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BBC iPlayer sees 3.3 billion streams in first half of 2021

Line of Duty, EastEnders and Euro 2020 have helped the BBC's streaming service break records

BBC iPlayer has seen a record-breaking first half of 2021, driven by viewers watching Euro 2020, Line of Duty and EastEnders.

According to the BBC, programmes were streamed over 3.3 billion times between January and June 2021, up 8 per cent on the same period last year, and 59 per cent on the same period in 2019.

The second half of the year has also begun well, with the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy setting a new live viewing record on iPlayer, with 5.8 million streams.

So far in 2021, Line of Duty has become the biggest single episode of the year, as the first episode of the sixth series was streamed 8.7 million times – also more than any single episode across the whole of last year.

Dan McGolpin, director, BBC iPlayer and channels, said: “There’s been a step-change in the popularity of BBC iPlayer over the last two years and during the first half of 2021 we’ve seen further growth including some incredible numbers for Line of Duty, the best half-year on record for EastEnders and a spectacular performance for Euro 2020.

“It’s also fantastic to see so many brand new series attracting large audiences with The Serpent, Time, Bloodlands, The Pact and A Perfect Planet all featuring episodes in the iPlayer top ten.”