BBC3’s target audience increases by 44%

Published Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 15:45 by Matthew Hemley

BBC3’s attempt to reach younger viewers through its schedule revamp has been hailed as a success by the Corporation.

It says the channel has seen its share of viewers aged between 16 and 34 increase by 44% compared with this time last year.

Over the month since its relaunch, the channel secured a share of 3.9% of all those aged between 16 and 34 who were watching television over the channel’s transmission hours between 7pm and 2am, an increase of 44%.

According to figures released today, 41% of the channel’s audience are now aged 16 to 34, an increase of 14% year on year.

As part of its relaunch, BBC3 screened a series of drama pilots, including Being Human, which starred Russell Tovey.

The channel said the drama was the most requested programme on the BBC iPlayer on the day after it was screened, with Lilly Allen and Friends the second most requested following its first episode.

The show now has 30,000 unique weekly users visiting its website.

BBC3 controller Danny Cohen said: “I’m delighted that young audiences have responded so positively to the changes we’ve made to BBC3. We’re going to continue to work hard to introduce new programmes and new talent to our target audience.”