BBC Scores With Football Coverage
BBC1 scored a ratings victory last night with almost 11 million viewers tuning in to watch England’s 2-0 defeat of Liechtenstein.
According to unofficial overnight figures from BARB, viewing peaked at 10.9 million, with an average of 10.3 million watching between 7.30 and 10pm.
The success of the match hit viewing over at ITV1, where The Bill drew an average of 4.9 million during the key 8pm to 9pm viewing slot.
Meanwhile, just under 2 million viewers watched the much-hyped reality style sports show, The Game over on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The BBC announced today that Radio Five Live has secured exclusive, live coverage of every single home nation match in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which starts next month in Australia.
Commenting on the deal, Bob Shennan, controller of Radio Five Live said: “The Rugby World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the tournament’s history. The timing is made for a radio audience and we have assembled an outstanding team of Rugby Union legends to bring it to them, with the voice of rugby commentary Ian Robertson to lead our coverage.”
However, sport is not always a hit for the BBC and lack of interest in BBC1’s extensive coverage of the recent World Athletics Championships caused the channel to experience its worst ever share of viewing at peaktime (see Viewers Run From BBC’s World Athletics Coverage).
BBC: 020 8743 8000www.bbc.co.uk
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