Peaky Blinders moves to BBC 1 as channel aims at younger viewers

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore revealed at Edinburgh’s International TV festival that Peaky Blinders will move from BBC Two to its flagship channel in part to attract younger audiences.

While Moore said that BBC One is “the biggest channel” in terms of reach for 16-34 year-olds, it also has to make sure that it becomes a habit for a young audience.

Moving Peaky Blinders over to the flagship channel will be in part to maintain these viewers. Moore said: “The last series was absolute cult viewing for younger audiences.

“When a show pops like that it feels like the right moment to say – let’s put it on the biggest channel in the country.”

She added that the move is “a real signal to younger audiences that BBC One is the channel for them.”

While the channel is facing increased competition from FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) players, Moore said she is excited by the increased competition and just has to make it really clear what makes something a BBC programme.

“Everyone in television knows that the choice out there for young people has never been greater and the call on their time is more in competition than it’s ever been,” she said.