BBC iPlayer racks up record year thanks to Blue Planet and Taboo

Over 3.3 billion requests were made in 2017
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Natasha Sporn12 February 2018

BBC iPlayer enjoyed its most successful year yet after the nation’s love for Sir David Attenborough and Tom Hardy raked in big audiences.

On average, viewers streamed around 272 million programmes a month in 2017 with 3.3 billion requests across the year, up 11% on previous years.

The year’s most popular show mantel was bestowed upon Sir Attenborough, who’s Blue Planet II first episode was requested a massive 4,768,000 times.

Hollywood actor Hardy’s Taboo’s debut was the second most viewed show, just shy of Attenborough with 4,464,000.

Taboo - the cast of BBC's period drama with Tom Hardy

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First episodes of Suranne Jones thriller Doctor Foster and Three Girls occupied third and fourth spot with over 3,500,000 each.

Out of the 12 months, December proved the most popular with 327 million requests alone – the same month the BBC made popular box sets available on its hub.

Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC iPlayer, said: “It's been an extraordinary year for BBC iPlayer.

"In 2018, we'll be looking to build on these successes and continue to make BBC iPlayer a must-visit destination in its own right."

Other popular hits included Sherlock, Peaky Blinders, Line of Duty and Apple Tree Yard.

Most viewed shows on BBC iPlayer

 

1. Blue Planet II (Series 1, One Ocean, Episode 1) 4,768,000

2. Taboo (Episode 1) 4,464,000

3. Doctor Foster (Series 2, Episode 1) 3,677,000

4. Three Girls (Series 1, Episode 1) 3,588,000

5. Blue Planet II (Series 1, The Deep, Episode 2) 3,560,000

6. Sherlock (Series 4, The Six Thatchers, Episode 1) 3,445,000

7. Peaky Blinders (Series 4, The Noose, Episode 1) 3,358,000

8. Line of Duty (Series 4, Episode 1) 3,114,000

9. Apple Tree Yard (Series 1, Episode 1) 3,112,000

10. Three Girls (Series 1, Episode 2) 3,098,000

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