More than 52million iPlayer requests puts it on a par with Fleabag

BBC Three has hailed This Country as one of its biggest comedies after revealing that episodes have been requested more than 52 million times on iPlayer.

The figure puts the show on a par with Fleabag, which is the channel’s most-requested comedy since going online only in 2016

At present, series one has more than 23 million requests, series two nearly 20 million and series three more than 8 million. Over half the requests for the third and final series come from 16- to 34-year-olds. 

Daisy May and Charlie Cooper’s depiction of life in rural Britain has also performed well in its Monday night slot on BBC One, averaging 1.8 million viewers.

BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell said: ‘Filling the gap left by This Country is not going to be easy, it was a truly unique comedy and these numbers are a rich reward for the whole team involved in the show. 

‘Additionally, it once again proves that there aren’t many places better than BBC Three for growing new comedy and bringing it to wide audiences."

Shane Allen, the BBC’s controller of comedy commissioning, added: ‘This Country has gone from very humble cult origins with two unknown writer-performers to a modern classic sitcom over the course of its run.

‘ We’re forever grateful to Charlie and Daisy for their intimate, affectionate and hilarious portrait of an over-looked part of rural Britain. BBC Three’s track record in bringing brand new talent to national prominence is second to none.’

Published: 2 Apr 2020