CBS channels see viewing figures increase as locked-down viewers choose Judge Judy.
AMC Networks International confirmed its UK channels – CBS Drama, CBS Justice, CBS Reality and Horror – have continued to see audiences grow in the past year.
CBS Reality maintained its position as the number 1 UK factual entertainment channel amongst women. The channel accounted for 1.42% of the UK’s adult commercial TV audience in 2020. In total, it attracted 5.6 million adults every month. True crime programming, including Judge Judy boosted the channel’s primetime market share by 16% to 0.88%. CBS Reality’s original series New Scotland Yard Files became the highest rating premiere series in the channel’s history. It scored an average of 275,000 viewers across the series.
> CBS Reality’s boost comes after a number of free-to-air true crime- channels ceased broadcasting in 2019/20, including Sony Crime and TruTV UK. The channel is also simulcast on some local TV channels during the afternoon and after 9pm. Figures from local TV distribution are understood to be counted separately.
CBS Justice and CBS Drama also reached their highest ever share, reaching 3.5 and 3.3 million adults every month respectively.
Kevin Dickie, EVP/MD of AMC Networks International – UK, commented:
“The UK broadcast industry has faced numerous challenges this past year. I’m thankful for the dedication of my colleagues and the resilience of our many partners during these times. It is them, and our incredibly loyal audiences, that not only helped us get through last year, but achieve some strong results. The ViacomCBS UK channel portfolio has continued on its year-on-year growth trajectory, delivering a share of 3.19% of the total UK commercial network. We look forward to offering more acclaimed original and popular acquired programming to serve our audiences and partners over the coming months.”