TV Overnights: 7.6m flock to ITV1 to see violence against Tyrone
Fresh from the awards show on Wednesday, last night was dominated with soap drama. With only twelve short months until the next prestigious event everyone had their eyes on the prize. The first episode of Emmerdale (ITV1) kicked things off at 7pm. Zak Dingle got some good news from the doctor but thought it best to milk the drama for a little longer.
6.7 million people tuned in to see Cameron going for another round of immoral heavy petting with Carla Connor knock-off Chas, with their untamed desire showing no signs of letting up. The first episode managed a 33% audience share.
EastEnders (7:30pm) followed, securing BBC One’s biggest audience of the day. Ian Beale’s financial troubles continued, putting his honeymoon cruise in jeopardy. He shouldn’t fret too much as Mandy’s lot in life is to put their relationship in danger on a daily basis. Last night 7 million viewers (a 33% share) watched as she sneaked off to the hospital to see her mother, avoiding the wrath of her beloved.
It was back to the Dales at 8pm and Zak continued to dig himself a hole. Pretending you’re unwell is one thing but he’s going to have to use all of his imagination to pull off a terminal illness. The second episode of Emmerdale attracted less of an audience than the first but pulled in 6.5 million viewers.
Coronation Street (ITV, 8:30pm) once again proved to be the nation’s favourite soap, capturing the biggest audience of Thursday night. Although EastEnders walked away with the best soap award, Coronation Street was the most popular programme last night, pulling in 7.6 million viewers. Despite helping the community and putting an end to Terry’s strip club plans, Kirsty sacrificed her police career by illegally obtaining the vital documents.
Possibly having watched too much Emmerdale, Kirsty turned to domestic violence to vent her frustration. Poor old Tyrone hasn’t had the easiest path in life and getting beaten up by his pregnant girlfriend is something he probably expected to happen at this stage. Despite nabbing the bigger audience, the soap’s audience share was actually lower than EastEnders, at 31%.
Over on Channel 4 at 9pm was the premiere of a new series very much in the chataric de-clutter vein of documentary. The Hoarder Next Door was similar in concept to shows like 10 Years Younger, except for the more mentally-fragile and vulnerable person at the centre of the show. Cross-dresser Nigel has been hoarding for many years and owns a lot of cats; a deadly combination. As the handkerchief he constantly covers his mouth and nose with wasn’t doing the trick anymore, it was time to call in psychotherapist Stelios Kiosses to help sort out his dodgy habits. Channel 4’s biggest audience of the day (2.7 million viewers) watched as Nigel’s brain was rewired through a six-week programme, resulting in a roomier, faeces-free house.
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.