TV Overnights: Strictly returns with a high of 8.5m viewers

BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing returned to the weekend line-up with a peak audience of 8.5 million viewers.

The first show, on Friday night, attracted a high of 8.2 million viewers, while Saturday’s performances won more than 8.5 million peak viewers.

The popular programme aired before ITV’s The X Factor to avoid a ratings war. On Saturday, the first of two X Factors pulled in 9.5 million peak viewers. However, ITV1’s top ratings came on Sunday night with the second show, which hit a high of more than 11.7 million viewers.

ITV1 also enjoyed top ratings for Downton Abbey, which banked 8.9 million peak viewers between 9pm and 10pm last night.

And in the morning slots, ITV1’s Rugby World Cup coverage ensured it secured the peak audience, with almost five million peak viewers tuning in for the England v Scotland match.

However, BBC One dominated the majority of the day-time schedule with popular shows Football Focus, Final Score and Doctor Who. On Sunday, it was more of an even divide with ITV1’s Saturday night X Factor repeat proving popular – though Countryfile and Songs of Praise still attracted the peak ratings.

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.