November 22nd 2024.
As fans of Hollyoaks, we've been through a lot in the past few months. Changes are never easy, and even the slightest tweak to our daily routine can throw us off course. So when we saw that casts and episodes were being cut, it's only natural that we started to worry about the future of the show.
I can't lie, I was also feeling a bit uneasy. As someone who loves Hollyoaks just as much as the people who work on it, it was painful to see the sudden and drastic changes happening. It's been a rough ride for everyone, including the viewers, trying to navigate these choppy waters.
At the helm of it all is Hannah Cheers, who's been in her role for a short time. She's faced with the daunting task of implementing these decisions while keeping the show and its storylines fresh and engaging for the audience. It's uncharted territory, but Hollyoaks is no stranger to taking risks.
The TV landscape is constantly changing, and in order to survive, Channel 4 made the bold move to focus on digital viewings. And they were right – Hollyoaks has seen a 23% increase in ratings and a staggering 45% increase in 16-34 viewing. The show's new schedule has also seen a significant increase in streaming views, with four of the episodes ranking in the top ten biggest VOD episodes ever for Hollyoaks.
Social media has also played a big role in Hollyoaks' success, with a 97% increase in TikTok views, especially in the 16-24 age group. And with the shift to three episodes a week, there's been a noticeable uptick in social media engagement.
It's clear that the show's decision to focus on digital platforms has paid off. While live viewings may be on the decline, it doesn't mean that nobody is watching anymore. They're just watching in a different way. And as a show that appeals to multiple generations, Hollyoaks has been able to weather the storm better than some other shows.
But Hannah and her team are not resting on their laurels. They know that in order to stay relevant and successful in the long run, they need to continue adapting to the ever-changing landscape of TV. And with a team that's just as passionate about Hollyoaks as ever, they're up for the challenge.
The recent time-jump was a major creative challenge for the show, but one that they tackled head on. Going from 16 storylines to just six or seven was no easy feat, but they did it seamlessly. And with the support and love from Channel 4, they were able to reach new heights with the show.
For me personally, it's hard to believe that the time-jump was only a couple of months ago. It feels like this is the new Hollyoaks, and it's because the show has managed to maintain its familiar feel while also evolving. Of course, there will always be some differences and storylines that may not resonate with everyone, but at its core, this is still the Hollyoaks we know and love. And with Hannah and her team at the helm, I have no doubt that the show will continue to thrive in this new era.
As a long-time fan of Hollyoaks, I can't help but wonder what the future holds for our beloved show. Change is never easy, and even the smallest tweaks to our daily routines can throw us off course. So, it's no surprise that the last few months have been unsettling for fans. With cast and episode cuts, there were valid concerns about the show's longevity.
I'll admit, I was a bit worried myself. As someone who loves both the show and the people behind it, it was painful to see the sudden decimation of the team. These choppy waters - and choppy is definitely an understatement - were difficult for everyone, including the viewers. Taking the helm in this tumultuous time is Hannah Cheers, who has been in the job for only a short while. As a soap or TV producer, it's no easy task to implement decisions and keep the show running smoothly.
But Hollyoaks is no stranger to uncharted territory. As audience behaviors change, Channel 4 has pushed the versatile soap to lead the charge and focus on digital viewing as the future. These drastic changes, while hard to swallow, were a result of thorough audience research. As Hannah explained to me in our chat with Metro, it's a no-brainer that entertainment must adapt to our constantly evolving lives, making it more efficient and accessible.
And the numbers speak for themselves. Hollyoaks has seen a 23% increase in ratings from this time last year, with a huge growth in 16-34 viewing at 45% higher. During the first two weeks of the new schedule, streaming views per episode reached their highest levels this year, with a 58% increase during the stunt week. For the time jump week, views per episode were up by a whopping 66%. Four of the most recent episodes are now in the top ten biggest VOD episodes ever for Hollyoaks.
Even on their YouTube channel, the most viewed playlist of the year was for 'Full Episodes', bringing in over half a million views. Social viewing has also increased by 97% on TikTok, thanks to the powerful and impactful Sibling Sex Abuse storyline, particularly in the 16-24 age group. And since the shift to three episodes a week, there has been a noticeable uplift in viewing on social media platforms.
It's clear that with the increase in viewing figures and social media engagement, the move to digital has been a success for the show. While live viewings may be on a downward trajectory for all TV shows, it doesn't mean that nobody is watching anymore. It just means they're watching differently. Soaps, being a multi-generational form of entertainment, haven't suffered as much as other shows. For example, Coronation Street is still one of the best-rated shows on TV. However, even ITV has jumped on the digital bandwagon, as the future without an online presence or streaming model looks bleak.
With a team that Hannah is extremely proud of, who are just as passionate about Hollyoaks as ever, she couldn't be happier to see the move somewhat vindicated by the statistics. With a smile, she shares, "I am incredibly proud of the entire production for successfully transitioning from five to three episodes a week, and now producing this new format show that the audience is responding to positively and strongly. We achieved the time-jump seamlessly."
For Hannah, this has been the biggest creative challenge in Hollyoaks' 30-year history. Going from 16 storylines to just six or seven was a major engineering feat, but the production team pulled it off beautifully. She also praises Channel 4 for their unwavering support and love for the show, which has given them the freedom to reach new heights.
As a viewer, it's hard to believe that the time-jump was only a couple of months ago. This is now the new Hollyoaks, and it already feels familiar. While there may be some differences in how things are put together, and there will always be storylines that divide fans, at its core, this is still the Hollyoaks we know and love.
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