With viewers streaming more than 272 million programmes per month on iPlayer last year, the BBC’s streaming service has become a massively important way of watching our favourite programmes. To be honest, it’s pretty rare that I’ll actually watch something live on an old-school TV anymore – it’s down to the odd bit of news, sport or the occasional hilarious episode of First Dates.
And now the BBC has revealed the data behind its most watched shows on iPlayer in 2017. As you’d probably imagine, natural history programme Blue Planet II dominates the list along with high-quality, gripping dramas like Tom Hardy’s Taboo and Doctor Foster starring Suranne Jones.
1.'Blue Planet II' (One Ocean, Episode 1) – 4,768,000 views
2.'Taboo' (Episode 1) – 4,464,000 views
3.'Doctor Foster' (Series 2, Episode 1) – 3,677,000 views
4.'Three Girls' (Episode 1) – 3,588,000 views
5.'Blue Planet II' (The Deep, Episode 2) – 3,560,000 views
6.'Sherlock' (The Six Thatchers, Series 4, Episode 1) – 3,445,000 views
7.'Peaky Blinders' (The Noose, Series 4, Episode 1) – 3,358,000 views
8.'Line of Duty' (Series 4, Episode 1) – 3,114,000 views
9.'Apple Tree Yard' (Episode 1) – 3,112,000 views
10.'Three Girls' (Episode 2) – 3,098,000 views
All in all, the iPlayer clocked 3.3 billion view requests last year, up 11% on the previous 12 months.
Reacting to the list, Dan McGolpin, controller of programming and daytime for the BBC, said: “Viewers are using BBC iPlayer more and more and in 2017 we made that experience better than ever.
“They delved into landmark factual series such as Blue Planet II and were enthralled by a breath-taking range of drama, from Taboo to Doctor Foster. Over the festive period we provided unexpected treats, bringing back some well-loved boxsets for people to watch in their own time. BBC iPlayer now offers a broader range of relevant choices personalised for all and it will get better still over the coming year.”
And Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC iPlayer, says: “It’s been an extraordinary year for BBC iPlayer. Boxsets were extremely popular, audiences loved watching, and whether enjoying a new series, watching a currently airing programme or indulging in a classic archive show, viewers seem to love it.
“We also showed one of our most visually spectacular programmes, Blue Planet II, in the best quality ever seen on the BBC, as well as making BBC iPlayer much more personalised. In 2018, we’ll be looking to build on these successes and continue to make BBC iPlayer a must-visit destination in its own right.”
So, which of these shows is your favourite?
(Image: BBC)
