Best Year in Great Britain – Luminate

The U.S. has always had a soft spot for British TV shows, from Downton Abbey to Dr. Who. And with streaming platforms taking over, how has this affected the UK’s presence? In 2024, there were a whopping 75 UK series premieres on various U.S. digital platforms. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video led the charge, making up almost 70% of the UK content available for American viewers.

One standout was Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, which pulled in over half a million daily views in its first month alone. The show’s captivating characters and gripping storylines drew in fans on both sides of the pond, maintaining strong viewership for its first two months and snagging several Limited Series awards. The last time a UK series made such a splash was in 2021 when The Crown dominated the Drama categories.

But it wasn’t just the big three streamers that shone in 2024. Peacock also had its share of the spotlight with hits like The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which premiered on Sky Atlantic in the UK before simulcasting on Peacock in the U.S. The series garnered over 100,000 daily views in its first week and nabbed two Creative Arts Emmy nominations.

And let’s not forget The Day of the Jackal, a Peacock-released series starring Eddie Redmayne. This show, based on the novel of the same name, outperformed Baby Reindeer in its first week, drawing almost double the viewership. Even with Baby Reindeer on a platform with more subscribers, The Day of the Jackal managed to climb to the second spot on Luminate’s Top 50 TV Shows chart.

Despite a tough time for the entertainment industry worldwide, UK titles are still finding their footing with American audiences. As more networks focus on international content, it’s exciting to see how UK shows will continue to make their mark. And Peacock’s success in 2024 proves that investing in UK series could be a smart move for smaller streamers looking to compete with giants like Netflix.