TV Overnights: Reinvigorated EastEnders leads a strong evening for BBC One
Coronations Street’s absence from Tuesday night’s schedules gave the dominant soap’s rivals a bit of a breather and allowed them to shine for the evening.
And if there was one unintentional theme running through last night’s two big soaps, it was a vague reminder of how old we are all getting.
As usual, Emmerdale (ITV) was the first out of the trap at 7pm as the rural soap ventured into Hollyoaks territory as youthful sexuality took centre stage. The fact that it was little Tinkerbelle Dingle’s storyline probably made regular viewers feel a little uncomfortable and very ancient all at the same time.
6.2 million viewers watched as fuming parent Dom went to confront teenage ASBO-magnet Sean for impregnating his teenage daughter, only to find the popular adolescent getting cosy with 15 year old Belle. Well, it must get boring counting sheep all day.
The scenes of enraged parental meltdowns pulled in a 33% audience share, resulting in the second biggest audience of the day.
Straight afterwards on BBC One, EastEnders (7:30pm) spent a few moments clumsy foreshadowing the return of another old favourite as Carol shared news with Bianca of a letter from her father.
As this is soapland, there are no such things as flippant comments about past characters – which can only mean one thing. After 17 years away (yep, that long) 90s love rat David Wicks is set to return to London’s most dramatic post code.
An audience share of 37% watched as the seeds were sown for this year’s Christmas storyline.
After spending so many weeks down on its luck, skulking on the bench in Albert Square, the soap had reason to celebrate yesterday as it was the most watched programme of the entire day.
7.1 million viewers helped the down trodden east London soap rank first place, initiating a strong night for BBC One.
Reliable medical drama Holby City was up next, easily securing the 8pm slot with 4.7 million viewers and a 23% share. The other channels didn’t fare so well with embarrassing commission Embarrassing Bodies (8pm) continuing to tarnish Channel 4’s name, but also managing to attract 1.3 million viewers and a 6% share.
At the same time on ITV, Animal Heroes (a documentary about super-powered Chihuahuas, or something) managed to attract 1.7 million viewers and an 8% share.
BBC One’s success continued in the 9pm slot as representational female Frankiecontinued to stick it to the man by telling it how it is, etc.
Helpfully, the colourful opening titles clue new viewers in about everything they need to know about the main character’s existence. There’s the district nurse uniform, there’s the serious and caring expressions pointed at some sick people – but don’t worry it’s all done in cheerful tones.
Also, there’s a bit of dancing alone in her living room as well as singing into wine bottles. Modern women just love that stuff.
Whatever criticism the show may face it seems to be doing well with its target audience. 4 million viewers (64% female) caught up with the penultimate episode of a series that has consistently brought in viewers week after week. An 18% audience share meant that BBC One continued to be the most watched channel.
Up against all the emotions and self-assurance of a Sure deodorant advert was Dirty Britain (9pm) on ITV.
Nope, the commercial broadcaster didn’t go all Channel 4 and attempt to lift the lid on the country’s sexual habits. Instead we had the second part of the thrilling documentary that lifts the lids on the country’s dustbins.
For some unknown reason 2 million people tuned in to catch the tales of house cleaners and pest control officers, resulting in a 9% share.
At the same time, 1.8 million viewers chose to spend their Tuesday night in the company of ten year olds with far too much confidence to be healthy. Child Geniuses (9pm) focused on precocious kids, (the type that already know they’re better than you) who were being hunted down by MENSA’s child procurement division. The litter of clever clogs attracted the channels biggest audience of the day and an 8% share.
The second sequence of the real life David Brent nightmare that is The Call Centre aired on BBC Three at 9pm. The digital channel’s biggest audience of the day (1 million viewers) watched as call centre boss Nev tried to revive bereft staff by putting on a talent competition. The traumatising documentary pulled in a 5% share.
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.