GB News has overtaken Sky News in live TV viewing figures for the first time, according to data from the ratings agency Barb. The right-leaning broadcaster averaged 70,430 live viewers in November between 6am and 2am, compared with Sky News's 67,670 over the same period.
The surge in viewership coincided with the farmers' protest in London on 19 November, when GB News secured 90,000 average live views. The following day, it aired an exclusive interview with Eric Trump, son of US President-elect Donald Trump, which also boosted ratings.
Mick Booker, editorial director of GB News, said: 'GB News isn't just a broadcaster. It's a community that is getting bigger every day. People trust us to tell their stories, and the day-to-day story of Britain, openly and honestly with free and respectful speech.'
However, the channel has frequently clashed with Ofcom, the broadcast regulator, which has found it in breach of impartiality rules 12 times since its launch in 2021. In October, Ofcom fined GB News £100,000 over a programme featuring former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, describing the breach as serious.
GB News described the ruling as a 'direct attack on free speech and journalism' and has been granted permission to seek a judicial review. The channel has also breached rules by allowing sitting Conservative MPs to present news programmes.
