TV viewing round-up: October 2014

The Great British Bake Off managed to fend off all competitors this month by achieving by far and away the highest rating in October. Since switching channels from BBC Two to BBC One, the baking contest has steadily improved its ratings, with the final watched by 13.5 million.

ITV’s traditional autumn ratings winners were left trailing behind the BBC’s cookery behemoth, with both Downton Abbey and The X Factor failing to break 10 million viewers in October.

Julian Fellowes’ long running period drama managed an audience of 9.8 million viewers, just ahead of Simon Cowell’s singing competition, The X Factor that had 9.6 million.

Other shows that did well this October were Grantchester, which was seen by just under 7 million viewers for its opening episode; and the return of Inspector Morse spin-off Lewis, which was watched by 6.7 million people.

Elsewhere BBC One’s The Missing, starring James Nesbitt, attracted an audience of 6.3 million, while ITV’s historical drama about the Great Fire of London, The Great Fire, gathered 5.6 million dedicated viewers.

Top Programmes (excluding soaps):

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