‘The BBC feels very samey and boring’: the over-50s preferring YouTube

[ad_1] UK viewers over the age of 55 watched nearly twice as a lot YouTube final 12 months as they did in 2023, with 42% of them watching on a TV, in accordance with a survey by the communications regulator Ofcom.

Right here, six individuals over 50 describe why they like YouTube and the way it compares with the printed TV they grew up with.

‘YouTube may be very private and you are feeling concerned’ YouTube is stuffed with hidden gems and lots of movies are made by abnormal individuals. There’s a lot extra on provide in a single place than different streaming providers or broadcast channels. Additionally, some streaming channels might be troublesome to navigate to seek out what you need. In the intervening time, I’m actually having fun with response movies. One in all my favourites is Regeneration Nation TV the place an American duo react to music, comedians and TV reveals like Fawlty Towers. They’re enjoyable to observe and you are feeling concerned. I additionally suppose it’s useful for many who really feel lonely – it’s nearly just like the individuals in these movies are with you. I used to work as a volunteer for the Samaritans so I can perceive loneliness. I really feel YouTube fills a necessity that different providers don’t. It’s very private and is a spot the place yow will discover something, and sometimes discover what you’re searching for. Lloyd , 62, disabled and unemployed, Kent

‘Terrestrial TV simply feels old style’ YouTube presents a lot content material that aligns with my pursuits and hobbies together with music, pictures, science and film evaluations. To not point out it’s all on demand and far of it's out there in bite-size type (15 to twenty minutes). For dramas and movies, I take advantage of streaming providers. Now in my late 50s, I additionally actually worth YouTube’s treasure trove of stay music performances – there’s all the time one thing new or nostalgic to find. There's simply nothing on conventional TV that comes wherever near the selection and area of interest topics that I can discover on YouTube, like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop tutorials. Whereas I sometimes miss watching stay occasions (ladies’s soccer, or Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral), I don’t really feel I’m lacking out. Steve, 50s, buyer providers supervisor, Gloucestershire

‘I like how quick content material is on YouTube’ I like how quick content material is on YouTube, making it simple to observe one thing when you’re consuming within the kitchen. I want it to different streaming providers for the broad selection of issues to observe. My favorite reveals are when individuals are making one thing out of nothing, whether or not it’s the Nice Pottery Throwdown or Rust Valley the place they do up previous vehicles. I had a TV licence as a result of I didn’t need to have an issue with the authorities considering I watch the tv, despite the fact that I didn’t. I rescinded it just lately, although, as I don’t suppose the BBC makes superb programmes any extra. I’m not involved in their output and it feels very samey and boring. I’m additionally on a state pension and it was troublesome to justify the price. Andrea, 67, retired care employee, Bedfordshire

‘You'll be able to watch something from deep area to quantum concept’ Watching broadcast TV is insanity – having to see one thing at a selected time is mindless. I ended about 20 years in the past when Tivo got here out, and over time not watching TV received simpler as soon as broadband improved and there have been extra streaming providers. YouTube is so a lot better than others as you may watch something from deep area to quantum concept. I like watching actually detailed scientific movies which can be overwhelmingly technical. One channel is PBS Eons, which is in regards to the historical past of life on Earth. I discover that TV is simply too long-winded and the episode recaps make me really feel like I've a reminiscence of a goldfish – it drives me up the wall. Out of politeness, I nonetheless have a TV licence. I’ve heard tales of individuals not having the ability to show they’re not watching TV and being taken to court docket. It’s extra for my peace of thoughts. Stu Smith, 54, IT guide, Ipswich

‘I simply received fed up with terrestrial TV’ I watch YouTube as a result of I can by no means discover something entertaining on terrestrial tv. I actually like to observe journey reveals the place I can sit at residence and really feel I can do issues like climb within the Himalayas, trek in New Zealand or go to superb eating places in numerous nations. Regardless that I sometimes watched sport, I gave up my TV licence two years in the past. I couldn’t abide so-called celebrities or look-at-me sorts who interrupted the programme so that you get to have a look at their faces on a regular basis. I don’t imply to be presenter-bashing, however while you get previous that you must be a bit extra calm in your life, and presenters have a tendency to leap out the TV at you. I simply received fed up with it. Gillian, 73, retired secretary, Stratford-upon-Avon

‘Whether or not you’re studying or enjoyable, YouTube is rather more exact than TV’ I’ve performed in just a few bands and do a whole lot of recording at residence and in 2018 I began watching assist movies for recording with Logic Professional X on YouTube. Then I discovered a whole lot of guitar tutors as I used to be learning for my grade 5 classical, then moved on to utilizing the platform for science and historical past documentaries. Out of the blue I may entry a whole lot of info. I additionally like watching it on the TV because it’s extra comfy than sitting at a desk or utilizing a laptop computer. I discover the flexibility to scroll by way of a mess of matters to seek out one thing that matches my temper a lot better than the choices on TV. YouTube appears to supply the flexibility to immerse and fulfill, whether or not studying or enjoyable, in a way more exact means than TV or different streaming providers. Gerry McCart, 60, works in monetary providers, Edinburgh