TV Overnights: Sunday night’s X Factor hits a high of 14.5m viewers

Sunday night’s controversial X Factor decision show attracted an impressive high of more than 14.5 million viewers in its final 15 minute slot between 8.45pm and 9pm.

The second of this weekend’s episodes secured over 13.3 million average viewers and a 45.9% share during the full 75-minute slot for ITV1, before the channel’s new drama Downton Abbey pulled in 9.4 million peak viewers and a 32.2% average share during the 9pm to 10pm peak-hour.

ITV1 also had a ratings-winning Saturday night – The X Factor, which saw the final hopefuls perform for the last time to try and bank a place in the live shows, picked up more than 11.2 million average viewers and a 44.7% share between 7.05pm and 9pm.

When Piers Met Lord Sugar followed with over 5.4 million peak viewers and a 21.5% share between 9pm and 10.15pm, which was enough to secure the top ratings for the majority of the peak-hour.

However, on Friday evening, BBC One dominated the top spot with a one-off Strictly Come Dancing. The hour-long show attracted a high of almost nine million viewers and a 36.9% average audience share between 9pm and 10pm.

On Saturday, the second episode of the popular celebrity dancing contest pulled in more than 9.7 million peak viewers and a 44.5% average share before The X Factor started on ITV1.

BBC One also did well with its daytime schedule this weekend. On Saturday, the channel banked a peak run from early in the morning until 2pm, while viewers stuck with BBC One on Sunday to watch The Politics Show, the Eastenders omnibus and coverage of the Commonwealth Games.

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.