The UK’s Most Popular Streaming Sites

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out research that discovered the UK’s most popular streaming sites, and what makes them so successful.

The world of streaming has exploded in recent years, offering viewers an unprecedented choice of entertainment at their fingertips. But with so many platforms vying for our attention, it can be hard to know which ones are truly dominating the UK market.

We’ve delved into the data from SEO agency Digital Climax to uncover the most popular streaming sites in the UK and analyzed what sets them apart. They analysed annual web traffic data to find the UK’s most popular entertainment websites over the past year based on the number of visits they received each month. Using SEMrush, they compiled a list of the country’s twenty most visited entertainment websites, and then used Ahrefs to find the estimated number of UK visitors throughout 2023. From binge-worthy box sets to blockbuster movies, we’ll explore the factors driving their success and how they’re shaping the future of entertainment.

It is no secret that the British public enjoys sitting down to watch television most nights. In fact, Brits spend an average of 260 minutes per day watching content across multiple platforms, according to a monthly viewing summary from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board.

This has rapidly expanded to the wider offerings available via online platforms in recent years, which can be seen with the top three entertainment websites in the UK revealed to be streaming services. 

However, it should be noted that although Amazon took first place, this also includes any visits for their online shopping as well as their entertainment offerings.

It would be valuable to keep an eye on these figures to see which platforms keep growing in popularity each year and the types of entertainment that the British public prefer to consume online.

-Axl Van Steenacker, SEO specialist and founder of Digital Climax

The UK’s Most Popular Streaming Sites

Amazon

A recent study has crowned Amazon as the undisputed king of UK entertainment websites in 2023. With a staggering 1.4 billion total visits in the past year, the e-commerce giant has solidified its position as a streaming powerhouse. Offering a diverse range of entertainment options, including film, television, and music, alongside its core shopping services, Amazon has become a one-stop shop for millions of British consumers.

The platform’s popularity peaked in July, with a remarkable 130 million visits, highlighting its ability to capture the nation’s attention. This surge in traffic underscores Amazon’s success in positioning itself as a go-to destination for entertainment, not just shopping.

Included in the Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video offers a compelling value proposition. With access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content, coupled with other Prime benefits like fast shipping and music streaming, it’s a package deal that’s hard to resist.

Amazon has invested heavily in producing high-quality original content, including award-winning series and films. This strategy has paid off, attracting a loyal fanbase and competing directly with other streaming giants like Netflix.

Amazon’s ability to seamlessly integrate its streaming service with its core e-commerce platform enhances user experience. This integration creates a convenient ecosystem where customers can shop, watch, and listen all in one place.

Sky

Sky, the UK’s long-standing pay-TV broadcaster, maintains a strong position in the streaming landscape, securing the second spot in terms of total website visits in 2023 with approximately 196 million. While its peak popularity was in February with 17.7 million visits, it consistently averages around 16.1 million monthly visits.

Sky has invested in innovative technologies like Sky Q and Sky Glass, providing enhanced viewing experiences and features. As a well-established brand with a long history in British households, Sky benefits from strong brand recognition and loyalty.

Sky holds exclusive rights to broadcast major sporting events, particularly football (soccer), attracting a significant audience. Sky offers a diverse range of channels and on-demand content, catering to various interests and demographics.

Netflix

Netflix took third place with 119.9 million visits in 2023. The subscription- based streaming service was most popular in January, receiving around 11.1 million visits, and garnering an average of 9.9 million visits each month.

As a pioneer in the streaming industry, Netflix has cultivated a strong brand identity and a loyal customer base. Netflix has invested heavily in creating exclusive, high-quality original content, including critically acclaimed series and films. This strategy has set it apart from competitors and attracted a wide range of viewers.

Netflix has successfully expanded its reach to numerous countries, tailoring content recommendations and offerings to local audiences. This localization strategy has contributed to its global success. Netflix is renowned for its user-friendly interface, personalized recommendations, and binge-watching capabilities, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The Daily Express

The Daily Express came fourth with around 103.8 million visits throughout 2023. It had the most hits in January 2023, with 11.1 million visits, and receives an average of 8.6 million web visits per month. The digital platform of the Daily Express and Sunday Express, has online access to global news stories and additional entertainment like puzzles and games.  

Radio Times

Radio Times ranked fifth with approximately 73.4 million visits in 2023. Known for its television and radio programme schedules, the website had the most visits in January 2023, with 6.9 million total visits, and receives an average of 6.1 million visits per month. Radio Times also provides film, TV, and entertainment news and interviews with many of the biggest stars. 

Top 20 Entertainment websites across the UK in 2023:

Rank	Website	Average number of monthly web visits	Average number of web visits in 2023
1.	amazon.co.uk	116,956,102	1,403,473,223
2.	sky.com	16,340,298	196,083,572
3.	netflix.com	9,997,340	119,968,075
4.	express.co.uk	8,656,844	103,882,127
5.	radiotimes.com	6,118,725	73,424,698
6.	itv.com	4,705,334	56,464,008
7.	rottentomatoes.com	4,259,409	51,112,902
8.	spotify.com	3,789,122	45,469,468
9.	digitalspy.com	2,267,224	27,206,685
10.	genius.com	2,203,597	26,443,158
11.	ticketmaster.co.uk	2,140,422	25,685,066
12.	msn.com	2,091,649	25,099,788
13.	disneyplus.com	1,800,360	21,604,325
14.	screenrant.com	1,292,552	15,510,623
15.	bing.com	1,055,512	12,666,146
16.	gamerant.com	913,167	10,958,006
17.	deviantart.com	715,505	8,586,058
18.	dailymotion.com	560,322	6,723,865
19.	gamespot.com	416,2167	4,994,598
20.	movies7.to	29,563	354,754