GB News Claims Victory in TV Ratings Battle: A Turning Point in British Broadcasting
A Milestone Achievement in British Broadcasting
In a significant development for British media, GB News has achieved a historic milestone by overtaking both BBC News channel and Sky News in July 2025, recording an average audience of 80,610 viewers across the day, compared to BBC News Channel’s 78,650 and Sky News’s 67,000.
Current Viewership and Performance
The channel has shown particular strength in key time slots, including breakfast programming and weekday evenings. During breakfast hours (6am-9.30am), presenters including Eamonn Holmes, Stephen Dixon, Ellie Costello, and Anne Diamond attracted nearly 99,000 viewers, surpassing both Sky News and BBC News Channel. Evening programming has proved even more successful, with GB News drawing over 102,000 viewers between 6pm and 11pm on weekdays.
Multi-Platform Growth
GB News has demonstrated strong growth across digital platforms since its launch in June 2021. Its online presence has expanded significantly, with the website and app reaching 10.1 million people in June, showing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. For context, the BBC’s online audience, including entertainment content, stands at 40.4 million, while Sky News reaches 19.6 million.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its growing viewership, GB News faces challenges regarding public trust. Recent data shows that 44% of respondents express distrust in GB News, while 29% indicate trust, resulting in a net trust rating of -15. This places it below other major broadcasters like ITV News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, and Sky News, all of which maintain positive trust ratings.
Financial Outlook
The channel’s financial performance remains a concern, with recent reports showing substantial losses despite revenue growth. In the year ending May 2024, GB News reported a pre-tax loss of £33.4 million, even as its revenue and audience numbers continued to increase.
Future Prospects
GB News management maintains optimism about the channel’s future, emphasizing its role as more than just a news outlet. The network positions itself as a community-focused broadcaster, committed to accurate storytelling and respectful discourse. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, GB News has declared its intention to remain at the forefront of British news coverage.
