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. This report represents one way of producing the top 50; however, it is possible to use other methodologies that are equally valid.

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

The ratings in this dashboard are based on 7- or 28-day viewing of new content that was first broadcast or released during the reporting week, either as part of the linear schedule or via an SVOD service.

Broadcasters: viewing figures for programmes on broadcast channels are consolidated 7-day or 28-day viewing figures with pre-broadcast viewing (up to 35 days) and viewing on tablets, PCs and smartphones included. Earlier reports are available in the Archive Viewing Data tab.

SVOD Services: viewing figures for programmes on SVOD services are calculated based on the average audience achieved during the first 7- or 28-days of their availability – if launched during the week in question and only include TV set viewing (indicated by an * in the dashboard). Only viewing data for Barb-subscribing SVOD services are included in this dashboard.

An update was made on how the Top 50 programmes are reported, to take full advantage of Barb’s reporting capabilities. From January 2026, the ratings in this dashboard are based on As Viewed reporting. This includes viewing in both TV homes and non-TV homes. Previously, the data were based on As Broadcast reporting, which is schedule-driven and reports viewing to TV homes only. Additionally, repeats that aired within the reporting week and to the same broadcaster group have been aggregated since this date, whereas this was reported separately before.

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, change in the definition of the viewing day (September 2018) and the addition of viewing from PCs, tablets and smartphones (also September 2018).

Reports prior to January 2026 are available in the Archive viewing data section of the website.