TV Overnights: butchered Lewis still manages to attract 6.3 million viewers for ITV 1
While there was plenty of lightness and comedy littered about Monday’s prime time schedule, ITV1 inadvertently created an air of gloom for many viewers by doing the unthinkable.
The commercial broadcaster crossed a line no sleuthing fans dared to fear would happen, by messing about with the traditional formula and stretching one case apart by a whole week.
As Lewis (ITV1, 9pm) returned to our screen last night, some eagle eyed viewers noticed something was amiss. After six successful series, the Morse spin off was noticeable leaner in running time – ITV had done the unthinkable and split the usual two hour offering into two one hour episodes.
Viewers around the country took to social media to share the horror that the broadcasters unholy tinkering brought on. It’s unsure why ITV decided to mess with a winning formula but it looks like there has been little interference with the popularity of Morse‘s former Padawan.
6.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the slight sliver of picturesque snooping, as Lewis and Hathaway had to deal with a frightful murder and some snooty academics. Presumably. Part one *shudders* of Lewis‘ latest mystery brought in a 24% audience share.
Over on BBC One, things were a little more light hearted as the channel’s double whammy of old fashioned simpleton comedy resulted in a very strong night. The third series of Miranda continued at 9pm as the latest episode once again centered around the bumbling funny lady making yet another social faux pas.
This week she farted in a chiropractor’s office. 6.8 million viewers tuned in to see if Miranda could pass as a ‘normal’, netting a 26% audience share.
After dominating Christmas (not one but TWO Christmas specials) Mrs. Agnes Brown was back for the latest episode in the new series. The toxic Marmite creation has been somehow going from strength to strength with last night’s parade of silliness pulling in another 6.8 million viewers.
The latest panto was watched by an audience share of 26%, helping BBC One secure the highest share for the 9-10pm slot as well as the rest of the night.
Meanwhile on Channel 4, Dr Christian slapped on his favourite pair of latex gloves while accommodating the usual ill-favoured look in his eye. Embarrassing Fat Bodies (9pm), the show that does exactly what it says on the tin, returned for a second series. Because plain old skinny embarrassing bodies aren’t enough to satisfy the nation’s appetite.
Dr Christian was once again joined by equally suspect professionals Drs Dawn and Pixie (Jesus wept). You know the drill by now – for some mad reason members of the public saunter into the clinic and share their most horrific conditions with the entire country.
Except, this time they’re fat. The carnival of grotesque caught 1.3 million viewers in its intense gravity, resulting in a 5% share.
Which brings us to the real big hitters of the night. Emmerdale started the soap ball rolling at 7pm on ITV1 as 7.3 million viewers (a 33% share) tuned in to see Jai’s life crumble around him. Coronation Street at 7:30pm saw Lewis (no, not that one) continue his plans to ruin Gail. And not in a sexy way.
The first trip to Weatherfield secured the night’s biggest audience with 9.1 million viewers (a 39% share) tuning in to see two men fight over catch of the century, Leanne Battersby. For some reason. The second episode at 8:30pm also performed extremely well, pulling an 8.8 million people.
Stuffed in between the onslaught of Northern accents was EastEnders on BBC One at 8pm. Little orphan Alice was going about, bothering relatives regarding the details surrounding her father’s death.
The latest visit to the most turbulent 100 square metres in London attracted BBC One’s biggest audience of the day with 8.7 million viewers (a 35% share) tuning in.
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.