Grand Return For Grand Designs

The return of Channel 4’s irrepressible property series, Grand Designs, brought more than 4.1 million adult viewers on average to the channel last night.

Host Kevin McCloud was, as always, forthcoming with his criticism of the featured couple and their questionable design – this time for a house largely built underground, which before construction had already drawn 90 complaints from neighbours.

Channel 4 gained a 17.6% viewing share for the show in the 9pm to 10pm timeslot, whilst ITV1’s new drama Honest racked up a 17.5% share with only slightly fewer viewers than for Grand Designs.

Meanwhile, the return of Dr Who spin-off, Torchwood, to BBC Two, was enjoyed by almost 3.5 million adults, netting the station a 14.7% share.

However, it was BBC One’s Match of the Day, featuring Manchester City’s 1-0 win over West Ham in the FA Cup third round replay that lured the most adult viewers in the timeslot.

More than five million tuned in to the game’s coverage between 8pm and 10pm, giving the station a 21.9% audience share over the two hours.

The BBC News at 10pm once again outperformed its ITV1 rival last night, with an audience of almost 4.7 million (22.9%) compared to News At Ten‘s 2.5 million (12.4%).

Jamie Oliver’s Eat To Save Your Life, featuring an autopsy by Professor Gunther von Hagens on a 25 stone man, was endured by almost 2.4 million adults (15.7%) on average between 10pm and 11.30pm.

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, ITV2 and Sky One.

Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com