Weekly top 50 shows

Weekly top 50 shows

This dashboard displays the 50 most-watched programmes across all broadcast channels and SVOD services for the chosen week.

Barb’s method for reporting programme ratings has evolved as people increasingly watch their favourite shows at a time that suits them. We report how people watch all linear and streaming services, and how they watch on all devices.

Our data provide insight into the relative success of shows regardless of whether they are assessed on overnight audiences — for example live events — or on how programme ratings build over days and weeks.

For continuity, we publish ratings on our website that use a definition of viewing that takes place within seven days of the programme’s launch, either as part of a linear schedule or as part of an on-demand service. This doesn’t preclude other interpretations of a programme’s success — a number of broadcasters and streamers focus on ratings achieved by a programme in the first 28 days after its launch.

Viewing figures for programmes on broadcast channels are consolidated 7-day viewing figures with pre-broadcast viewing and viewing on tablets, PCs and smartphones included.

Viewing figures for programmes on SVOD services are calculated based on the average audience achieved during the first seven days of their availability – if launched during the week in question – or across the calendar week, and only include TV set viewing.

Viewing data for broadcast channels are available in this dashboard from 27 August 2018. View archive TV set viewing data prior to this date.

Viewing data for Barb-subscribing SVOD services are available in this dashboard from 29 November 2021. From 1 November 2022, viewing data for all SVOD services are included.

If you are looking for further multiple-screen viewing data, see the list of data-processing bureaux.

Please note that the definition of the viewing day changed in September 2018. Comparisons of figures run before, or after, this date are subject to marginal differences. Data users should also bear in mind when seeking to replicate historic viewing data that figures from contemporary analysis tools may not match exactly. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: changes to data included in logs by companies that submit broadcast logs, the advent of +1 channels, the inclusion of HD viewing with SD viewing to a channel, log amendments, data re-issues and the addition of viewing from PCs, tablets and smartphones (September 2018).