London – A new survey of UK residents finds that livestreaming has become one of the UK’s most valued and socially engaging forms of digital media, worth more than £17 billion (US$23 billion) annually to UK residents.
This follows a recent consultation where Ofcom asked industry for evidence on the benefits of livestreaming to over- and under-18s. The new research, conducted by Public First and commissioned by CCIA, surveyed both age groups to understand why people engage with livestreaming and the benefits they experience. The results highlight livestreaming’s unique role in building community, supporting learning, and fostering connection, particularly through interactive features such as live chat.
The research also suggests that users value these benefits highly: Adults would need to be paid more than £300 (US$400) annually to give up livestreaming; for 11–17s, the amount is £100 (US$133). About 90% of the total value that respondents assigned to live streaming came from interactive and community features such as chat and reactions. These findings are particularly noteworthy as Ofcom considers new safety measures that could restrict livestreaming interactions for under-18s.
The following can be attributed to Matthew Sinclair, CCIA UK’s Senior Director:
“For millions of Britons, livestreaming is a fun way to learn new skills, connect with people who share their interests and engage in a more meaningful way with creators they follow. This new survey shows that community and interactivity are key to the enormous value that livestreaming creates for audiences and creators alike in the UK.
Responsible companies invest heavily in promoting online safety. Regulators should tread carefully to avoid undermining the communities people have built around livestream, frustrating free expression and impeding innovation in this thriving sector.”
