Pop Idol Is A Hit For ITV

The final of the much-hyped talent show Pop Idol gained a peak audience of 13.9 million viewers, or 59.4% share of available audience for ITV1, according to unofficial overnights and saw the largest TV talent show telephone response ever, with 8.6 million votes registered. An average audience of 13.1m, or 57% share, watched the 7.10pm programme when the finalists performed three songs each, while an average 11.6m, or 49% share, watched the results being announced at 10.05pm. The audience for the second programme peaked at 12.8m as the winner was named.

Overall ITV1 achieved a peaktime share for the evening of 43%, 19 share points higher than BBC1’s 24% share, and the channel’s highest rating Saturday night for 2 years.

ITV2 was on air between the two ITV1 Pop Idol shows with Pop Idol Extra. Between 9.45pm and 10.45pm the programme averaged 1.5 million and a 13% share and peaked with 2.5 million viewers and a 24% share.

The close run competition saw Will Young beat bookies’ favourite Gareth Gates by only 500,000 votes but both singers have signed recording contracts. Many feel the real beneficiaries of the media circus whipped up by the competition, which resulted in wide-ranging press coverage as the finalists took to election-style “battle buses” last week, will be the record company who signed the artists, BT and of course ITV.

It is thought that another series of the talent show is planned, while its predecessor, Pop Stars is also expected to return later this year. Last week, Hear’Say, the group formed as the result of the first series of Pop Stars, held public auditions to replace one of its members, who had quit after less than a year with the band.

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.co.uk

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