Show gets boost from BBC iPlayer

More than 250,000 requests to watch the BBC Three comedy were made on the ‘on-demand’ technology in the week following its Bafta.

Although BBC Three is a relatively niche channel, six of April’s top 20 shows were from its schedules – perhaps reflecting its relatively young viewers.

Gavin and Stacey won the audience vote on April 19, with James Corden also picking up a comedy acting prize.

The total number of requests for downloads and streams of BBC programmes in April was 21 million, up 20 per cent from 17.2 million in March and representing 700,000 a day.

The BBC has not published a full top 20 for the month, but said that Doctor Who and The Apprentice dominated the chart.

Programmes outside of the top 20 account for more than a quarter of total consumption.

Published: 20 May 2008