New Tricks banks the top spot with 7m viewers

BBC One’s New Tricks pulled in the highest ratings during the all-important peak hour last night with more than 7 million viewers.

The long-running drama, starring Amanda Redman and Alun Armstrong, attracted 6.7 million average viewers and a impressive 29.6% audience share between 9pm and 10pm, more than double the ratings of its closest terrestrial rival.

Over on ITV1, The Bill struggled to hold on to Coronation Street‘s high of 7.6 million viewers, slipping down to an average of 3 million viewers and a 13.5% share during the prime time slot.

Elsewhere, BBC Two’s comical Mock the Week picked up a respectable 2.4 million average viewers and a 10.8% share, while Channel 4’s new three-part documentary series Benefit Busters kicked-off with 2.2 million viewers.

Meanwhile, The Mentalist with Simon Baker secured more than 2 million average viewers and a 9.1% share for Channel Five.

Earlier on in the evening, ITV1’s soap run banked the peak audience between 7pm and 9pm, with the exception of BBC One’s 30-minute slot for Eastenders.

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.