The BBC in England
Audience performance
The BBC is the most used brand for media in England – used by 81% of adults in England on average per week in 2025/26, slightly down year-on-year.
In video and audio, performance was down year-on-year in 2025/26, though the BBC was the leader in England in both markets. Usage of BBC Online overall especially, as well as iPlayer and Sounds, was up year-on-year – all at record highs.
On average, 43% of adults in England consumed BBC Local content per week across BBC TV/iPlayer, BBC Radio and BBC Online.
Purpose 4. To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and support the creative economy
England adults 16+
Experience: Usage of the BBC amongst adults in England
| Year | England | North of England | Midlands | South of England | London | Source | |
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Pan-BBC reach |
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% who use BBC TV/iPlayer, Radio or Online on average per week | 2025/26 | 81% | 83% | 81% | 86% | 73% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
% who use BBC TV/iPlayer, Radio or Online on average per week | 2024/25 | 83% | 85% | 83% | 88% | 76% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
BBC TV/iPlayer |
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% who watch BBC TV/iPlayer on average per week | 2025/26 | 60% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 54% | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
% who watch BBC TV/iPlayer on average per week | 2024/25 | 63% | 65% | 65% | 67% | 57% | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time spent with BBC TV/iPlayer per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2025/26 | 05:59 | 06:05 | 06:23 | 06:32 | 04:53 | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time spent with BBC TV/iPlayer per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2024/25 | 06:28 | 06:36 | 06:38 | 07:15 | 05:19 | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
BBC Radio |
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% who listen to BBC Radio on average per week | 2025/26 | 53% | 52% | 56% | 61% | 46% | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
% who listen to BBC Radio on average per week | 2024/25 | 55% | 53% | 58% | 64% | 47% | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time spent with BBC Radio per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2025/26 | 07:27 | 06:58 | 07:54 | 09:23 | 05:43 | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time spent with BBC Radio per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2024/25 | 07:53 | 07:19 | 08:17 | 09:59 | 06:08 | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
BBC Online |
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% who use BBC Online on average per week | 2025/26 | 63% | 61% | 62% | 65% | 65% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
% who use BBC Online on average per week | 2024/25 | 61% | 59% | 59% | 63% | 66% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
BBC iPlayer |
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Average weekly active accounts in England using BBC iPlayer | 2025/26 | 12.3m | 3.5m | 3.0m | 3.1m | 2.7m | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
Average weekly active accounts in England using BBC iPlayer | 2024/25 | 12.1m | 3.5m | 3.0m | 3.0m | 2.7m | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
BBC Sounds |
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Average weekly active accounts in England using BBC Sounds | 2025/26 | 3.94m | 966k | 1.16m | 1.22m | 590k | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
Average weekly active accounts in England using BBC Sounds | 2024/25 | 3.90m | 949k~ | 1.14m~ | 1.21m~ | 596k~ | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
BBC Local content across BBC TV, Radio and Online |
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% of adults in England consuming BBC Local content on average per week | 2025/26 | 43% | 44% | 44% | 47% | 36% | BARB, RAJAR, Piano Analytics, Compass by Ipsos UK |
% of adults in England consuming BBC Local content on average per week | 2024/25 | 45% | 45% | 46% | 50% | 39% | BARB, RAJAR, Piano Analytics, Compass by Ipsos UK |
~ Owing to a change in postcode grouping definitions, 2024/25 Sounds account figures for the North, Midlands, South and London have been restated.
Perception
| England 16+ | North of England 16+ | Midlands 16+ | South of England 16+ | London 16+ | ||
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% who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2025/26 Effective | 65% | 62% | 64% | 69% | 65% |
% who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2025/26 Ineffective | 15% | 19% | 15% | 13% | 11% |
% who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2024/25 Effective | 69% | 71% | 64% | 73% | 69% |
% who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2024/25 Ineffective | 12% | 14% | 13% | 10% | 11% |
% who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2025/26 Effective | 50% | 49% | 49% | 52% | 52% |
% who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2025/26 Ineffective | 22% | 27% | 21% | 18% | 19% |
% who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2024/25 Effective | 54% | 57% | 51% | 54% | 55% |
% who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2024/25 Ineffective | 21% | 22% | 21% | 19% | 21% |
% who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2025/26 Effective | 64% | 62% | 63% | 67% | 63% |
% who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2025/26 Ineffective | 13% | 17% | 13% | 11% | 10% |
% who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2024/25 Effective | 67% | 68% | 62% | 73% | 65% |
% who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2024/25 Ineffective | 12% | 14% | 14% | 10% | 11% |
Source: Ipsos UK. 16+
England-only services
Dedicated services for England
BBC Local Radio is a primarily speech-based service of news, information and debate, with a strong emphasis on interactivity.
- 10% - England population who use the service on average per week (2024/25: 10%)
Source: RAJAR (Radio reach and time per listener; data based on total survey area – TSA)
Reach definition: 15+ minutes and audiences aged 15+RAJAR (Radio reach and time per listener; data based on total survey area – TSA)
| BBC Local TV content | Year | England | North of England | Midlands | South of England | London |
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% in England who view BBC Local TV content on average per week | 2025/26 | 23% (4+) / 26% (16+) | 23% (4+) / 27% (16+) | 24% (4+) / 27% (16+) | 25% (4+) / 28% (16+) | 18% (4+) / 21% (16+) |
% in England who view BBC Local TV content on average per week | 2024/25 | 25% (4+) / 29% (16+) | 26% (4+) / 30% (16+) | 26% (4+) / 29% (16+) | 28% (4+) / 32% (16+) | 21% (4+) / 23% (16+) |
Source: BARB As Viewed (all devices). Reach based on 3+ mins
England finances
Estimated income from each nation
These numbers are estimated as figures for each nation have been calculated by applying the proportion of licensed premises to the total number of licences in force. The exact number of licences in force varies on a daily basis. The number of licensed premises are different to the number of licences in force as, in some cases, a premises may need more than one licence. Figures exclude concessionary licences for those living in residential care.
| Estimated income | 2025/26 £m | 2024/25 £m |
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UK | 3,879 | 3,843 |
England | 3,256 | 3,225 |
The fee for a standard household TV licence is £174.50. The licence fee income received contributes towards programmes made across the whole of the UK and the world. These programmes are consumed in each nation in addition to the nation’s local services outlined below.
Expenditure by service
Direct and indirect spend relating to programmes produced in the nation*.
| 2025/26 £m | 2024/25 £m | |
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Network content |
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Watch (under Ofcom regional production criteria) | 1,355 | 1,457 |
Listen | 329 | 314 |
Browse | 83 | 82 |
Total network spend ^ | 1,767 | 1,853 |
England content |
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Watch | 85 | 87 |
Listen | 96 | 96 |
Browse | 37 | 39 |
Total England spend | 218 | 222 |
National Orchestra | 22 | 21 |
Development | 175 | 153 |
Distribution | 120 | 110 |
Total before amortisation adjustment | 2,302 | 2,359 |
Adjustment for transmission amortisation | (40) | (55) |
Total | 2,262 | 2,304 |
* From 2025/26, the presentation of Nations expenditure has been updated to better reflect audience consumption with 2024/25 comparatives restated.
^ From 1 April 2024, the cost of children’s programmes is recognised over the estimated average contract period to better reflect children’s consumption patterns. Network spend presented shows spend prior to this adjustment. See note E for further details.
Local opt-out hours^ (including repeats) on BBC One
| 2025/26 Hours | 2024/25 Hours | |
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Daily, Weekly News and Current Affairs | 3,819 | 3,697 |
Education, Factual and Religion | 2 | 4 |
Total | 3,821 | 3,701 |
^Television content commissioned specifically for audiences in the nation
BBC Local Radio
| 2025/26 Hours | 2024/25 Hours | |
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General | 211,382 | 208,832 |
Headcount
Average headcount of individuals based in England across all services including support functions
| 2025/26 Number | 2024/25 Number | |
|---|---|---|
Average number of persons employed in the year | 12,598 | 12,812 |
