TV since 1981

2016

January
11.64 million watch the New Year’s Day episode of Sherlock.
Barb launches new-look website.
February
BBC Three becomes solely available online.
The Night Manager is the most watched 8-28 days timeshifted programme of the year with 1.81 million watching in that time period after broadcast.
March
Barb launches its first UK Television Landscape Report.
April
11.93 million watch Britain’s Got Talent and gains the year’s highest audience among 4-15 year olds.
May
6.7 million watch the FA Cup Final on BBC and BT Sport.
June
Euro 2016: England v Wales is the most popular live programme on devices according to Barb’s TV Player Report.
The United Kingdom votes in referendum to leave the European Union.
July
12.27 million watch Euro 2016 final: Portugal v France
August
The 2016 Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro and broadcasts are reached by 50.2 million viewers in the UK.
The Great British Bake Off is the most 0-7 days timeshifted programme with 6.25 million watching in this time period.
September
The Paralympics 2016 take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
October
The Great British Bake Off final is watched by 15.9 million, making it the most watched programme of the year.
November
The second series of Planet Earth launches:
- The first episode, Islands, is the most popular on-demand programme on devices according to Barb’s TV Player Report 2016.
- The second episode, Mountains, is watched on TV by 13.14 million making it the 3rd most watched programme of the year.
Donald Trump wins the US presidential election.
December
13.30 million watch Strictly Come Dancing: The Final.
Call the Midwife is the most watched Christmas Day programme.