TV Overnights: death by cheese – Midsomer Murders nets 5.6m for ITV
Last night, while the nation was still recovering from the trauma of the big freeze, BBC One offered up a slice of perspective in the form of David Attenborough’s Africa (9pm).
After exploring the lush and humid environments of the Cape last week, viewers were dragged to the dusty and desolate gates of hell for last night’s focus on the Sahara.
A 21% share tuned in to see the intense battle of survival in the barren land but the harsh setting may have been off-putting for some. The perfect platform for midweek escapism held its ground against The National Television Awards last week but couldn’t fight off the might of last night’s ITV offering.
5 million viewers followed the lonesome tale of a tumbleweed-like plant which spends its existence being blown about, in a never-ending quest for water (down from 5.8 million, week on week).
Over on Channel 4 was a nature programme of a very different kind as the cameras turned on those odd human creatures. The documentary One Born Every Minute (9pm) has proved such a hit that the vernix caseosa-covered babies are now coming thick and fast. And thanks to humankind’s penchant for over-population, producers will never run out of stars for their voyeuristic hit.
2 million viewers caught up with the latest developments in Leeds’ pimped out infirmary, netting an 8% share. The screams of labour pains bouncing around the corridors pulled in Channel 4’s biggest audience of the day.
An hour earlier, ITV put forward its best murder yet. This particular scenario is something DCI Banks, Lewis, Whitechapel and even Scott & Bailey would have passed up. Thank the scheduling Gods then for Midsomer Murders (ITV, 8pm).
Even though the horrific opening crime was broadcast before the watershed, ITV deserve plaudits for teaching the children of today a little something about health and safety. Poor old Martine McStreeturchin – catapulted to fame through a high-profile spot on EastEnders only to lose out in a fight with a car.
Things then began to look up – freed from the Albert Square compound through death, Martine was then partially involved with a number one single and a role in a hit Hugh Grant film!
Last night saw the multi talented Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor killed by a giant round of cheese. Again – killed by a giant round of cheese. The other broadcasters just couldn’t compete with this particular narrative development and Midsomer Murders secured the highest audience share for its two-hour running time.
5.6 million people tuned in to see death by mutant Babybel, resulting in a 24% share. If this continues to be rewarded by ITV with an uninterrupted two hour story, why can’t Lewis?
Up against that scene at 8pm was Gok’s Style Secrets, as the master of nonsense continued to dispense self-help by way of Claire’s Accessories and a sassy punch line. 1.2 million viewers fell for his snake oil secrets, capturing a 5% share.
BBC Two couldn’t think of anything better to do and commissioned yet another variant in the rich Hairy Bikers tapestry. The latest stab at variation (don’t worry, they’re still hairy, they still cook but they do look a little bit gaunt these days) saw the motoring enthusiasts try their hand at ‘posh’ food.
Whatever is labelled posh by the pasty-weak bakers isn’t quite clear on The Hairy Bikers’ Everyday Gourmets (BBC Two, 8pm) but 2 million viewers (a 9% share) tuned in for the new series all the same.
Despite the myriad of choice on offer it was the earlier ITV’s soaps that nabbed Wednesday’s biggest audience. 7pm brought a bit of danger to the sleepy hamlet of Emmerdale, where international terrorists attacked the iconic Woolpack pub. Luckily Chas was on hand, using her telekinetic powers to shield herself from the attack (left).
Perhaps they were a mob from London’s East End – the Yorkshire soap has been nipping at BBC’s flagship show for some time now. Last night’s slice of high-octane rural village action netted an impressive 7.5 million viewers and a 34% share.
Things were slightly more sedate in the bustling metropolis of Greater Manchester. Evil bad posh man Lewis’ wicked plan to gain access to Gail’s ‘honeypot’ stepped up a gear. While stealing his beloved’s bank details the well-spoken scoundrel overheard details of another scandal.
Will Lewis use the knowledge that Nick may have got his brother’s wife pregnant to his favour? Most probably. 8.6 million people caught up with Weatherfield’s latest dysfunctional action in Coronation Street (ITV, 7:30pm), picking up a 38% share and the biggest audience of the day.
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.
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