by Thinus Ferreira
BBC Studios says it has achieved record-breaking performance for its linear channel business, with standout growth in Africa, alongside remarkable results across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
In Africa, BBC Studios' linear portfolio on MultiChoice's DStv - including the BBC Lifestyle, BBC Brit, BBC UKTV, BBC Earth, and BBC News TV channels - expanded its reach by +14% in 2024.
According to BBC Studios, this growth marks the highest-ever performance for CBeebies and BBC UKTV, while BBC Lifestyle achieved its best results since 2017.
Additionally, BBC Primetime, a bespoke two-hour content block on SABC3, has increased its reach by 24% compared to the same period last year.
According to BBC Studios, in the Netherlands, BBC First - BBC Studios' premium drama channel in the Netherlands - saw 2024 topping 2023 as its biggest year since launching in 2015. The channel has delivered a 2.3% 4+ market share to date in 2024, up +16% from last year.
In Poland, BBC Studios' channel portfolio of BBC Earth, BBC Brit, BBC First, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies is also on track to deliver its highest share in 2024 (0.82%, 4+) since the portfolio launched in 2015.
Here BBC Earth and BBC First delivered the highest annual share ever in 2024.
In the Nordics, BBC Nordic - BBC Studios' multi-genre linear channel available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland - has ranked as the biggest international channel in its competitive set in Norway in October and November.
In November, the channel delivered the highest share since launch (1.2%, 4+), and the channel has seen a +53% increase in share in 2024 compared to 2023, when it launched.
Arran Tindall, chief commercial officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, in a statement, says "2024 has been a record year for our channels business in EMEA".
"We have seen incredible numbers across our whole channel portfolio in the Netherlands, Poland, Africa and the Nordics, and I am extremely proud of the growth we have seen this year."
"This success is a testament to BBC Studios' extensive breadth of high-quality content and the careful curation by our teams to deliver engaging schedules that resonate with local tastes and audiences in each of our markets."
