BBC Global Audience Measurement for 2024: 450 million weekly viewers reach worldwide
The BBC has once again proven its global dominance in the news industry with its latest Global Audience Measurement (GAM) for 2024. The report reveals that an impressive 450 million people on average tune in to BBC News, BBC World Service, and BBC Studios every week, showcasing the broadcaster’s unwavering popularity and trust among international audiences.
Despite facing stiff competition from other news providers, including state-funded entities, the BBC has managed to maintain its leading position for trust, reliability, and independence. The latest figures show a slight increase from the 447 million weekly average global reach recorded in 2023, demonstrating the BBC’s continued ability to attract and retain viewers worldwide.
One of the standout performers in the BBC’s international lineup is the BBC World Service, which saw audiences of 320 million in 2024, up from 318 million the previous year. The service’s coverage of major events like the Israel-Gaza conflict drew in viewers seeking trusted and accurate news, with notable increases seen in BBC News Arabic’s audience, reaching 35 million people weekly.
The BBC’s success story also extends to its World Service English, which grew its audience by 3 million listeners to reach 84 million people each week, including new audiences from Taiwan and the Philippines. These impressive results come at a time when traditional media consumption is on the decline and social media platforms are shifting away from prioritizing news content.
In addition, the relaunched BBC News channel has had a stellar first year, with 112 million people outside the UK tuning in to watch its programs throughout the week. Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO of BBC News, expressed pride in the BBC’s global reach and the exceptional journalism produced by its international teams, reinforcing the broadcaster’s commitment to providing fearless and fair reporting to audiences worldwide.
With BBC News Hindi leading the pack in terms of audience reach, followed by BBC News Arabic and BBC News Swahili, which saw a notable 16% increase in viewership, the BBC continues to set the standard for international news coverage. As Jonathan Munro prepares to take on the role of Global Director of BBC News, the future looks bright for the BBC’s commitment to serving global audiences with top-notch reporting and storytelling.