Dorset's Tank Museum breaks YouTube world record
It's the first museum around the globe to reach 100 million views
Dorset's Tank Museum has become a world leader, when it comes to their social media.
They've become the first museum in the world to reach a total of 100 million views, and just days later also welcomed its 500,000th subscriber.
The Bovington attraction has the top YouTube channel of any museum on the globe.
Head of Marketing Nik Wyness said:
“As a rural regimental Museum, we see YouTube as an essential means of reaching a wider audience – helping us to fulfil our mission to tell the story of the tank and the people that served in them.”
The channel holds over 400 videos; covering the history of the vehicles in the Museum, mini-documentaries, action from events and videos featuring well known tank enthusiasts such as Comedian Al Murray and Historian James Holland.
Museum Curator David Willey said:
“The benefits of growing this online community became fully apparent during the pandemic, when they became an essential source of support during a very difficult time.
“As a charity in a relatively remote location, it’s important that we are always looking to find new ways to reach new audiences and potential supporters to ensure our sustainability.
“YouTube has allowed us reach a global audience of tank enthusiasts – and it’s as a direct result of this that we are now generating over ¼ of our annual turnover from non-visitors."
The Tank Museum’s 2020 TANKFEST live stream was watched by over 1 million people worldwide and raised almost £100,000 alone for the museum's upkeep.
The attraction's TikTok has also achieved more than 55 million views.
The Museum’s YouTube channel has had support from large funding bodies like the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Arts Council to grow its reach.