Talk of potential tax rises from Chancellor Rachel Reeves drove a surge in Personal Finance and Career content, whilse Education reform proposals also lifted engagement. Guy Fawkes Night and Remembrance Sunday lit up Events & Attractions, and Meghan Markle’s return to acting sent Film soaring. On screen, Celebrity Traitors wrapped with a bang, boosting Reality TV and early Black Friday deals boosted Shopping content.
Topical News
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has alluded to exploring the option of raising taxes, despite manifesto pledges from the Labour Government not to do so. Brits have turned to publishers to find out more about the potential tax raids, boosting the Personal Finance category by 35%, with surges in Personal Taxes (up 74%), Home Financing (up 28%) and Retirement Planning (up 36%).
These announcements have also contributed to growth in the Careers category, up 20%, with Job Fairs skyrocketing 2.5x and Retirement up 52% as audiences dig into how these changes could impact working life.
Furthermore, the Labour Government has announced reforms on education, including cutting hours spent in exams and changing learning curriculums. Parents have flocked to Education content (up 29%), contributing to a huge 2.9x boost in Primary Education content and a 69% surge in Early Childhood Education, as well as a 42% uplift in Educational Assessment page views.
Meanwhile, senior resignations in the BBC last week have contributed to a 21% uplift in News & Politics content.
Elsewhere, Meghan Markle’s shock return to acting has contributed to a impressive 4.1x surge in Film page views as readers catch up on what may have sparked this decision, and details of the film itself. World Films and Romance Films have both increased twofold.
Seasonal Events
Guy Fawkes Night last week sparked increased engagement with Outdoor Activities (Events & Attractions), up 2.1x, as readers looked for fireworks events taking place across the country . Remembrance Sunday further contributed to this boost, as King Charles led the commemorations in London, with subsection Historic Site & Landmarks Tours increasing 3.9x as Brits recapped on the occasion.
In other news, Brits across the country held their breath last week as Celebrity Traitors came to a thrilling close, uplifting Television by 28% as readers caught up on the fallout of the final. Reality TV has seen a 40% boost, and Special Interest TV a 2.8x surge, further perpetuated by the announcement of the I’m a Celebrity line up. With the festive season in full swing, Christmas TV has jingled up 2.1x.
With the start of the festive season also comes the onset of colder, wetter weather – flu season is upon us. Medical Health has uplifted 60% as readers look to ways to keep healthy with subtopic Vaccines up 60% WoW.
And with Black Friday rapidly approaching, Shopping content is up 13% as many brands opt to start sales early, driving readers to Sales & Promotions content (up 21%) as they look for the best early deals.
Elsewhere, the Rugby Autumn Internationals are kicking up engagement for Rugby content, up 18% WoW, following Wales’ record defeat to Argentina on Sunday.
