ITV’s Winning Run Crushes BBC Audiences

Last night saw ITV crush its terrestrial rivals, with ratings consistently higher than main rival BBC One, which at times saw ITV more than double its audiences with a run of prime time entertainment shows.

ITV’s evening got off to a flying start with a double bill of soap, as an average of 6.8 million adults tuned in to Emmerdale, followed by 9.5 million for Coronation Street. In comparison BBC One’s The Story of God drew just 4 million in the competing time slot.

ITV’s family favourite Heartbeat followed, drawing an average of 8 million to bring down BBC One’s Rocket Man, which drew 3.8 million.

The final blow of the evening was dealt by ITV’s jungle survival show I’m A Celebrity… drawing 9.4 million adults and securing a 40.8% share against BBC One’s Egypt and the first half of Panorama, with audiences of 4.3 million and 2.9 million respectively.

Elsewhere, BBC Two’s new series of motoring show Top Gear drew an average of 4.2 million, while Channel 4 saw success with a repeat of The Unseen Eric Morecambe – notching up an audience of 2.1 million.

Five’s highlight of the evening came with comic action film, I Spy, drawing an audience of 1.7 million despite competition from ITV’s I’m A Celebrity.

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.

BARB: www.barb.co.uk