Why does Eastenders appeal to the internet generation?

Eastenders is a long running show that has risen in popularity over the last 25 years, culminating in an estimated audience of 16 million people. In addition to this, the episode has been easily accessible to an even larger audience through BBC iPlayer. I think that one of the main reasons that the show is so popular is that the ease of access has increased dramatically in the last 4 or 5 years, with anyone that has a computer now able to watch TV shows on demand, despite this not being their original platform for viewing.

Eastenders tries to deal with topical issues in its episodes and this means that it has an attraction to both long time viewers and to younger viewers who are interested in the changing world and how to deal with it. Because of the longevity of the show, the audience is a good mix of older and younger viewers.

The main media platform is now the internet. Every successful franchise and series has its own website that offers an abundance of extras and special features, and Eastenders is no exception. It offers alternative endings, interviews with the cast and many more exclusive features. This enables the internet generation to have a much more intimate experience with the show than previously possible.

Having the website available at anytime also enables the episodes to gain a large audience. The BBC iPlayer is integrated into all BBC websites, and this integration allows catchup services to be available for anyone with an internet connection.

The iPlayer has also been endorsed by Virgin Media which further enables the episodes to be watched by a wider audience-now in the comfort of their own sofas. This widespread and readily available medium is the main reason that Eastenders appeals so much to the internet generation.