Channel 4 says its streaming platform is the fastest-growing among adults in the U.K., with more than half of its viewers aged 16-34 choosing streaming over linear last year.
The 16 to 34 demo streamed 53% of their overall Channel 4 viewing across 2025, up from 42% last year. This is the first time a major commercial broadcaster has seen young viewers stream more than they watch via linear across the whole year, C4 said.
Among all viewers, streaming viewing minutes rose by 15%. Per Barb data cited by Channel 4, 72 billion minutes were consumed on Channel 4 streaming, a 16% rise, with 16 to 34-year-olds accounting for 23%. ABC1s accounted for 57% of adult viewer minutes, ahead of Sky, ITV, 5, and UKTV. Top performers included Patience, In Flight, Finding Father Christmas, 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story, Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text, The Disappearance of Jay Slater, Manhunt, Virgin Island, Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence and Brian & Maggie.
Of the top ten most watched non-sport shows on commercial TV among 16 to 34s, five were on C4, led by The Great British Bake Off, followed by Virgin Island.
The broadcaster’s YouTube strategy is also delivering results: full episodes views totalled 175 million, an all-time high and up 56% year on year. The top show was 24 Hours in Police Custody.
Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, said: “Powered by a combination of new hits and old favourites, Channel 4 achieved viewing growth across the board last year as we continue our transformation into a public service streamer. Virgin Island became our biggest unscripted launch for share of 16-34s since modern records began. Averaging over 4 million viewers, Patience was our biggest drama since It’s a Sin, and Mitchell and Webb was our most successful comedy launch since Derry Girls. Last year’s brilliant results— smashing our own records and leading the pack among commercial broadcasters—attest to the quality, freshness, and originality of the Channel 4 slate.”
