BBC, Sky, and Netflix Lead in YouTube UK Reach, While Niche Channels Build Strong Loyalty
EXCLUSIVE: New data reveals that traditional media outlets such as Sky, the BBC, and Netflix substantially outpaced other channels in reaching YouTube users in the UK last year.
Both Sky and the BBC have two channels each in the top 10, including Sky Sports Premier League and BBC News, demonstrating their significant presence on the platform.
The data highlights a growing trend: traditional content from major broadcasters has become a daily viewing habit for millions, though it is often consumed in brief segments.
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In terms of hours viewed in 2025, the top 10 YouTube UK channels differ significantly from those with the highest reach. The gaming channel Gopher topped the list with 95.6 million hours, followed closely by Dylan is in Trouble at 61.3 million, and gamer Oxhorn at 61.1 million. Other popular channels include the Sidemen and Ms Rachel, who offers learning videos for toddlers. Notably, the Sidemen maintain the largest reach at 2 million users, marking their successful transition into mainstream media.
The stark contrast between the reach and hours viewed reflects varying engagement levels. For instance, while Gopher draws viewership from just 61,000 users, averaging four hours per day per viewer, Sky News is watched for less than a minute per user— a significant difference.
The evolving landscape has traditional broadcasters like the BBC actively producing YouTube-exclusive content. Recently, the BBC secured a pivotal agreement with Google, aiming to launch 50 new channels featuring children’s programming, documentaries, and natural history content. Despite acknowledging limited commercial potential, the BBC emphasizes this initiative as a strategy to engage younger audiences. Other networks, such as Channel 4, have been creating YouTube-exclusive content for several years, though they did not rank in the top 10.
“Reach and engagement are two very different measures of success on YouTube,” said Elena Mozzato, senior analyst at Digital i. “Traditional publishers can still dominate reach, but creators like Gopher show the power of highly engaged audiences who spend hours, not minutes, watching content.”
The lists in full:
Reach
1 Sky News, 9 million users
2 BBC, 8.4 million
3 Netflix, 7.9 million
4 IGN, 6.3 million
5 ITV News, 5.8 million
6 BBC News, 5.8 million
7 TNT Sports Football, 5.5 million
8 The Sun, 5.3 million
9 RHINO, 5.3 million
10 Sky Sports Premier League, 5.3 million
Hours viewed
1 Gopher, 95.6 million hours viewed
2 Dylan Is In Trouble, 61.3 million
3 Oxhorn, 61.1 million
4 Sidemen, 52.9 million
5 moresimsie, 49.4 million
6 MoreSidemen, 47.1 million
7 Smosh Games, 44.3 million
8 a bit more willne, 38 million
9 Ms Rachel, 37.6 million
10 WildEarth, 36 million
