Older and wealthier viewers are losing love with the BBC as its general audience continues to decline

The BBC's reach is decreasing among these loyal groups, and the older public in particular

The British spend an average of two hours and 22 minutes a day watching, listening to and reading BBC news and entertainment programmes - less than three years ago

The British spent an average of two hours and 22 minutes a day on the national broadcaster's digital television, radio and digital services last year, 19 minutes down since 2017. The middle class and older people have been the BBC's most dedicated audience, but even they are beginning to drift apart, according to Ofcom media regulator.

The proportion of those over 55 with a positive BBC impression fell from 64 per cent to 62 per cent in two years, while the firm's reach among the highest socioeconomic households fell from 96 per cent to 92 per cent.