TV Overnights: Criminal Justice secures high of 4.8m viewers

BBC One’s new Criminal Justice series secured the top spot during prime time last night with a high of more than 4.8 million peak viewers.

The second episode of the five-part thriller, starring Maxine Peake, attracted over 4.6 million average viewers and a 19.8% audience share between 9pm and 10pm, putting it well ahead of its rival terrestrial channels during the peak-hour.

It was a close call for the remaining four, which all pulled in more than 2 million viewers.  The last in the series of ITV1’s The Fixer just claimed second place in the ratings war though with 2.8 million viewers.

Channel 4’s final Jamie’s American Road Trip followed with 2.4 million viewers and a 10.4% share, while BBC Two’s new programme, Blitz: The Bombing of Coventry, picked up 2.3 million viewers and a 10% share.

Although, Five’s ever-popular CSI: Miami didn’t come far behind with 2 million average viewers and a respectable 8.8% share.

Earlier on in the evening, BBC One’s Eastenders attracted the overall highest ratings of the night with 8.7 million peak viewers and an impressive 39.9% average audience share.

Tonight’s line-up will see the third episode of BBC One’s Criminal Justice competing with ITV1’s Pride of Britain Awards 2009, which is scheduled for 8pm.

The two-hour annual awards ceremony, hosted by Carol Vorderman, will feature stars such as David Beckham, Michael Caine and Girls Aloud.

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.