Supervolcano Scores In Ratings But Fails To Top ITV

The BBC’s delayed Supervolcano docu-drama drew more than 7 million viewers last night, according to overnight ratings, as the Corporation’s £2.8 million disaster epic finally screened after being rescheduled following the Asian tsunami disaster.

The drama, billed as a “true story that hasn’t happened yet” was originally intended as the jewel in the crown of the BBC’s winter schedule, chronicling the effects of a massive volcanic eruption (see Disaster Strikes For BBC’s Winter Schedule). However, despite its impressive audience rating, and a 27.2% share, it failed to trump ITV1’s Midsomer Murders, which drew 7.93 million viewers between 9pm and 11pm to secure a share of 34.3%.

ITV also grabbed the top spot of the night, with Coronation Street securing an average of 10.89 million viewers and a share of 24.8%.

The high-profile mini series could provide a glimpse of future programming trends, with the BBC required under its new charter to create more original content and refrain from airing reality shows and copycat shows in attempts to gain higher ratings than commercial rivals (see BBC Reality Cuts Leave Door Open For ITV).

Last week saw BBC chairman, Michael Grade, pledged that the BBC would be a good neighbour to its commercial rivals, acknowledging at the annual ISBA conference that the Corporation had, in the past, encroached on the territories of several commercial competitors (see Grade Promises Neighbourly Relations With Rivals).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk

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