TV Overnights: Sunday’s Dancing on Ice secures 7m for ITV1
Friday
Soaps were the main draw for viewers on Friday night with the first episode of Coronation Street securing the biggest audience of the entire weekend. A peak audience of 8.7 million viewers tuned in to see Sally Webster deal with the reality that relationships just might not be her thing.
The first episode went out at 7.30pm on ITV1 and drew in an average reach of 38%. An hour later the second episode aired with slightly lower audience figures – 8.7 million people tuned in again at 8.30pm but the audience share fell to 35%.
Sandwiched between the double episodes of Corrie was EastEnders (BBC One, 8pm), which featured Janine showing a brief sign of self-awareness as she worried her personality might have driven Michael away for good. The episode pulled in a slightly lower audience and share than its Northern rival with eight million viewers and an audience share of 34%.
The second episode in the fifth series of Benidorm went out in the 9pm slot on ITV1 and secured an average audience of six million viewers. 26% of the available audience watched as Matthew Kelly’s Cyril Babcock supervised rehearsals for a dance contest.
Saturday
Light entertainment was the order of the day as Let’s Dance For Sports Relief (BBC One, 7pm) bagged the highest number of viewers on Saturday. Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey and Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer danced their way to the final with a song from Bugsy Malone. They were watched by 5.6 million viewers.
Over on ITV1 at 7.30 Harry Hill took a look back at the week’s TV highlights and pulled in the biggest audience for the channel on Saturday. Harry Hill’s TV Burp had a share of 20% and was watched by 4.5 million viewers.
This was followed by an hour of Paddy McGuinness gurning at the camera as he tried to help 30 unlikeable women find true love. Or at best, something to do on a Saturday night. Take Me Out won an average audience of 4.4 million viewers at 8pm.
Casualty (BBC One, 9pm), currently in its 26th series, was watched by 5.1 million viewers. The BBC Saturday night staple grabbed 24% of the available audience.
Sunday
Six Nations: France v Ireland (BBC One, 2.45pm) kicked things off on Sunday with an average audience of 3.9 million viewers. The game, which resulted in a 17-17 draw, saw audience interest peak near the closing moments – increasing to five million viewers (a 27% share).
Later on, the flagship channel’s schedule gave way to more traditional Sunday fayre with Countryfile at 7pm bringing in the largest BBC audience of the day (six million viewers). Antiques Roadshow managed a 20% audience share as it went head to head with the last half an hour of Dancing on Ice.
The second series of period drama Upstairs Downstairs continued with the residents of 165 Eaton Place being forced to deal with a very modern scandal. The programme pulled in five million viewers.
Earlier on BBC Two Jeremy Clarkson and co provided the station with the highest audience of the weekend with Top Gear securing 4 million viewers.
Dancing on Ice was ITV1’s big hit of the day as just under seven million people (26.8%) tuning in to watch the six remaining celebrities being put through their paces.
Meanwhile, South African drama Wild at Heart (8.30pm) held onto an average audience of six million viewers throughout the episode, resulting in a 23% audience share. This was followed by Dancing On Ice: The Skate Off, which peaked with 5.9 million viewers as Coronation Street’s resident simpleton Andy Whyment was sent skating home.
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.