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UK Prime-Time TV Ratings Plummet Below 1 Million

10/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In October 2025, no prime-time British TV show attracted more than 1 million viewers.
ITV's documentary on Madeleine McCann drew under 900,000 viewers.
Industry insiders say the trend reflects a shift toward catch-up viewing and streaming services like Netflix, which fragment audiences.
Digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok challenge traditional broadcasting, but it remains vital for creating national conversations.

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Story summary

In October 2025, no prime-time British TV show attracted more than 1 million viewers.
ITV's documentary on Madeleine McCann drew under 900,000 viewers.
Industry insiders say the trend reflects a shift toward catch-up viewing and streaming services like Netflix, which fragment audiences.
Digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok challenge traditional broadcasting, but it remains vital for creating national conversations.