TV Overnights: Lisa’s emotional exit attracts 10.7m for BBC One
The weekend’s television brought us a flurry of award shows and festive specials – little constant reminders that, no matter how much you tried, there was no escaping the seasonal ‘celebrations’.
Friday
The first of a double dose of Coronation Street (ITV1, 7:30pm) drama brought in Friday’s biggest audience as Carla surprised Peter with flights to LA. Naturally, this being the fast moving world of soap, they were due to leave that afternoon. 7.9 million viewers tuned in to see Peter accept his boozy missus’ unlikely and impractical last minute travel plans, resulting in a 37% share.
The second trip to Weatherfield at 8:30pm saw the audience fall slightly. A 33% audience share watched as little Simon Barlow (who must know Manchester’s public transport system like the back of his hand by now) somehow make his way to the airport to emotionally scar his father. 7.2 million viewers were treated to a true Christmas miracle as Peter decided to forego his fake tan and glamorous LA lifestyle to bring up his impish spawn in the dull tones of Weatherfield.
The residents of Walford didn’t fare so well on Friday night – EastEnders (BBC One, 8pm) was a full 1 million viewers behind its Northern rival. Dastardly Derek continued to make enemies in the run up what will presumably be yet another shouty and murderous Christmas in Albert Square. Elsewhere, Kat’s every adulterous move was under Alfie’s watchful eye with 6.9 million viewers (a 32% share) tuning in.
Later, ITV1 treated the viewing public to manipulative mawkish entertainment that was cleverly disguised as a well-meaning selfless awards show.
A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards 2012 saw an array of well deserving servicemen and women honoured for their bravery in action, only to be out shined by The Sun‘s real heroes of 2012 – imagine surviving the nightmare of a warzone only to end up making small talk with ex-TOWIE personalities Mark Wright and something called an Amy Childs. The horror.
2.8 million viewers tuned in to watch a parade of desperate celebrities getting their mugs in pictures of emotionally raw recipients. Naturally Amanda Holden was on hand to guide us through the night, signalling how the audience should be feeling at any particular point, through her unbridled talent for emoting. The oddest and most uncomfortable awards show of the year pulled in a 13% audience share.
Up against the onslaught of manufactured sentimentality was refreshing emotional calm of Have I Got News for You (9pm) on BBC One. Former wild child and Murdoch-BFF Charlotte Church was on hosting duties for the ninth episode of the 44th series. The panel show secured the highest share in its time slot with 4.2 million viewers tuning in for the comedic take on the week’s news.
Saturday
As usual Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One, 6:30pm) kicked off Saturday’s shiny prime time entertainment as the final five contestants zipped up their gaudy suits for the semi-final.
The crème of talent that stepped up to the challenge many weeks ago fought for their place in next week’s final with Emmerdale‘s Lisa Riley (American smooth to All That Jazz) and multi-talented Denise Van Outen (the tango to Roxanne – because the world needs to hear that one more time) finding themselves in the bottom two. 10.3 million viewers caught up with the latest action from the dance floor, securing the day’s biggest audience and a 44% share.
Afterwards on ITV1, was a very special episode of Paddy McGuinness’ extremely simple dating show. Take Me Out Celebrity Christmas Special (7:40pm) stretched the meaning of ‘celebrity’ to insane levels as two nobodies (and one celebrity flogging a rubbish film) attempted to impress 30 single women who could only be described as the leftovers from the previous series.
Really famous people, Joe Swash, Matt Johnson and Keith Lemon had the gravity and charm to pull in 3.7 million viewers and an audience share of 16%.
BBC One had a strong night of family drama with the soon-to-be-expired Merlin (8:15pm) netting 6.3 million viewers followed by Casualty at 9:15pm, with 4.9 million viewers.
ITV1 felt okay with handing their Saturday night schedule over to adverts for needy ‘artists’ flogging their latest wares, under the thin illusion of being actual entertainment shows. First up was Girls Aloud – Ten Years at the Top at 9pm (let’s not ruin their fun and remind them that they were on hiatus for nearly four of those years).
Kimberly, Cheryl…and all your other favourites were finally back in the spotlight, informing us of the difficulties of fame, boyfriends and the fact they have a new CD out. 2.2 million viewers tuned in to hear Nadine’s lovely new Northern Ireland/ Los Angeles hybrid accent, netting a 10% audience share.
Later the viewing public was lucky enough to have Michael Bublé: Home for Christmas (ITV1, 10:35pm). The smarm dispenser may have been born in the Canadian wilderness but who knew he considered the ITV soundstages as his actual home?
1.4 million people (a 10% share) watched the repeat in which the Bubé interacted with our regional celebrities in order to better target the UK demographic. And sing a few songs too, presumably.
Over on Channel 4 at 9pm was the over-hyped Emo drama about some sexually confused and vitamin D-deprived castrated teenagers.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse featured more cheekbones and pouting than you could shake a sparkly crucifix at and that was before the leading lady even showed up on screen. 1.2 million viewers watched and wondered when exactly Vampires lost their bite, securing a 6% share.
Sunday
It was left to the aftermath of Saturday’s big show to steal away the weekend’s largest audience. Strictly Come Dancing: The Results (BBC One, 6:50pm) saw Katherine Jenkins perform on your screen for the millionth time this year before Tess Daly and Janice from the Muppets announced that Lisa Riley would be returning to obscurity ASAP.
A massive 10.7 million viewers watched as the former Dingle of Beckindale broke down in a flood of tears, realising she wouldn’t make it to the final. The semi-final results secured the weekend’s biggest hit for BBC One.
This was followed by BBC One’s wrap up of the sporting year, and a slightly more tasteful awards ceremony than Friday night’s. The two and a half hour event had to cover a very busy twelve months with the new-found audience reflecting that the Olympic fever that swept through the UK in the summer still lingered.
10.6 milion viewers watched as Bradley Wiggins’s was named Sports Personality of the Year (BBC One, 7:30pm) resulting in a 40% share and the second biggest audience of the weekend.
ITV1 readied their response attack, launching ladeee drama (corsets, lip-biting and what not) The Making of a Lady at 8pm. The period drama starred father of Batman and son of Ken Barlow, Linus Roache as a wealthy widower who penniless Lydia Wilson is forced to marry.
The psychological drama, based on a short story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, managed to attract an audience of 3.3 million, resulting in a 12% share.
Over on Channel 4 at 9pm was the penultimate episode of Homeland‘s second series. Sunday night saw Carrie go all Jack Bauer to hunt down her target. A consistent 1.8 million viewers watched as the disturbed CIA agent shouted “goddamnit!” in a husky voice every few minutes and decided to forgo sleep and toilet breaks. Let’s just hope her quest for Nazir isn’t stretched out over eight series.
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.