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MNN UK · January 28, 2026 · 1 min read

YouTube criticised for withdrawing from UK TV audience measurement

What happened: YouTube has stopped participating in the UK’s Barb audience measurement system and sent legal notices to Barb and its research partner Kantar Media. This move follows months after allowing 200 channels to be monitored.

Why it matters:

  • It disrupts the ability to compare YouTube viewership with traditional TV and streaming platforms like Netflix.
  • TV and advertising industries rely on Barb data for audience insights and advertising decisions.

MNN Take: YouTube’s withdrawal limits transparency in UK TV and streaming audience measurement, affecting how viewership data is collected and used industry-wide.

Sources: Guardian UK