TV since 1981

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 340 reported channels
2020s
2023 2022 2021 2020
2010s
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
2000s
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
1990s
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
1980s
1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

2017

January
11.33 million watch the New Year’s Day episode of Sherlock. It is also the most watched 0-7 days timeshifted programme of the year with 5.60 million watching in that time period after broadcast.
Barb welcomes UKTV on board.
February
Barb awards Dovetail Fusion contract to Kantar Media.
March
Channel 5 celebrates its 20th anniversary.
April
10.18 million watch the first episode of Britain’s Got Talent.
May
7.50 million watch the FA Cup Final on BBC1.
The first episode of Three Girls on BBC1 is the most popular on-demand programme on devices, according to the TV Player Report 2017.
June
The United Kingdom holds a general election.
11.63 viewers watch the One Love Manchester concert on BBC1.
July
2.86 million watch the finale of Love Island on ITV2. It is also the year’s most popular live-streamed programme on devices, according to Barb’s TV Player Report 2017.
2.77 million watch the premiere of the seventh series of Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic.
August
8.72 million viewers watch The Great British Bake-Off premiere on Channel 4.
September
10.29 million watch the Strictly Come Dancing launch show on BBC1.
October
14.01 million watched the first episode of Blue Planet II on BBC1, making it the most-watched programme of the year.
Gunpowder is the most watched 8-28 days timeshifted programme of the year with 1.69 watching in that time period after broadcast.
November
Barb at Bafta takes place, an event focussing on the need for a trusted and accountable audience currency.
December
10.36 million watch the final episode of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV.
Call the Midwife is the most-watched Christmas Day programme.