Overnights: BBC One steals the show with a peak-run

BBC One stole the show last night with a peak-run of flagship programmes from 7.30pm onwards, hitting a high of more than 6.8 million viewers.

Eastenders kicked-off the channel’s run of top ratings with an impressive 6.8 million peak viewers, ahead of its ITV1 rival soap Emmerdale, which pulled in a high of 5.2 million.

BBC One’s long-running hospital drama Holby City followed Eastenders with over 5.5 million peak viewers, securing a 27.3% average audience share between 8pm and 9pm.

Meanwhile, Crimewatch filled the channel’s all-important 9pm to 10pm peak-hour slot, attracting more than 4.7 million peak viewers and a 20.8% share, which put it a fair way ahead of its nearest terrestrial rivals.

The first in ITV1’s new Ladette to Lady series, with eight brash Australian girls, picked up a high of 2.7 million viewers (and a 12.4% average share) – making it BBC One’s closest competitor during the peak-hour.

However, BBC Two’s new three-part Mary, Queen of Charity Shops, came a close second with an equal 2.7 million peak viewers, but fell down slightly overall with a 12.2% average share.

Five’s CSI: Crime Scene also proved popular with a high of more than 2.4 million viewers, while Channel 4’s new four-part series I’m Running Sainsbury’s attracted 1.6 million between 9pm and 10pm.

Later on in the evening, BBC One ended its peak run with over 5.4 million average viewers tuning in for BBC News at Ten, followed by a further 1.5 million for its film Greenfingers.

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.