behind Netflix shows The Witcher and Emily In Paris. 

The BBC¿s 2020 drama The Salisbury Poisonings ¿ about the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire ¿ was one of the most-watched titles over Christmas for UK viewers, according to Netflix data

The BBC’s 2020 drama The Salisbury Poisonings – about the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire – was one of the most-watched titles over Christmas for UK viewers, according to Netflix data

Other figures show ITV’s long-running Downton Abbey has been a big Netflix hit this year. 

Declan Lawn, who co-wrote The Salisbury Poisonings, welcomed its ‘second life’ on Netflix.

Since November, the platform began to publish data on its most-watched TV programs and movies weekly. It also published historical data from June earlier in the year.

The top ten show list has shown that Downton Abbey’s first four seasons have been featured eight times in this listing since June.

The third series of Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge, which originally broadcast in 2019 also featured earlier this year, as did The Serpent, which previously aired on the BBC.

The Serpent was co-produced by Netflix and BBC. The list lasted for two weeks during the summer.

Other figures show ITV¿s long-running Downton Abbey has been a big Netflix hit this year

Other figures show ITV’s long-running Downton Abbey has been a big Netflix hit this year 

Many will be surprised at the lists given how many opportunities that viewers will have already have had to watch these UK programmes either on TV or on the broadcaster’s own online on-demand services.

This suggests that Netflix is now the main method for accessing television shows. It also means that many viewers are finding shows they have not had to watch in the past months and years.

Some Downton Abbey episodes are older than ten years. ITV aired it in peak time last year. BritBox offers access to the series via subscription.

You can watch the Serpent or Ackley Bridge without a subscription via BBC iPlayer, All4 and All4.

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