July saw a remarkable surge in viewership for top TV news channels.
Both the BBC News Channel and Sky News experienced significant increases in their audience numbers.
General Election Boost
The UK general election in July drew massive attention. Voters were eager for updates on the electoral process, causing a surge in viewership for news channels.
BBC News Channel’s audience saw a 22% increase compared to June, reaching 12.8 million viewers. Meanwhile, Sky News experienced a 25% rise, totalling 10 million viewers.
Assassination Attempt on Trump
The assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump was a significant event in July. It captivated global audiences and led to a spike in viewership.
Sky News notably outperformed BBC News on this day, nearly doubling the BBC’s audience. This rare occurrence highlighted Sky News’ ability to cover breaking news effectively.
England Reaches the Euros Final
England’s progression to the Euros final was another major viewer magnet.
The excitement and national pride surrounding the event led to increased audiences for live coverage and updates. The BBC and Sky News both benefited from the heightened interest in sports news.
Sky News saw its total digital audience rise to 37.6 million users, over 50% above its monthly average for 2024.
Sky News Faces IT Outage
In the midst of these events, Sky News had its own challenges. A global IT outage impacted their operations.
Despite this, Sky News continued to deliver comprehensive coverage, further boosting its credibility among viewers.
David Rhodes, Sky News’ executive chair, noted that this incident showcased their capacity to provide ‘the full story, first.’
Public Disorder in Southport
The knife attack and subsequent public disorder in Southport was another tragic but highly followed event.
Viewers turned to news channels for updates and safety information. This incident underscored the critical role of TV news in times of crisis.
The BBC and Sky News both saw increased viewership as people sought immediate and reliable information.
Internal Metrics at Sky News
Sky News utilised internal Adobe metrics to assess their reach.
In July, Sky News reported a total digital audience of 37.6 million users, significantly above their monthly average.
This data indicates a growing reliance on digital platforms for news consumption.
July in Retrospect
July was a banner month for TV news channels.
The combination of political events, sports achievements, and public crises drove a substantial increase in viewership.
July was a pivotal month for news channels.
The various events not only boosted viewership but also highlighted the importance of reliable news coverage.