NETFLEXIT

Demand for free TV growing | Paid-for services in decline

- NICOLA METHVEN

TV viewers trying to save money E during the cost of living crisis are opting for free British on-demand services over paid-for US I streaming giants.

Homegrown channels such as BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 and ITVX grew faster than the global streamers during 2024, according to official TV industry source Barb.

Prices for the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV and Discovery+ vary according to deals. But to get them all may typically cost £40 a month.

Last year, the free service's audience share of viewer minutes grew 12%, while streamers declined 4%, said Barb. For those aged 16-34, there was an 8% rise in viewing of UK channels and 2% fall for streamers.