Bear v Bear: ITV’s Mission Survive finale fails to beat C4’s The Island
Thursday night saw the sixth episode of urine-downing adventure show Bear Grylls: Mission Survive bring the second series to an end, with some good and bad news for its hard-working presenter.
The finale saw three remaining random celebs competitively crawling and climbing their way to glory, and while the second run opened with 2.9 million viewers a few weeks back, yesterday’s wrap-up saw a noticeable drop in audience.
Thankfully, yesterday’s closing episode didn’t involve any piss drinking or colonic hydration tactics, with 2.1 million viewers and a 10% share tuning in – slightly less that the 2.2 million that watched Channel 4’s The Island with Bear Grylls on Monday night.
Meanwhile BBC One claimed the 9pm spot with light magazine show How to Stay Young which featured Angela Rippon and one of those interchangeable van Tulleken brothers delving into prosthetics and snake oil remedies to educate and inform the nation about the vain battle against ageing.
[advert position=”left”]An audience of 4 million viewers watched as Chris van Tulleken aged himself up from 37 to 80 with the aid of Hollywood make-up, while Angela Rippon attempted to convince people that freestyle dancing was better that a trip to the gym.
The easy-viewing, family-friendly fun secured an 18% share for BBC One.
Over on BBC Two, the third series of quality corruption drama Line of Duty (9pm) continued in its usual fierce fashion, with the tour through the latest twists, turns and psychological minefields bagging 3.4 million viewers and a 15% share.
Following in the footsteps of recent outings such as Royal Navy School, SAS: Who Dares Wins and Royal Marine Commando School, last night saw Channel 4 launch its latest addition to recruitment propaganda machine with British Army Girls (9pm).
1.1 million viewers watched a fresh group of recruits sign up for an intense 14 weeks of training, resulting in a 5% share.
At the same time was Channel 5’s version of 24 Hours in A&E – but at least Trauma Doctors: Every Second Counts (9pm) had a super cool helicopter and roof top landing pad, helping to secure 978,000 viewers and a 5% share.
At 8pm, the latest instalment of omnipresent MasterChef (BBC One) was watched by 4.7 million viewers, while enlightening welfare doc Workers or Shirkers? Ian Hislop’s Victorian Benefits (8pm) on BBC Two netted 1.7 million viewers.
There was more rage fuel on offer over on Channel 4, with the first episode of Millionaires’ Mansions: Designing Britain’s Most Exclusive Homes (8pm) doing exactly what it says on the tin. 1.2 million viewers watched as the filthy rich had all their dreams realised with the commissioning of some outlandish furniture, resulting in a 6% share.
At the same time Channel 5 didn’t disappoint with My Face Won’t Stop Growing… and Other Medical Mysteries at 8pm, with the gawp-fest netting 649,000 viewers and a 3% share.
It was time to say goodbye to the staff of The Cruise at 8:30pm on ITV, with the sixth and final episode dealing with matters of the heart securing 2.8 million viewers and a 13% share.
A double trip to Emmerdale helped bolster ITV’s fortunes earlier in the day with the 7pm outing netting 5.6 million viewers and a 31% share, while the 8pm episode saw viewers fall to 5.2 million, resulting in a 31% share.
BBC One’s EastEnders took the day’s top spot at 7:30pm, with scenes of Ronnie Mitchell’s life becoming even more rubbish helping bag 5.7 million viewers and a 30% share.
Overnight data is available each morning in mediatel.co.uk’s TV Database, with all BARB registered subscribers able to view reports for terrestrial networks and key multi-channel stations. Overnight data supplied by TRP are based on 15 minute slot averages. This may differ from tape checked figures, which are based on a programme’s actual start and end time.
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