Sitcom a hit on iPlayer

Peter Kay’s Car Share has broken records on the BBC iPlayer.

The comic’s first sitcom in more than a decade was available exclusively on demand over the past five days.

During that time, it received 2.8million requests, making it the most successful series to premiere on the service as a box-set.

Episode one – which will have its broadcast premiere on BBC One at 9.30pm tonight – racked up more than a million requests alone. Episode two will air at 9.30pm tomorrow.

Kay said: ‘I’ve been blown away by the response so far. How could I not be? Here’s hoping the success continues and people enjoy the series on BBC One.’

Shane Allen, the BBC’s controller of comedy commissioning, added: ‘This is a phenomenal reaction which shows how excited audiences are to see Peter in his first scripted comedy for the BBC. We’re so proud of the show, and it’s heartening that comedy does so well in the new on-demand world.

‘All credit to Peter for his innovative approach with this series launch which hopefully gives it a following wind for the primetime launch on BBC One tonight.’

Peter Kay’s Car Share is part of BBC iPlayer’s trial to premiere 40 hours of BBC content online first.

The success of Car Share follows a record-breaking year for the iPlayer, which received 3.5billion requests for TV and radio programmes in 2014.

Click here to read our review of Peter Kay's Car Share.

Published: 29 Apr 2015