Hayley’s latest slap in the face bags 8m for ITV
Wednesday night saw the latest series of BBC One’s genealogy soap opera Who Do You Think You Are? come to a close and go out on a high.
The Beeb’s exercise in favouritism continued as producers once again plucked another subject at random from the broadcaster’s internal newsletter. The final episode in the successful 10th series saw BBC world affairs editor John Simpson open up the dusty book of personal tragedy for a fun hour of television.
John has spent his life strutting around thinking he was a direct descendant of some magical flying cowboy from the old west – thankfully the grand finale threw a few surprises his way, almost pushing him to the brink of emoting.
4.1 million viewers tuned in to discover that John’s great-grandmother was indeed acquainted with Samuel F Cody but not in the accepted ‘proper’ way of the day. Scandal translates to WDYTYA? gold and the picking of very old wounds brought in an 18% share and the biggest audience of the 9pm slot.
At the same time on BBC Two, genteel whispering spectre Professor Brian Cox was back for another science lesson with a very patriotic twist. While Science Britannica (9pm) is more subdued that Cox’s recent offerings – light on the wishy washy musings and the many grand helicopter profile shots that wouldn’t look out of place in a Michael Bay film – 1.3 million viewers (a 6% share) caught up with the Professor as he examined Britain’s scientific achievements.
ITV delivered something a little more grotesque in the Wednesday 9pm slot as that guy from Spooks who isn’t Matthew Macfadyen raced to catch the latest murderer slashing their way about Whitechapel.
Between this dark dystopian noir nightmare populated with stranger-than-average serial killers and – worst yet – your average day on EastEnders, East London is seeing all the goodwill from last year’s Olympics being obliterated.
The fourth series has seen a significant ratings fall compared to the last series’ performance back in 2012, which was watched by nearly 6 million viewers.
Last night 3.3 million people tuned in to see Rupert Penry-Jones’ brilliant yet problematic (obviously) detective hunt down a mobster-slaying psychopath who may or may not be a little old lady, with the high quality barm-fest bringing in a 15% share for ITV.
Over on Channel 4, Kevin McCloud finally added a shock twist to the tried and tested Grand Designs (9pm) formula by featuring a couple that weren’t building a monument to their misconstrued ego, but one that needed a unique home out of pure necessity.
2.1 million viewers watched as a disabled marine who served in Afghanistan attempted to build a home that would make his life that much easier. The usual blend of striking ideas, the dreaded compromise and the usual budget woes attracted a 9% share.
An hour earlier on ITV was a dreadfulness significantly worse than war – smiling android Stephen Mulhern was back with another heart-melting episode of Big Star’s Little Star (8pm). This week, it seems ITV staff were forced to drag their spawn into the studio as Kirk from Coronation Street and spray tan enthusiast Chas from Emmerdale made their children promote the commercial broadcaster’s output.
For some mad reason, 3.9 million lapped up the one hour advertisement lamely dressed up as light hearted entertainment, resulting in an 18% share.
Things weren’t much better on BBC One as Anne Robinson and her co-presenting crew of clowns on Watchdog attempted to manipulate the vulnerable viewers into a panic. For an added element of surprise Richard E Grant joined the panel of outraged citizens and slayed a car manufacturer that endangered his daughter.
Being a worldly artiste with many connections is never a bad thing – it must be nice to have platforms to air your grievances when you feel like it. The latest slice of You Know What Really Grinds My Gears? was watched by 3.9 million viewers and an 18% share.
Soap fans were offered some slim pickings last night with only one hour of heightened drama on offer. ITV had the market completely cornered, kicking things off with Emmerdale at 7pm. The snapshot of small town British life secured the day’s second biggest audience with 6.8 million viewers and a 36% share.
But it was the sight of terminally ill trans waitress Hayley Cropper patiently waiting to be reunited with her abusive and estranged son (welcome to soap land) in Coronation Street (ITV, 7:30pm) that won the nation’s attention and scored the biggest audience of the day. 8 million viewers watched as the prodigal son failed to materialise, securing a midweek downer for an audience share of 38%.
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.