The BBC is facing a ‘demographic time bomb’ as research revealed only one in 20 young adults watch it’s programmes live daily.
More than a third under-30s never watched any BBC programming live, compared to just eight per cent of the oldest age group asked, research, obtained by the Sunday Times found.
Despite young people preferring the broadcaster’s online services, the research also found the BBC’s on-demand iPlayer appeals more to an older audience.
It comes after Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries hit the Corporation with a two-year licence fee freeze earlier this month – after which it will rise in line with inflation for the following four years.
Research has shown that only 20% of young people watch BBC programmes daily. This is a “demographic time bomb” for the BBC. Photo: The BBC headquarters in London
Julian Knight is chairman of Commons digital media culture and sport committee. He told the publication, “The BBC should wake up to this demographic bomb.”
He pointed out, at 50 years old that although the Corporation broadcasts ‘excellent children’s programming’ they have a ‘drift off’ audience when it comes teenagers and young adults in their 20s.
Among the young people asked, 24 per cent believed that the BBC should still be funded through the licence fee, with 17 per cent opting for a subscription model.
The service is used by only 25% of those under 30 years old, and 35% feel that advertising could help fund it.
BBC Three launched hits shows like Fleabag (pictured) and it will launch a relaunch on February 1st. It will also be available via Freeview, Sky and Virgin.
It comes after the return of BBC Three’s as a broadcast TV channel was confirmed by Ofcom in November last year.
The broadcasting watchdog approved the move to take the online-only channel, currently available on the iPlayer, back to linear services in early February.
The corporation pulled BBC Three from air in 2016 because of its belief that young viewers were abandoning traditional television viewing. Despite the fact that BBC Three was the home to hits like Gavin and Stacey and Fleabag, Killing Eve and Fleabag, it had been taken off-air by BBC Three.
That sparked a protest outside Broadcasting House and more than 300,000 people signed a petition to save the channel.
Then as the pandemic hit in March last year and BBC Three spawned another hit with Normal People, the corporation said there was still a ‘significant group of younger viewers who maintain a strong linear TV habit’ and announced plans to bring it back as a TV channel, subject to Ofcom’s approval.
However, as the pandemic hit in March last year and BBC Three spawned another hit with Normal People (pictured), the corporation said there was still a ‘significant group of younger viewers who maintain a strong linear TV habit’ and announced plans to bring it back as a TV channel
The decision by Ofcom to bring the channel back, which coincided with the publication of the regulator’s annual report on the BBC’s performance, said the relaunch would help the BBC reach younger viewers, particularly those from lower-income homes and those living outside London and the South East.
The BBC must broadcast original programs at 75% or less of the time to make the channel distinctive.
BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that Ofcom have now confirmed that BBC Three will be returning to TV screens next year.
“This is an important moment with the new channel offering a destination to young audiences to find more content on BBC.
“We will collaborate with iPlayer in order to offer a wide range of content that represents the UK, and we will continue supporting new talents and innovative ideas.
“This unique approach will provide the audience with a distinct mix of programs that are there for the audience to entertain, inspire, and challenge thinking at an exciting and pivotal time in UK youth life.”