Huge ratings for the 3 big "event" shows. I'm A Celebrity is probably the one that stands out. One of our regulars will have to spend another year predicting its imminent demise! Even after McKeith left, it seems to have done really well. And a bit like X Factor, I wouldn't have thought it likely to even match last years figures let alone beat them.

Strictly continues to gain momentum. At this point I think it's final ratings largely depend on whether or not Ann Widdecombe makes it. If she does, the week-long build up (with XF & IAC finished) is going to be massive and enough to beat BGT.

That's a strong rating for the XF semi-final stage, 10% higher than last year. Considering the unusual past for semi-final ratings (they dropped from quarter to semi finals in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and were flat in 2007 and 2009) and the departure of 2 of the controversial acts, it's a good number to take into the final. Having an extra elimination next weekend should ramp up the tension and having at least one marmite act (Cher) in the final would probably help (the top 3 are fairly safe and very obvious).

On a closing note, the 3rd highest rated show last night (Strictly) averaged 12m viewers. Didn't someone once say that Saturday night TV was dead?

Well there were several years where SCD was largely ahead on the overlap period contributing to SCD being ahead overall, and this year SCD would have dented XF if there were 15 to 20 minute overlaps-especially if Widdy was on last. Last year the combined show was a disastrous idea and lost on all levels-viewers simply did not stay for the interlude and those involved with scheduling should have recognised that would happen.
If there was, (or even should be) a ratings battle between the two, then XF has won hands down-taking the later slot on Saturdays and grabbing the prime Sunday slot when the BBC werent looking. All in all, much sharper business which is future proofed.

A few more ratings from yesterday:

ITV1 (inc. HD)
19:10- Harry Hill's TV Burp: 5.63m (20.7%)
19:40-21:20: The X Factor: 13.85m (48.4%)
* tape-checked

Channel 4 (inc. HD)
18:00- Come Dine with Me: 2.35m (11.1%)

Channel 5 (inc. HD)
17:15- Ice Age: The Meltdown: 2.2m (10.1%)

Primetime Shares
ITV1 (inc. HD): 39.5%
BBC1 (inc. HD): 21.5%
BBC Two: 5.2%
Channel 4 (inc. HD): 3.3% (+1: 0.4%)
Channel 5 (inc. HD): 3.5%

Source: DS

When you take into account the Sunday showing too its doing pretty good bussiness. Im a big fan of impressions and there is definitely a place for this type of show. The scripts need to be good though-and, especially for a family audience I think that art has long since departed. I dont get criticism of the impressions though-some are maybe a bit dodgy but most others are spot on.

I wished Debra Stephenson would do some more Kylie though.

Woah, TXF had nearly 14m tapechecked! That 15.2m peak is hugely impressive too, and it's a good bit up on last year. Harry Hill also rated very well considering it was just a 'best of' edition, whilst YBF always does solidly. I reckon they mutt have hoped for a bit more from the Buble thing although that's still a pretty good rating at that time. The Impressions Show does much better in that slot, and they should consider making that it's first run slot as that Sunday slot doesn't suit it at all.

12 million for IAC is the best rating since 2004 and the show has defied the trend away from celeb based reality shows. I suppose a lot has to do with the bad weather, a refreshed format and the fact it's become more of a family show with bad language, which blighted Big Brother, being banned. I now hope the profits ITV make from this go into decent drama- and not a revival of Love Island, which would have everyone over 30 running a mile from ITV1.

I'm a Celeb did very well this year. With the right cast list it always does well, but this year surprised me. Second highest rated final ever after 10 years shows great longevity for a rather rigid format.

As the first episode of Coronation Street is being shown on Monday I have raided Televisions Greatest Hits and the only reference is a showing 2/12/90(Sunday)in line with the shows then 30th anniversary. Showing 7.15 to 7.45 the audience was 12.1 million.

3 programs hitting 12million on the same night! Very impressive rises for Strictly and the Celeb final, and X-Factor losing the 2 controversial contestants doesn't seem to have reduced its ratings power at all.

Very good for Merlin and Match of The Day. Particularly Merlin to increase back to its original premiere launch rating in 2008 is outstanding for any drama - and that at a time when the opposition is pulling 13.7m

Special mention to Channel 5 as well, these family movies do really well when it gets dark so early.

I meant 2nd out of TXF, BGT and SCD. It obviously won't surpass EE Live and the Algeria game.

I suppose we shouldn't overlook the fact that TXF probably won't really be the "most watched TV event of 2010" because on any rational basis that clearly goes to all 4 of the England WC matches, once you consider the actual match figures and take account of millions watching in pubs, clubs and open-air screenings.

TXF will be distinctly second division compared to those audiences.

Dont forget the pub audience for TXF. I was in a pub last night showing the IACGMOOH final

The ITV staff bar?

Yes, we should take account of pub viewings of TXF. But I suspect it won't pack pubs to the rafters in the same way as an England World Cup match does.

And I haven't seen any open-air screenings of the TXF Final advertised anywhere, but I think that would be an excellent idea from a Darwinian perspective given current temperatures!

It does defy the odds as the format is similar to what it was 8 years ago and it's the only celebreality show to have stayed the distance- Hell's Kitchen, CBB, Celebrity Fit Club and countless others are dead and unmourned. 3 years ago it did seem to be declining, with ratings down to 7.5 million from a peak of 12 million, but it seems to have bounced back. However, I do hope ITV aren't tempted to bring out more celebreality shows as all their other efforts in the last 5 years have stiffed.

I can get you tickets to the Newcastle screening if you want

Glenn
another year of predicting the end is nigh? Isn't the world supposed to end in Dec 2012 anyway? Will IACGMOOH outlive the known universe?

isn the problem with Corrie: Live, is that this tram crash is an event based on a crash, rather than an event based on the conculsion to a storyline (like EE was)

In theory that makes it open for viewers who dont watch the show, to watch it. but, its a bit of a gimmick really.

Considering Piers Morgan has done better in that slot, that's actually quite poor.


The following is a Strictly spoiler for tonight.


It aired in 2000 for the 40th on 8th December, and had 10.7m. Could very easily put a dent into EastEnders tomorrow.

Fair enough comment that Corrie isn't known for it's big disasters - but that's why such a disaster is a stand out story for it to mark it's 50th, just as the plane crash was for Emmerdale when it lost the farm. And of course there can be no build up to it due to the nature of the story - though I'm sure with the opening of the Joinery and sudden acknowledgement of the Viaduct they've been building to it subtly for months.

And to say anyone who doesn't watch Corrie will be unaware of it is ridiculous. Perhaps the promo campaign has been low key, but Corrie's 50th has been absolutely everywhere in the last couple of weeks and indeed the build up began pretty much as soon as EastEnders 25th anniversary live episode came off air.

It has bounced back because it has been scheduled in tandem with TXF, which has maintained the high levels of viewing it was getting last year. And as the tabloids have (presumably) seen sales rise whenever the latest spoon-fed TXF guff is plastered across their front pages, they are also going big on IAC this year - which in turn, feeds the ratings.

Had the final aired on Friday, or tomorrow night, you all know full well it would not have got 12m.


You could also say that as the first episode has aired twice in the past 20 years, and got large audiences both times, for millions of core Corrie fans (mostly of a certain age), it won't be something with that much novelty value.

But these are useful benchmarks - perhaps 7-8m for tomorrow night's reshowing?

Don't know why the BBC bothered with Armstrong & Miller on Saturday night.

What they've missed is a Lottery gameshow this Autumn. Who Dares Wins or In it to Win It would do a much better job.

If they take A&M out and the 15 minute Lottery draw, they could have fit it in.

Well it might end during the final of IAC, we'll all know who's Queen of the Jungle just before we get blown up.
Seriously, though, I predict another 3 series of this show. ITV have played their cards right by keeping each series concise, making the contestants far less foul mouthed and unpleasant than BB ones, and not being tempted to do a BB and going into overkill. However, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure in the first three series the filming went on through the night.

3.1m for the Michael Buble show is poor. However, did this show get any promotion - at all ? I didn't see a single trail or promo.

Everytime I've switched ITV1 on this week it's been non-stop promotion for Take Me Out.

It interesting that last year people said Katie Price was going to kill the show yet this year Gillian Keith came out of nowhere as the star of the show.

The success is the limited run (making it an annual event), the casting and keep it suitably for all generations (not just the 16-34's who watched BB)


yes quite poor all right. I'm sure it will be repeated ad nauseum on ITV2 though.

I could add that TXF and IAC have been a godsend to ITV1 for ratings and revenue as taking a look back to 2002 Saturday nights, when the unified ITV was created, they were relying on waning shows like Blind Date, Lisa Riley's YBF, Stars in Their Eyes and The Premiership.

A&M was right to be recommisioned - on merit and its tolerable ratings previously. But it was dumped on Saturday night in that slot as filler. Clearly, BBC1 would have done better with a full Lotto show and Casualty airing in a fixed regular 9.10 slot before the 10pm news and MOTD at 10.20. That said, ITV does abysmally post 9/9.30pm on Saturday most of the year - often airing the first half of an old film etc to a sub 2m audience. And that's without BBC1 airing 12-15m goliaths.

As ever - blame the Hunt-Dixon Alliance. 2011 should be a better year for BBC1 without those two around.