BB7 Becomes Most Watched In History

Friday night’s Big Brother finale drew a peak of 8.2 million people, almost 50% of the viewing share at the time, up from the number that tuned in for 2005’s last episode.

Despite criticism and controversy throughout, BB7 has become the most watched in the programme’s history, with series favourite Pete scooping the £100,000 prize, and Glyn and Aisleyne taking second and third place respectively.

Channel 4 reports that an estimated £1.2 million has been raised for charity through the voting lines, with approximately £257,365 raised from the controversial vote to return ex-housemates to the house (see Complaints Over Returning Big Brother Contestants).

Unofficial overnight viewing figures from BARB have indicated that the 10pm finale show was watched by an average 7.7 million viewers, a 39.2% share of viewers at the time. This is up on last year’s series finale, which averaged 6.7 million viewers and a 34.4% share, and peaked at 7.8 million, and attracted a peak share of 43.4% of available audience.

The 8.00pm show, where Jennie left the house in sixth place, Nikki in fifth and Richard in fourth, attracted an average 6.3 million and a 28.7% share, peaking at 7.4 million and a 33% share.

The 10pm final was the highest rating show of the series, the second highest being the 18 May launch night, which attracted an average of 7.1 million viewers, followed by Grace’s eviction on 16 June, which averaged 6.3 million viewers.