TV Licensing
- / Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows by Genre in 2024
Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows in the UK
TV plays a central role in everyday life, with a huge range of popular TV shows offering a shared source of conversation, drama, and entertainment. Viewing figures proved that live and shared TV moments still had a powerful pull across 2024.
Reality
- I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! drew an average audience of 9.1 million
- Celebrity Big Brother attracted an average audience of 2.6 million
- The Fortune Hotel reached an average audience of 2.5 million
- Love Island attracted an average audience of 2.2 million
- Phillip Schofield’s CastAway drew an average audience of 2.2 million
The reality genre offers a unique glimpse into real lives and surreal scenarios, keeping viewers glued to the screen night after night.
Sport
- Euro 2024 coverage attracted a combined total average audience of 8.4 million
- Rugby’s Six Nations Championship drew an average audience of 3.2 million
- The Paris Olympics reached an average audience of 3 million
- Match of the Day drew an average audience of 3.2 million
- UEFA Nations League reached an average audience of 2.8 million
The thrill of every goal, try and gold medal continues to make live sport unmissable. With events now streamed on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, there are even more ways to enjoy them with a TV Licence.
News
- BBC News at Six – average audience 3.6 million
- BBC News at One – average audience 3.2 million
- BBC News at Ten – average audience 2.7 million
- BBC Weekend News – average audience 2.4 million
- ITV Evening News – average audience 2.3 million
News programmes continue to act as a source of transparency, verifying information and claims to ensure accuracy.
Drama – Crime & Legal
- Ludwig drew an average audience of 8.3 million
- Trigger Point reached an average audience of 7.9 million
- Death in Paradise attracted an average audience of 7.6 million
- Silent Witness drew an average audience of 7.3 million
- Strike reached an average audience of 7 million
These shows tap into our fascination with justice, mystery and moral dilemmas, earning their place among the year’s most watched TV shows.
Documentaries
- Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell attracted an average audience of 8.8 million
- Asia drew an average audience of 6.3 million
- Mammals reached an average audience of 5.1 million
- Kent: The Garden of England attracted an average audience of 4.7 million
- Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams reached an average audience of 4.1 million
Documentaries remain popular due to their ability to inform, educate and entertain viewers.
Quiz, Panel, and Game Shows
- Bullseye – average audience 6.3 million
- Gladiators – average audience 6.3 million
- The 1% Club – average audience 5.4 million
- Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel – average audience 5.1 million
- Have I Got News For You – average audience 4.2 million
With charming hosts, eager contestants, unpredictable battles and debates, these shows never failed to keep viewers entertained.
Entertainment & Talent
- Strictly Come Dancing attracted an average audience of 8 million
- Britain’s Got Talent drew an average audience of 6.1 million
- Michael McIntyre’s Big Show reached an average audience of 5.7 million
- Saturday Night Takeaway drew an average audience of 5.5 million
- The Masked Singer attracted an average audience of 5.2 million
These entertainment favourites continue to mix music, comedy, and surprise performances into unforgettable weekend TV.
Soaps
- Coronation Street – average audience 4.6 million
- Emmerdale – average audience 4 million
- EastEnders – average audience 3.8 million
- Doctors – average audience 1.4 million
- Home and Away – average audience 800,000
Soaps with their emphasis on family, relationships, and dramatic storylines continue to have an enduring appeal for viewers.
Live Entertainment & Awards
- The Royal Variety Performance – average audience 3.9 million
- Eurovision Song Contest – average audience 3.3 million
- The BRIT Awards – average audience 3.2 million
- The BAFTA Film Awards – average audience 3.1 million
- The National Television Awards – average audience 3.1 million
These events continue to deliver moments of national pride, artistic excellence and unforgettable live TV.
Sitcoms
- Gavin & Stacey attracted an average audience of 21 million
- Outnumbered reached an average audience of 8 million
- Mrs Brown’s Boys drew an average audience of 4.7 million
- The Cleaner attracted an average audience of 2.9 million
- Only Child reached an average audience of 2.1 million
As ever, the top-rated comedy TV shows delivered joy, nostalgia, and sharp writing, proving laughter is timeless.
Why Your TV Licence Matters
From major matches and popular shows to moving moments, live TV continues to connect millions across the UK.