The BBC dominates the Top 10 most viewed Factual programs in the UK for 2021.
The mix of documentary and lifestyle programs is led by the Attenborough-narrated A Perfect Planet, with more than 7 million viewers and nearly 30% share.
Storm Clouds:
This week, the troubled Boris Johnson government announced an ominous overhaul of the BBC’s funding streams, implying a long-term threat to the provider of Britain’s most popular programs as well as to audiences worldwide through the Beeb’s web of copro and sales agreements.
Snapshot
My ratings snapshot for 2021 is comprised of:
- The Top 50 in the combined Documentary and Lifestyle / Hobbies categories.
- Brief Takeaways.
- Then #51-100.
A Perfect Planet
UK Broadcast Audience
Documentary & Hobbies Category
Top 50 2021
(Highest-rated episode of series)
| Title | Channel | Genre | Genre | Share | 000’s | |
| 1 | A PERFECT PLANET | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 28.9% | 7,001.6 |
| 2 | ANTIQUES ROADSHOW | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Buying & Selling | 37.4% | 6,722.6 |
| 3 | COUNTRYFILE | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 31.8% | 6,324.5 |
| 4 | TOP GEAR | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Auto | 27.4% | 6,288.9 |
| 5 | THE REPAIR SHOP | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | DIY | 25.7% | 6,070.0 |
| 6 | KATE GARRAWAY: FINDING DEREK | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 23.5% | 5,749.0 |
| 7 | BRADLEY WALSH & SON: BREAKING DAD | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 24.4% | 5,726.0 |
| 8 | BRADLEY & BARNEY WALSH: BREAKING DAD | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 24.1% | 5,707.1 |
| 9 | THE PEMBROKESHIRE MURDERS | ITV | Documentaries | Crime | 22.3% | 5,666.1 |
| 10 | ATTENBOROUGH’S LIFE IN COLOUR | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 27.5% | 5,641.4 |
| 11 | LONG LOST FAMILY: BORN WITHOUT TRACE | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 22.7% | 4,995.1 |
| 12 | WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? | BBC One | Documentaries | Human Interest | 24.1% | 4,897.5 |
| 13 | PRINCE PHILIP: ROYAL FAMILY REMEMBERS | BBC One | Documentaries | Modern History | 22.5% | 4,824.3 |
| 14 | LONG LOST FAMILY | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 21.6% | 4,651.6 |
| 15 | PAUL O’GRADY: FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS | ITV | Documentaries | Natural History | 21.0% | 4,597.4 |
| 16 | 24 HOURS IN POLICE CUSTODY | C4 | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 18.1% | 4,454.8 |
| 17 | PADDY & CHRISTINE MCGUINNESS | BBC One | Documentaries | Human Interest | 21.3% | 4,376.7 |
| 18 | DNA JOURNEY | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 20.6% | 4,314.1 |
| 19 | 9/11: INSIDE THE PRESIDENT’S WAR ROOM | BBC One | Documentaries | Modern History | 21.8% | 4,205.5 |
| 20 | JOANNA LUMLEY’S HOME SWEET HOME | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 18.3% | 4,092.4 |
| 21 | OUR YORKSHIRE FARM | C5 | Documentaries | Human Interest | 17.2% | 3,980.2 |
| 22 | THE MATING GAME | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 22.0% | 3,930.0 |
| 23 | KATIE PRICE: HARVEY AND ME | BBC One | Documentaries | Human Interest | 16.9% | 3,888.0 |
| 24 | DIY SOS | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 16.1% | 3,883.9 |
| 25 | GRAND DESIGNS | C4 | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 14.9% | 3,771.5 |
| 26 | HEATHROW: BRITAIN’S BUSIEST AIRPORT | ITV | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 17.2% | 3,769.4 |
| 27 | LOVE YOUR GARDEN | ITV | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 16.7% | 3,731.9 |
| 28 | REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: THE CENOTAPH | BBC One | Current Affairs | Special Events | 48.2% | 3,702.3 |
| 29 | GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN | C4 | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 14.0% | 3,702.3 |
| 30 | EARTHSHOT PRIZE: REPAIRING OUR PLANET | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 25.2% | 3,691.9 |
| 31 | AMBULANCE | BBC One | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 18.9% | 3,644.4 |
| 32 | CRAIG & BRUNO’S GREAT BRITISH ROAD | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 22.5% | 3,627.7 |
| 33 | CORNWALL AND DEVON WALKS | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 17.0% | 3,592.2 |
| 34 | INSIDE CHERNOBYL WITH BEN FOGLE | C5 | Documentaries | Modern History | 17.3% | 3,584.4 |
| 35 | MARTIN LEWIS EXTREME SAVERS | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 18.7% | 3,565.7 |
| 36 | RESPONSE BY OPPOSITION (Peter”s sorting error) | ITV | Current Affairs | Political/Eco/Social | 22.5% | 3,459.1 |
| 37 | DANCING ON THIN ICE / TORVILL & DEAN | ITV | Documentaries | Natural History | 14.1% | 3,434.1 |
| 38 | RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 25.5% | 3,372.8 |
| 39 | FRIENDS: THE REUNION | Sky One | Documentaries | Arts, TV, Film & Music | 45.6% | 3,370.6 |
| 40 | MARY BERRY’S FESTIVE FEASTS | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Cookery | 20.2% | 3,356.9 |
| 41 | BRADLEY AND BARNEY: BREAKING DAD | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 16.5% | 3,351.2 |
| 42 | FAKE OR FORTUNE? | BBC One | Documentaries | Arts, TV, Film & Music | 17.1% | 3,336.5 |
| 43 | THE MARTIN LEWIS MONEY SHOW: LIVE | ITV | Current Affairs | Consumer Affairs | 18.9% | 3,188.4 |
| 44 | INTERIOR DESIGN MASTERS / ALAN CARR | BBC Two | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 13.0% | 3,129.0 |
| 45 | CAROLINE FLACK: HER LIFE AND DEATH | C4 | Documentaries | Celebrity | 13.9% | 3,104.7 |
| 46 | LONG LOST FAMILY: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 17.3% | 3,093.1 |
| 47 | GARDEN RESCUE | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 17.2% | 3,066.9 |
| 48 | FORENSICS: THE REAL CSI | BBC Two | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 13.1% | 3,020.4 |
| 49 | BRITAIN’S BEST WALKS / JULIA BRADBURY | ITV | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 14.0% | 3,010.0 |
| 50 | UNDERCOVER BIG BOSS | ITV | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 15.1% | 3,008.9 |
Read more below…
Quick Takeaways
- In the 2nd year of Covid, UK viewers sought out programs, formats and talent that are familiar and comfortable.
- David Attenborough‘s towering appeal is even further amplified as viewers turned to his hallmark natural history series at #1.
- The 2020 Top Takeaway theme of Land & Country continues in 2021 with the success of the nostalgic Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, Repair Shop,
- And Our Yorkshire Farm (#21) is a triumph for underdog Channel 5.
Documentaries
Among the ‘tough topic’ documentaries in the Top 50 are:
- 9/11: Inside The President’s War Room, a BBC /Apple TV+ project built on unique access to president Bush’s inner circle.
- Kate Garraway Finding Derek: BAFTA winner captures the suffering and care demandd by long term Covid.
- Earthshot Prize was Prince William’s showcase for innovative climate change solutions.
Royals
- I see fewer History and Royal Family programs than in past years’ Top 50’s.
- However, I cross-checked the Current Affairs category to find huge audiences for broadcasts of the Queen’s Christmas greetings and for Prince Phillip’s funeral:
- A friend writes: “The image of the Queen sitting alone at Prince Philip’s funeral is regarded as one of the most poignant and representative of the pandemic in the UK.”
Natural History
- The genre remains popular and endearing, with both blue chip and popular (Love of Dogs) shows ranked among the top 100.
Best of British 2021
#51-100
| Title | Channel | Genre | Genre | Share | 000’s | |
| 51 | MILLION POUND PAWN | ITV | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 13.1% | 3,005.7 |
| 52 | WHAT ARE WE FEEDING OUR KIDS? | BBC One | Documentaries | Science/Medical | 16.9% | 2,995.2 |
| 53 | JOHNNY BRIGGS: CORONATION ST LEGEND | ITV | Documentaries | Celebrity | 14.6% | 2,988.7 |
| 54 | GARDENERS’ WORLD | BBC Two | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 13.3% | 2,961.1 |
| 55 | ATTENBOROUGH / MAMMOTH GRAVEYARD | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 18.3% | 2,952.4 |
| 56 | THE REAL MANHUNT: THE NIGHT STALKER | ITV | Documentaries | Crime | 14.1% | 2,912.2 |
| 57 | SEVEN WORLDS, ONE PLANET | BBC One | Documentaries | Natural History | 17.4% | 2,903.9 |
| 58 | THE QUEEN UNSEEN | ITV | Documentaries | Modern History | 12.5% | 2,901.2 |
| 59 | THE DETECTIVES: FIGHTING ORGANISED CRIME | BBC Two | Documentaries | Crime | 13.2% | 2,900.1 |
| 60 | QUESTION TIME | BBC One | Current Affairs | Political/Eco/Social | 14.3% | 2,898.1 |
| 61 | ALAN TITCHMARSH: SPRING INTO SUMMER | ITV | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 14.8% | 2,895.2 |
| 62 | LOUIS THEROUX | BBC Two | Documentaries | Human Interest | 12.3% | 2,893.5 |
| 63 | WINTERWATCH | BBC Two | Documentaries | Natural History | 14.3% | 2,892.0 |
| 64 | ELECTIONS 2021 | BBC One | Current Affairs | Political/Eco/Social | 16.2% | 2,885.0 |
| 65 | RETURN TO DUNBLANE / LORRAINE KELLY | ITV | Documentaries | Modern History | 14.0% | 2,872.6 |
| 66 | PARKINSON AT 50 | BBC One | Documentaries | Arts, TV, Film & Music | 20.9% | 2,867.2 |
| 67 | THE DAY WILL AND KATE GOT MARRIED | ITV | Documentaries | Modern History | 12.6% | 2,841.2 |
| 68 | THE BIDDING ROOM | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Buying & Selling | 13.7% | 2,834.4 |
| 69 | RIP OFF BRITAIN | BBC One | Current Affairs | Consumer Affairs | 19.1% | 2,829.0 |
| 70 | THE LAKES WITH SIMON REEVE | BBC Two | Documentaries | Travel | 13.9% | 2,826.4 |
| 71 | MY YEARS WITH THE QUEEN | ITV | Documentaries | Modern History | 13.2% | 2,820.8 |
| 72 | JAMES MARTIN’S ISLANDS TO HIGHLANDS | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 15.5% | 2,809.2 |
| 73 | THE QUEEN AND HER COUSINS | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 12.7% | 2,787.6 |
| 74 | BRITAIN’S TIGER KINGS – ON THE TRAIL | ITV | Documentaries | Human Interest | 12.4% | 2,774.5 |
| 75 | EAT, SHOP, SAVE | ITV | Current Affairs | Consumer Affairs | 17.8% | 2,750.9 |
| 76 | INSIDE THE FACTORY | BBC Two | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 13.0% | 2,747.3 |
| 77 | DEC AFGHANISTAN CRISIS APPEAL | ITV | Current Affairs | Special Events | 18.6% | 2,728.8 |
| 78 | SPRINGWATCH | BBC Two | Documentaries | Natural History | 15.5% | 2,728.2 |
| 79 | THE TRUMP SHOW | BBC Two | Current Affairs | Political/Eco/Social | 12.1% | 2,727.3 |
| 80 | HRH DUKE OF EDINBURGH REMEMBERED | BBC One | Documentaries | Modern History | 16.7% | 2,703.5 |
| 81 | ACCUSED OF MURDERING OUR SON | ITV | Documentaries | Crime | 14.2% | 2,702.6 |
| 82 | I CAN’T SAY MY NAME: STAMMERING | BBC One | Documentaries | Human Interest | 13.7% | 2,690.5 |
| 83 | MANHUNT | C5 | Documentaries | Crime | 13.4% | 2,674.8 |
| 84 | BARGAIN HUNT | BBC One | Hobbies/Leisure | Buying & Selling | 32.6% | 2,665.8 |
| 85 | NO BODY RECOVERED | ITV | Documentaries | Crime | 13.8% | 2,665.0 |
| 86 | THIS TIME WITH ALAN PARTRIDGE | BBC One | Current Affairs | Magazine | 12.2% | 2,660.7 |
| 87 | AMAZING HOTELS: LIFE BEYOND THE LOBBY | BBC Two | Documentaries | Travel | 13.0% | 2,657.5 |
| 88 | SOUTH AFRICA WITH GREGG WALLACE | ITV | Documentaries | Travel | 13.1% | 2,654.2 |
| 89 | SAVILE: PORTRAIT OF A PREDATOR | ITV | Documentaries | Crime | 13.3% | 2,652.4 |
| 90 | DIANA | ITV | Documentaries | Celebrity | 16.1% | 2,633.2 |
| 91 | 9/11: LIFE UNDER ATTACK | ITV | Documentaries | Modern History | 13.3% | 2,623.1 |
| 92 | MARTIN CLUNES: ISLANDS OF AUSTRALIA | ITV | Documentaries | Natural History | 12.6% | 2,607.8 |
| 93 | ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU | C 4 | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 13.1% | 2,606.3 |
| 94 | STONEHENGE: THE LOST CIRCLE REVEALED | BBC Two | Documentaries | History | 11.0% | 2,598.7 |
| 95 | KIRSTIE AND PHIL’S LOVE IT OR LIST IT | C4 | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 11.8% | 2,578.9 |
| 96 | THE ANDREW MARR SHOW | BBC One | Current Affairs | Political/Eco/Social | 37.9% | 2,563.3 |
| 97 | THE CRASH DETECTIVES | BBC One | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 12.0% | 2,551.2 |
| 98 | LOVE YOUR GARDEN THEMED SPECIALS | ITV | Hobbies/Leisure | Gardening | 15.1% | 2,540.0 |
| 99 | BEYOND THE LINE: N. WALES TRAFFIC COP | ITV | Documentaries | Fly on the Wall | 13.5% | 2,537.2 |
| 100 | MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE: GONE FISHING | BBC Two | Hobbies/Leisure | Pursuits – Lifestyle | 12.2% | 2,536.2 |
Netflix Factor
- Ratings for Netflix and other streamers not yet regularly available at the genre/programme level.
- But BARB indicated SVOD/AVOD in December taking 15% share of overall total viewing
Notes on the Data
- The ‘000’ column refers to viewers 4 years and older in thousands.
- Share refers to the program’s share of television sets in use at that time.
- The data refers to highest single episode in a series.
- The data and categories come from various ratings agencies, and titles are sometimes incomplete
- #36 RESPONSE BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION — my mistake: accidentally included in Docs/Lifestyle
Genre Pie Chart
(Thanks to Vijay Mavjee)
