Old shows a hit on Netflix as data reveals platform's biggest draws

Old shows are a hit on Netflix as data reveals some of the streaming platform’s biggest draws are programmes that have already aired on network TV

Older British TV shows are challenging Netflix’s expensive original series as the streaming giant’s most watched programmes.

The BBC’s 2020 drama The Salisbury Poisonings – about the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire – was one of the most-watched titles over Christmas for UK viewers, according to Netflix data. 

It was in fourth place in the week to December 26 – behind Netflix shows The Witcher and Emily In Paris. 

The BBC’s 2020 drama The Salisbury Poisonings – about the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire – was one of the most-watched titles over Christmas for UK viewers, according to Netflix data

Other figures show ITV’s long-running Downton Abbey has been a big Netflix hit this year. 

Declan Lawn, who co-wrote The Salisbury Poisonings, welcomed its ‘second life’ on Netflix.

The platform has started to release data about its weekly most watched TV shows and films since November. But it also released historical data back until June, earlier this year.

This has revealed that the first four series of Downton Abbey have featured in the top ten shows list eight times since June.

The third series of Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge, which originally broadcast in 2019 also featured earlier this year, as did The Serpent, which previously aired on the BBC.

The Serpent, which was a co-production between the BBC and Netflix, made the list for two weeks in the summer.

Other figures show ITV’s long-running Downton Abbey has been a big Netflix hit this year 

Many will be surprised at the lists given how many opportunities that viewers will have already have had to watch these UK programmes either on TV or on the broadcaster’s own online on-demand services.

It suggests that some viewers now use Netflix as their main way of accessing TV shows and the place where many are discovering shows that have been readily available for months or years elsewhere.

Some episodes of Downton Abbey are more than ten years old and ITV once again aired the series in peak-time last year. The show is also available to watch on subscription service BritBox.

The Serpent and Ackley Bridge can be watched without subscription on BBC iPlayer and All4 respectively.

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