BBC reveals record-breaking global audience figures of over half a billion
Across BBC News, the BBC World Service and content distributed by BBC Studios, the BBC saw its international audience grow to 502 million people weekly
The BBC has grown its global audience to reach over half a billion people every week for the first time since contemporary records began.
Across BBC News, the BBC World Service and content distributed by BBC Studios, the BBC saw its international audience grow to 502 million people – up 11% year-on-year.
BBC News increased its audience reach by nearly 50 million to 467 million (up 12% year-on-year). The BBC World Service delivered over 70% of the BBC’s international audience reach, attracting 355 million people weekly (up 14% year-on-year).
This growth was driven largely by the division’s digital transformation which, combined with a run of significant news stories, delivered exceptional audience figures. As such, the BBC World Service has seen its digital audience increase by over 40% during the same period.
The BBC remains the most trusted international news provider, globally, and ranks first for reliability and independence.
Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO, BBC News and Current Affairs, says: “I’d like to thank BBC teams across the world for delivering outstanding journalism just when the world needs it most. We have seen growth from all corners of the globe as people come to our journalism in record-breaking numbers for the breadth and depth of BBC reporting. We have consistently delivered distinctive and impartial coverage and, importantly, retained our position as the most trusted news provider in the UK and around the world.”
As the war in Ukraine continues, BBC News Ukrainian has seen its reach more than triple. The service reaches more than one in five adults throughout Ukraine on average, the result of huge growth across its social accounts. While the US-Israel war with Iran and protests in Iran have seen audiences continue to rely on BBC News Persian with the service reaching nearly 25 million people. BBC News Persian is the largest Persian-language media outlet outside Iran.
BBC News Brasil and BBC News Mundo both grew their audiences substantially – up 58% and 40% respectively – with the increases mainly attributed to TikTok and Instagram.
Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “The digital transformation of our global services means millions more people now benefit from the insightful, impactful journalism that our courageous and innovative teams continue to deliver.”
Reflecting changing audience habits, the BBC World Service has increased its focus on sites and social accounts. Last year, this included launching BBC News Polska for Polish-speakers, the first new language service in seven years, and creating new TikTok accounts across our language services.
The BBC’s news output in English across World Service English, BBC.com and the BBC News channel grew its audience to 208 million people weekly (up 5% year-on-year).
Demonstrating its reach amongst audiences in times of crisis and need, 76% of BBC World Service reach lies in countries with low levels of press freedom.
BBC News’ biggest international market is India where audiences grew to 74 million on average each week, followed by the United States, Nigeria, Iran, and Tanzania.
The BBC posted a post-tax deficit of £121 million ($161.88 million), up from £112 million ($149.84 million) the prior year – its third consecutive annual deficit. At the operating level, a measure the corporation says better reflects underlying performance, the deficit narrowed to £84 million ($112.38 million).
The corporation reaches 94% of U.K. adults on average each month, yet fewer than 80% of households pay the £174.50 ($233.46) annual license fee, a gap BBC chair Samir Shah said the current funding model cannot close. Licenses in force fell to 23.3 million, a decline of 539,000
That’ll go down well… 
Yeah. I think she realises it was 
but she was probably pushed since eveyone thought it.
Fault leaves over a minute of dead air on BBC One and BBC News channel
BBC One had been simulcasting the BBC News channel for some time when screens suddenly went blank at 2am.
A 2026 answer to the classic question, “What has the BBC ever done for me?” It’s set to premiere during the FIFA World Cup final, according to The TV Room.
And here’s the 1986 answer:
A new take on the 80s video with John Cleese.
I’m assuming this aired during the World Cup Final?
However, it amounts to a partial success in the BBC’s attempt to force Trump to provide evidence for his claim of financial loss due to the Panorama edit.
Bright told colleagues that blocking iPlayer does not currently make sense because it could cause unwelcome friction for viewers who do pay the licence fee, but she said the BBC will keep the idea under review as streaming technology improves.
More than half a million people opted out of the licence fee in the BBC’s most recent financial year, contributing to a funding crisis for the British broadcaster.
Some 94% of the UK population use the BBC every month, but fewer than 80% pay the £180 annual licence fee. The BBC is attempting to bridge this gap and can no longer dip into its cash reserves to fund operations.