Overnights: New Tricks kicks off with over 8m viewers

BBC One’s popular New Tricks returned with a high of 8.1 million viewers during the all-important peak hour last night.

The first episode of the new eight-part detective series, starring Alun Armstrong and Amanda Redman, attracted more than 8 million average viewers and a 34.1% share between 9pm and 10pm, putting BBC One well ahead in the prime time ratings war.

Meanwhile, ITV1 aired Martin Bashir’s well known 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson, A Tonight Special, following the recent death of the Thriller star.

The hour-long programme pulled in a high of 4.1 million viewers in the final fifteen minutes but settled on an average of 3.6 million throughout the 9pm to 10pm slot, securing a respectable 15.4% audience share for ITV1.

At the same time, BBC Two’s popular comedy news quiz, Mock the Week, with Frankie Boyle, Hugh Dennis and Russell Howard, picked up an impressive 2.4 million average viewers and a 10.3% share.

Five’s The Mentalist managed to pip Channel 4’s Gerry’s Big Decision to fourth place with 1.6 million average viewers compared to C4’s 1.4 million.

Earlier on in the evening, BBC One’s Eastenders banked the top soap spot with over 7.7 million peak viewers and a high 37.9% audience share between 7.30pm and 8pm.

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.