December 4th 2024.
Love Island has truly proven its worth as one of the most popular shows on television. Recently, ITVX released their list of top streamed shows, and one show's inclusion may come as a surprise to many. In celebration of ITVX's second birthday, ITV has given us a glimpse into the viewing habits of their audience, with a full rundown of the series that have captured our hearts.
Dramas have clearly been a hit, with a whopping 1.5 billion streams, including popular titles like Red Eye, After The Flood, Trigger Point, The Long Shadow, Joan, and Until I Kill You. However, it may not be shocking that the impactful Mr Bates vs The Post Office took the crown as ITVX's most watched commissioned title. With a total audience of 15.1 million viewers tuning in for the final episode of the four-part series, it's clear that this show has left a lasting impression on its viewers.
But, the surprises don't stop there. Love Island, a dating show that has received some criticism, has delivered a massive 640 million streams, securing its spot as the second most watched commissioned programme on ITVX. This even beat out the popular show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which landed in third place. Rounding out the top five were Red Eye and Trigger Point, with sport excluded from the list.
It's no surprise that Love Island continues to be a hit with audiences, despite some initial doubts. In fact, it even surpassed other highly anticipated shows like Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, with a combined total of almost 70 million streams. The biggest UK audience of 2024 was for ITV's coverage of the England vs The Netherlands match, which peaked at 21.6 million viewers across ITV1 and ITVX.
Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, proudly stated that in terms of the most talked about programming and its resonance with UK viewers, ITV has been the market leader. He also noted that Mr Bates vs The Post Office is the most watched UK drama of 2024, surpassing any other show on any channel or streaming platform. And with 640 million streams since its launch, Love Island remains the biggest reality show on ITVX for UK audiences.
Lygo also celebrated the success of ITVX, which has become the UK's fastest growing streaming platform in the past two years. It's clear that Love Island and other popular shows have helped contribute to this growth.
In 2024, ITV aired the first UK version of Love Island All Stars, as well as series 11 of the original version. While some fans complained about the show being a "snooze fest" and not being able to watch another series, there were still many loyal viewers tuning in. Despite some criticism about the line-up and certain contestants, it's clear that Love Island remains a must-watch for many.
But, what keeps so many people hooked on Love Island, despite some claiming to hate it? According to Dr Ross Garner, Senior Lecturer in Spatial and Material Cultures of Media Consumption at Cardiff University, it may have to do with our societal pressure to find a partner and reproduce. He believes that the show's focus on heterosexual coupling aligns with the aims of capitalism, making it a relatable and entertaining watch for many.
Dr Ian Goode, Senior Lecturer in Theatre, Film and Television Studies at the University of Glasgow, also believes that reality TV allows for a voyeuristic experience and gives viewers a thrill by placing them in a privileged position to witness engineered situations. Forensic Psychologist Dr Simon Duff adds that TV can also serve as a "classroom" for parts of life that are otherwise private, allowing viewers to learn from the behaviors of others.
Love Island has been a part of many viewers' lives for almost a decade now, and it has become a cultural phenomenon. It's no surprise that loyal fans continue to tune in, even with some critiques about the show's lack of diversity and inclusion. Nevertheless, host Maya Jama has captured the hearts of many fans and has even been a reason for some to continue watching the show. Love Island provides a much-needed escape from everyday life, and it's easy to follow along with the plot without too much concentration.
Despite its flaws, Love Island remains a beloved show for many, and it doesn't seem like it will lose its popularity anytime soon. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to watch the drama unfold on the most talked about show on ITVX.
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