TV Overnights: Nearly 13 million see Corrie tram crash

The start of ITV1’s week long celebration of 50th anniversary of Coronation Street got off to a flyer with an average audience of 12.4 million for 8.30pm edition (peaking at 12.8 million).

When ITV1 HD figures are included in the total figures, it is thought that the peak audience will be close to 14.5 million viewers. This is some way off Coronation Street‘s highest ever rating of just under 27 million for the Christmas Day departure of Hilda Ogden back in 1987.

The explosive crash sequence provided by CGI experts The Mill is believed to have cost ITV around £1 million and builds up to the live hour-long edition, to be screened on Thursday night.

It was good night all round for ITV1 with even the repeat showing of Coronation Street: The Historic First Episode pulling in an impressive 6.5 million viewers against Eastenders. The London based soap opera attracted 8.6 million viewers, down from last week’s equivalent figure of 9.6 million.

Elsewhere ITV1’s other big soap Emmerdale managed to attract an average audience of 8.5 million, whilst the reunion show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Coming Out pulled in an impressive 7.1 million viewers.

BBC2’s comedy show Miranda despite being scheduled against Coronation Street, still attracted a healthy audience of 2.5 million. Over on Channel 4 Come Dine with Me: Coronation Street Special grabbed the attention of 2.2 million people.