David Farnor | On 20, Jun 2016

BBC broke its own live-streaming record with the England vs. Wales match last week.

When it comes to online video, it’s easy to focus on catch-up and on-demand viewing, but live video is a crucial part of any broadcaster’s digital presence. Facebook and YouTube are increasingly focusing on building audiences for live events, from E3 to Q&As and interviews. On ITV Hub, meanwhile, live-streaming actually accounts for over 30 per cent of its activity on PC and mobile devices.

During a summer of sport that sees the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Wimbledon and Euro 2016 all taking place, live audiences are more active than ever, helping to push the Beeb to a record level of streaming: on Thursday, BBC Online attracted record-breaking digital figures for the home nations football clash, with 2.3m unique browsers watching online, while a peak audience of 9.3m million people (73 per cent share) tuned in on BBC One.

An all-time high audience of 14.6m unique global browsers visited the BBC Sport website on Thursday to follow coverage of Euro 2016, including Northern Ireland’s match against Ukraine. It is no surprise, perhaps, that sport was also responsible for the previous record set by the BBC, when 13.6m browsers tuned in on the final day of the 2015-16 Premier League season.

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, says: “We are delighted that the BBC’s digital offering again allowed so many people to share in this huge game. Our enhanced service, in addition to our first class TV and radio coverage, puts audiences at the very heart of the Euro 2016 action wherever they are, allowing them to follow the action however they wish. The BBC has pioneered live digital event coverage from London 2012 Olympics to Glastonbury, and our record-breaking figures highlight its increasing importance to audiences.”

Euro 2016 coverage on the BBC continues across TV, radio and online until 10th July.

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