TV Overnights: X Factor finals wins more than 17m viewers
The X Factor final didn’t fail to impress viewers with two evenings of jam-packed celebrity-filled extra-long programmes this weekend.
More than 17.1 million peak viewers tuned in to see Joe win the competition after months of auditions, boot-camp and live shows. The very last show of the series secured 15.4 million average viewers and an impressive 52.8% audience share between 7.30pm and 9.30pm yesterday.
Meanwhile, a lower 13.7 million peak viewers watched Essex-girl Stacey Soloman exit the show on Saturday evening. The second-to-last programme, which featured performances from Michael Buble, Robbie Williams and George Michael, attracted 12.3 million average viewers and a 48% audience share between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.
ITV1’s Susan Boyle story – I Dreamed a Dream – also proved to be a ratings hit this weekend. The one-off programme, well placed after The X Factor finale, told the story of Boyle’s rise to fame following the Britain’s Got Talent competition in April and May this year – another of Simon Cowell’s hit shows.
Boyle came second in the talent show, losing out to the dance group Diversity, but managed to make an impression on the judges, the audience and the US with her unlikely voice. The hour and 15-minute long show, which saw Boyle perform, pulled in more than 10.8 million peak viewers and a 38.7% audience share last night.
However, ITV1’s Cheryl Cole-dedicated programme and coverage of The British Comedy Awards were less well-received after being overshadowed by BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, which is due to finish next weekend.
Strictly finished off BBC One’s peak run on Saturday with a high of more than 8.9 million viewers, before The X Factor started over on ITV1. The dancing competition’s results show won back the peak audience at 9.30pm, attracting a high of 8.1 million viewers.
BBC One also banked the peak audience during prime time on Friday evening. Have I Got News For You started the channel’s peak run at 9pm with over 5.1 million viewers. Live at the Apollo followed with 4.3 million viewers, before BBC News at Ten and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
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.