TV Overnights: Thatcher’s shock exit brings in 2.6m for BBC One
As news of Baroness Thatcher’s death spread across the internet like wildfire yesterday afternoon, TV executives were frantic – hastily patching together televisual memorials for the viewing public.
First out of the trap was Jon Snow’s love letter to his career the former Prime Minister with Maggie & Me at 8pm on Channel 4.
The one hour special was kind of like the recent Owen Wilson film Marley and Me, except Jon Snow fell in love with an uncontrollable female prime minister. Perhaps the viewing nation was still too busy chowing down their tea to go into full on mourning mode like Jon Snow but the name dropping extravaganza only managed to secure 677,000 viewers (a 3% share) with another 70,000 tuning in an hour later on Channel 4 +1.
Later, BBC One went down the talking heads route, allowing family, friends and former work buddies guide us through her best bits. The BBC went all out with Margaret Thatcher: Prime Minister (8:30pm), allocating an hour and a half of screen time for the trip down memory lane, feeling like the least entertaining night of Comic Relief yet.
2.6 million viewers stayed tuned for the entire programme, with David Cameron’s rapturous praise securing a 10% audience share.
Earlier on in the evening the drama was less sedate as a barrage of soap action was dumped upon an eager audience. The first tip of the week to sunny Emmerdale (ITV, 7pm) secured an audience of 6.9 million viewers and a 33% share.
A double helping of Coronation Street (ITV) guaranteed the biggest audience of the night as fire-fighter Paul couldn’t shake that feeling that death was lurking about every corner of the troubled street. After witnessing an apocalyptic level of carnage since he arrived three years ago, Paul’s shaky nerves ensured his future with Eileen was in doubt.
9 million viewers tuned in for the first half an hour of drama at 7:30pm, bringing in a 39% share. Viewers for the second episode at 8:30pm fell as 7.9 million people retuned to Weatherfield, making up a 31% share.
Sandwiched in between the northern soap was the latest instalment in the terminally cheery James Nesbitt’s Ireland (ITV, 8pm).
The fourth instalment saw the actor return to Co Kerry to be upstaged by Fungi the Dingle dolphin, a weathered but friendly old thing that has made the bay in the West of Ireland his home for the last 29 years. The Hobbit actor’s journey was watched by a comfortable 3.3 million viewers and provided ITV with a 14% share.
Over on BBC One at 8pm saw Sharon celebrate her hen night with her one soul friend on EastEnders (8pm). 7.6 million viewers watched as the Walford stalwart and Tayna’s crazy night of giggling was interrupted by an amorous Phil Mitchell.
Their decades-spanning relationship reached further levels of confusion as they shared a sly smooch, secured a 31% share and transformed into one giant black cushion. Pictured for your viewing pleasure.
Afterwards, the fourth episode of Paul Hollywood’s Bread (BBC Two, 8:30pm) treated viewers to more shots of the master baker pounding lumps of dough with his fists, keeping 2.3 million (and a 9% share) loyal viewers satisfied.
Despite the passing of a national icon, it was a small seaside murder that keeps pulling viewers back in droves and won the 9pm slot for ITV. The European inspired Broadchurch continued to roll on in its camper van of secrets, as the series hurtles towards its conclusion.
6.3 million viewers tuned in to see small town life slowly get back to normal, only for a chance discovery to propel the case forward. The latest details of Danny Latimer’s murder netted a 25% 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.