Thursday, April 09, 2020

Nickelodeon UK Sees Ratings Uptick During Coronavirus Outbreak

TV networks around the world are feeling the effects of an advertising slump as advertisers shift resources to more critical business functions during the global COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) crisis. Meanwhile, production has ground to a halt, disrupting the whole ecosystem. The only notable upside is that, with many people being forced to stay at home, there as been a big surge in TV viewing, including in the United Kingdom.


According to BARB public data for March 9-15, 2020, versus Feb. 24-March 1, 2020, Nickelodeon (UK) (including +1) reported a 10.0% ratings growth, whilst Nicktoons (UK) was up 14.3%. Cartoon Network (UK) (including +1) saw a 13.3% ratings growth and Cartoonito (UK) 12.5%. Nickelodeon's sister channel MTV (UK) (including +1) also fared well, up 13.3%, as did BT Sport by airing more sports documentaries, with BT Sport 2 up 42.9% and BT Sport 3 up 15.4%.

The ratings news echos ratings in the U.S. and India.

In the U.S., Nickelodeon saw ratings uptick during the coronavirus outbreak with more people hunkering down at home. Since Friday, March 13, 2020, Nickelodeon’s portfolio of linear networks have been up 16% with Kids 2-11 compared to the prior four weeks. On Monday, March 16, ratings surged 36% over the last four weeks’ average, and were up 15% compared to the same time period last year. Nickelodeon itself has been up 18% compared to the last four weeks, also driven by Monday’s strong rise. Ratings for that day were up 27% over the recent average, and +11% compared to last year.

Meanwhile, in India, in this period of lockdown, the kids’ category has seen a surge in viewership including the growth of the Nickelodeon franchise ratings, which has in fact fuelled the growth of the entire kid’s category. The kids’ genre has seen a 33% growth by moving up to 9% share in total TV at 2+. While the Nickelodeon franchise dominates the category with 8 out of the Top 20 shows belonging to its programming line-up. Currently, the Nickelodeon franchise leads the category with a 34% market share and has witnessed a 28% growth in ratings with a 6% increase of weekly reach and a 20% increase in weekly viewing minutes across the franchise. As families stay indoors, co-viewing of the Nickelodeon franchise has grown substantially (15+ age group has seen a 23% growth).

From Advanced Television:

Virgin TV on demand consumption soars

With schools closing across the UK last month, Virgin TV customers turned to the likes of Peppa Pig, Paddington Bear and Paw Patrol to keep their children entertained – according to analysis of Virgin TV’s On Demand programming for March.

With children staying at home, Virgin TV saw 1.6 million views of its collection of On Demand kids’ TV shows – a 37 per cent increase on the month before.

Views peaked during the week of March 23rd – the first week after schools shut – and with Virgin Media making seven of its most popular children’s channels including, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito, available to Virgin TV customers at no extra cost until April 21st.

Overall, Henry Danger was the most watched kids’ TV series in March, followed by Peppa Pig, The Adventures of Paddington Bear and Paw Patrol – all available on Nickelodeon.

With more people staying indoors, Virgin TV customers’ appetite for On Demand programming soared, with almost 28 million views of hit TV shows and blockbuster films in March.

March recorded the largest number of On Demand views for 2020.

March 28th was the most popular day in the month for customers watching On Demand, with the first episode of Channel 4’s comedy, Friday Night Dinner, Elton John musical biopic, Rocketman (via Sky Movies) and Channel’5 Murder Mystery helping to keep the nation laughing, singing and guessing.

The most popular programmes for March were ITV’s dramas, Liar, and Flesh and Blood.

David Bouchier, Virgin Media’s Chief Digital Entertainment Officer, commented: “I’m pleased that, with everyone obliged to stay at home, we have been able to entertain Virgin TV’s youngest viewers and provide them with even more On Demand kids TV programmes. At this difficult time we’ve made a number of extra channels available at no extra cost, so our customers have plenty of great TV to enjoy over the coming weeks.”

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From Broadband TV News:

Stay at home kids give boost to Virgin TV’s On Demand

With children staying at home, Virgin TV saw 1.6 million views of its vast collection of On Demand kids’ TV shows – a huge 37% increase on the month before.

David Bouchier, Virgin Media’s Chief Digital Entertainment Officer, said: “I’m pleased that, with everyone obliged to stay at home, we have been able to entertain Virgin TV’s youngest viewers and provide them with even more On Demand kids TV programmes.”

Views peaked during the week of Monday 23 March – the first week after schools shut – and with Virgin Media making seven of its most popular children’s channels including, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito, available to Virgin TV customers at no extra cost until April 21.

Overall, Henry Danger was the most watched kids’ TV series in March, followed by Peppa Pig, The Adventures of Paddington Bear and Paw Patrol – all available on Nickelodeon.

March recorded the largest number of On Demand views for 2020.

The most popular programmes for March were ITV’s gripping dramas, Liar, and Flesh and Blood.

The data relates to viewing over Virgin Media boxes only, though the operator has also seen a rise in data traffic to its broadband service.

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You can read a more detailed report about COVID-19's impact on Europe's TV Networks and Production Landscape across Europe on S&P Global.

More Nick: Milkshake!, Nickelodeon UK Ramp Up Content Due to Coronavirus Pandemic!

Originally published: Tuesday, April 07, 2020.
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