The National Viewing Study
About the study
Why take part?
By taking part, you will help shape the content and services that millions of viewers watch. The information you provide will be used to build a clear picture of how the UK population can access TV content in their own homes. The information you provide is used to build an accurate picture of how households across the UK access and watch television programmes. This helps us understand viewing habits and how they are changing, including the development of new ways to watch programmes and video content.
NatCen is carrying out the study on behalf of Barb Audiences. Barb has been the official source of TV viewing and streaming figures in the UK since 1981. The National Viewing Study is also sometimes called the Barb Establishment Survey.
Frequently asked questions
What will you ask me about?
We will ask you about the television and video services in your home, the devices you use to watch TV programmes, and the people who live with you. This helps us to ensure that the Barb TV Viewing Panel remains representative of the UK.
If you’re eligible, the interviewer will also ask whether you would like to join the Barb National TV Viewing Panel. The National TV Viewing Panel is made up of households that help measure what people watch on TV and streaming services. This information helps broadcasters and streamers understand their audiences.
What will it involve?
Interviewer Visit
One of our NatCen interviewers will visit your address to explain the study in more detail. To help you recognise them, all our interviewers carry a NatCen photo ID card.
The interview
The interviewer will guide you through a short questionnaire. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete with an interviewer. You can choose the method that suits you best, at a time that suits you: an interview on your doorstep or inside your home.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Taking part is voluntary, and you don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to; you can ask the interviewer to move on to the next one.
Protecting your information:
We will treat the information you give us in the strictest confidence in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The data collected are used for research purposes only and will not identify you. Your answers will only be used in combination with the answers from thousands of other people. Your name and contact details will be stored securely. You will never receive any junk mail as a result of speaking to us.
Privacy notice
To read more about why and how the personal data (also called personal information) you provide is being used, visit the privacy notice
Why you are important to us
Your address has been selected at random from the Postcode Address File. This is a list of every address in the UK, held by the Royal Mail and available to the public. We select addresses at random to get a truly representative picture.
We need to speak to everyone
It is important that the study represents the views of everyone living in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. We need to speak to people from all regions, age groups and walks of life, including people who watch a lot of TV, a little, or none at all.
Who is carrying out the research?
NatCen Social Research is the UK’s leading independent social research agency. We’re proud to have been carrying out research on behalf of government, charities and other organisations for over 50 years. NatCen is a non-profit organisation completely independent of government departments and political parties.
The study is funded by Barb Audiences Ltd. Barb is a not-for-profit organisation and has been the official source of TV viewing and streaming figures in the UK since 1981.
Where can I find out more?
Your interviewer will be happy to answer any questions, or you can get in touch with us by email at ViewingUK@natcen.ac.uk or by calling us for free on 0800 652 0201.