The BBC in Northern Ireland
Audience performance
The BBC is the most used brand for media in Northern Ireland – used by 84% of adults in Northern Ireland on average per week in 2025/26.
In video, the BBC was the leader in Northern Ireland in 2025/26. However, the proportion of people watching BBC TV in Northern Ireland and the time spent fell more than the other nations, though Northern Ireland remains ahead of England overall and Scotland in BBC viewing time. The proportion of adults in Northern Ireland listening to BBC Radio was down year-on-year, more so than the other nations. Usage of BBC Online overall and iPlayer were up year-on-year to record levels in 2025/26, though Sounds accounts did not grow.
On average, 58% of adults in Northern Ireland consumed BBC Northern Ireland content per week across BBC TV/iPlayer, BBC Radio and BBC Online – remaining the highest level of consumption of nations/regions content in the UK despite a dip in 2025/26.
Purpose 4. To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and support the creative economy
Northern Ireland adults 16+
Experience: Usage of the BBC amongst adults in Northern Ireland
| Service | Year | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Pan-BBC reach |
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% of adults in Northern Ireland who use BBC TV/iPlayer, Radio or Online on average per week | 2025/26 | 84% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who use BBC TV/iPlayer, Radio or Online on average per week | 2024/25 | 86% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
BBC TV/iPlayer |
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|
|
% of adults in Northern Ireland who watch BBC TV/iPlayer on average per week | 2025/26 | 63% | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who watch BBC TV/iPlayer on average per week | 2024/25 | 69% | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time adults in Northern Ireland spend with BBC TV/iPlayer per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2025/26 | 06:10 | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time adults in Northern Ireland spend with BBC TV/iPlayer per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2024/25 | 06:54 | BARB As Viewed (all devices). 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
BBC Radio |
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|
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% of adults in Northern Ireland who listen to BBC Radio on average per week | 2025/26 | 48% | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who listen to BBC Radio on average per week | 2024/25 | 52% | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time adults in Northern Ireland spend with BBC Radio per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2025/26 | 06:36 | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
Length of time adults in Northern Ireland spend with BBC Radio per head on average per week (hours:mins) | 2024/25 | 07:12 | RAJAR. 16+. Reach based on 15+ mins |
BBC Online |
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|
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% of adults in Northern Ireland who use BBC Online on average per week | 2025/26 | 66% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who use BBC Online on average per week | 2024/25 | 65% | Compass by Ipsos UK. 16+ |
BBC iPlayer |
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Average weekly active accounts in Northern Ireland using BBC iPlayer | 2025/26 | 366k | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
Average weekly active accounts in Northern Ireland using BBC iPlayer | 2024/25 | 360k | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
BBC Sounds |
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Average weekly active accounts in Northern Ireland using BBC Sounds | 2025/26 | 102k | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
Average weekly active accounts in Northern Ireland using BBC Sounds | 2024/25 | 103k | Piano Analytics. All accounts |
BBC Northern Ireland content across BBC TV, Radio and Online |
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% of adults in Northern Ireland consuming BBC Northern Ireland content on average per week | 2025/26 | 58% | BARB, RAJAR, Piano Analytics, Compass by Ipsos UK |
% of adults in Northern Ireland consuming BBC Northern Ireland content on average per week | 2024/25 | 64% | BARB, RAJAR, Piano Analytics, Compass by Ipsos UK |
Perception
| Year | % Effective | % Ineffective | |
|---|---|---|---|
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2025/26 | 63% | 15% |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC informs, educates and entertains people in the UK/them | 2024/25 | 60% | 13% |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2025/26 | 50% | 24% |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC is effective at reflecting people like them | 2024/25 | 45% | 26% |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2025/26 | 61% | 17% |
% of adults in Northern Ireland who think the BBC is effective at providing content/services that set a high standard for quality | 2024/25 | 60% | 11% |
Source: Ipsos UK. 16+
Northern Ireland-only services
Dedicated services for Northern Ireland
BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle are speech-led services, providing a mix of programmes that reflect news, events and community life in all its different aspects and diversity.
- 25% - Northern Ireland population who use the service on average per week (2024/25: 28%)
Reach definition: 15+ minutes and audiences aged 15+
Source: RAJAR (Radio reach and time per listener; data based on total survey area – TSA)
BBC Northern Ireland TV content
| Measure | Year | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
% in Northern Ireland who view BBC Northern Ireland TV content on average per week | 2025/26 | 35% (4+) / 40% (16+) |
% in Northern Ireland who view BBC Northern Ireland TV content on average per week | 2024/25 | 39% (4+) / 45% (16+) |
Source: BARB As Viewed (all devices). Reach based on 3+ mins
Northern Ireland 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 |
|---|---|---|
UK | 3,879 | 3,843 |
Northern Ireland | 101 | 100 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|
Network content |
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|
Watch (under Ofcom regional production criteria) | 36 | 31 |
Listen | 2 | 2 |
Total network spend ^ | 38 | 33 |
Northern Ireland content |
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Watch | 31 | 29 |
Listen | 20 | 19 |
Browse | 8 | 10 |
Total Northern Ireland spend | 59 | 58 |
Distribution | 11 | 10 |
Total before amortisation adjustment | 108 | 101 |
Adjustment for transmission amortisation | (8) | (5) |
Total | 100 | 96 |
* 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.
Northern Ireland opt-out hours ^ (including repeats) on BBC One and BBC Two
| 2025/26 Hours | 2024/25 Hours | |
|---|---|---|
Drama, Comedy, Entertainment, Music and Arts | 49 | 35 |
Daily, Weekly News and Current Affairs | 376 | 387 |
Sport and Leisure | 78 | 90 |
Education, Factual and Religion | 249 | 167 |
Total | 752 | 679 |
^ Television content commissioned specifically for audiences in the nation.
BBC Radio Foyle/Ulster
| 2025/26 Hours | 2024/25 Hours | |
|---|---|---|
News and Current Affairs | 2,748 | 2,922 |
General | 4,971 | 4,655 |
Total | 7,719 | 7,577 |
Headcount
Average headcount of individuals based in Northern Ireland across all services including support functions
| 2025/26 Number | 2024/25 Number | |
|---|---|---|
Average number of persons employed in the year | 635 | 647 |
