In 2020, TV subscription revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) amounted to around 6.22 billion British pounds. Even online channels presenting a jump in revenue between 2012 and 2020, subscriptions remained the largest source of television industry revenue in the UK by a significant margin.
TV revenue breakdown and market leaders
Television industry revenues in the United Kingdom amounted to roughly 16.27 billion British pounds in 2020, down from 16.5 billion the year prior. This decrease in revenue was primarily fueled by commercial multichannels as well as the publicly funded sector. During the past five years, online television has experienced a massive boost in popularity and profitability, becoming the only sector not to see a revenue decline in 2020. In 2019, Sky was the highest-earning television group in the UK based on operating revenue, while BBC 1 remained the most popular TV channel in the UK based on audience reach.
TV advertising trends in the UK
The United Kingdom was the European country with the highest TV advertising expenditure in 2019. After peaking at 4.32 billion British pounds in 2015, however, the UK’s TV net advertising revenue has declined for five consecutive years, a downward trend primarily influenced by the changes in TV viewing behavior. Following the rise of video-on-demand (VOD), the average daily TV consumption time in the UK has gradually decreased over the past decade, causing advertisers to reallocate budgets from traditional media formats to digital channels.
Television industry revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2020, by source
(in billion GBP)
Figures are expressed in nominal terms and replace previous Ofcom revenue data for TV industry owing to restatements and improvements in methodologies. * ‘Subscription revenue’ includes Ofcom’s estimates of Sky UK, Virgin Media, BT TV, andTalkTalkTV,as well as, in 2013, Top Up TV in the UK (Republic of Ireland revenue is excluded). It also excludes revenue generated by broadband and telephony. ** ‘Other’ includes TV shopping, sponsorship, interactive (including premium-rate telephony services), and programme sales. The BBC re-stated its licence fee revenue in 2008. *** Prior to 2012 public funding was referred to as BBC income allocated to TV. Totals may not equal the sum of the components due to rounding. Data previous to 2013 published earlier by the source.
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Ofcom. (July 22, 2021). Television industry revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2020, by source (in billion GBP) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/236899/tv-industry-revenue-in-the-uk-by-source/
Ofcom. "Television industry revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2020, by source (in billion GBP)." Chart. July 22, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 22, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/236899/tv-industry-revenue-in-the-uk-by-source/
Ofcom. (2021). Television industry revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2020, by source (in billion GBP). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 22, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/236899/tv-industry-revenue-in-the-uk-by-source/
Ofcom. "Television Industry Revenue in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2004 to 2020, by Source (in Billion Gbp)." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Jul 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/236899/tv-industry-revenue-in-the-uk-by-source/
Ofcom, Television industry revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2020, by source (in billion GBP) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/236899/tv-industry-revenue-in-the-uk-by-source/ (last visited May 22, 2022)
