I really enjoy it, as well. I think people who have seen it, telling others "it's crap" may stop people tuning in.

But I do think the BBC killed it by launching it in the middle of August, it should have launched in October pre-SCD or something.

I'd love to see them give it a second series, as a reboot with new writers etc. But very much doubt it.

Simon Cowell on Twitter:


Seems like they're happy.

A good night for ITV. I was expecting X Factor to launch with a figure around there. Whilst it is a decent figure to start with, I do think that the show will end up posting another y-o-y decline this year... maybe not as sharp a drop of 20% though.

Stepping Out started pretty well actually. It has a tough job on its hands facing Strictly next week, but I think the format itself has the potential to grow and become a hit. It'll take a knock next week, but I think it'll grow again in the third week. I echo what another poster said - they should have just put it on 6.30 Sunday night which would have been an easier slot.

The surprise of the night is Through The Keyhole's performance though. I was only expecting it to get 3-3.5m. It has started really well.

BBC1's figures were weak last night. They'll be glad when Strictly and Atlantis start. Casualty took a knock from the X Factor it seems, which surprises me... I can't imagine many Casualty viewers being X Factor viewers as well. Usually dramas like Merlin compliment X Factor really well.

I wouldn't be surprised if, despite the rating, Through the Keyhole isn't shown at least next week after the death of Sir David Frost.

A week is a long time. I can't see them pulling it.

BIB-sums it up perfectly.

Agree ref BBC1. Its weird because the figures suggest a throwaway schedule of repeats gearing up to the return of "proper" Saturday night programmes. However all but half an hour are new ideas or ongoing shows. X Factor or not, its pretty poor.

Thanks for answering. So isn't it a bit odd Musketeers is in the new trailer and not Atlantis?

....maybe but he was hardly going to tweet negativity.

I don't think any new show following on from X Factor has done so well since The Cube in 2009.

X Factor won't be so lucky tonight, There is Dragons Den and strong programs on other channels. The only thing that was any good last night was the program at 21:15 on BBC Two alongside Dads Army repeats.

Don't get your hopes up. Dragons Den peaked a long time ago.

Musketeers and Sherlock are most likely next year, What Remains is already on. Why have them in that trail instead of Atlantis? Makes no sense.

Dragon's Den isn't that strong nowadays. It can only manage 2m vs Vera (4m).

If he wasn't happy he simply wouldn't tweet at all.

The Exec Producer has also tweeted congratulations to the Xtra Factor team that their ratings are up from last year, but no specifics.

X Factor is proof that that the BARB box system doesn't work, Bet the people with BARB boxes that are the same age as me were watching X Factor and they added a million people to it assuming they are watching it too. I don't believe the ratings system anymore.

I'm surprised it took us until 3pm to see our first strop of the day.

I suspect ITV might keep it in its slot but have a tribute show after the news next Saturday.

I've given Elaine Bedell plenty of stick in the past but there's no denying that she's having a very good run at the moment. The return of Takeaway, Splash defying the critics, another successful BGT in the bag, X Factor up on last year and a string of much needed utility players like Catchphrase, Surprise Surprise, Off Their Rockers and perhaps now Through The Keyhole.

I think last nights rating alone will give them the confidence to finally dump The Cube and try something new after BGT.

What Remains was meant to be in the slot Crickley hall took last year I seem to recall. For some reason it was brought forward. Atlantis is likely not in the trail because it has a heavy and constant promotional campaign of its own. The emphasis on the trail is to highlight drama for the rest of the year. There was a similar one last year that kept advertising Ripper Street but that didn't start until the penultimate day of 2012.

No one apart from Mo Farah is going to beat The Cube anyway so maybe it is time to dump it.

Maybe a new comedy?

Maybe because I was watching other things last night that don't do very well in the ratings.

What even more impressive, its that the Xtra Factor that follows the main show usually dents the following LE show on ITV after X Factor. But by the tweet posted above it seems both did well. And ITV3 also rated well with Foyle's War getting a good 1million for a millionth rpt, for the older audience.

When are My Man Can and Total Wipeout rip-off Prize Island going to be shown? Both Elaine Bedell commissions.

Xtra Factor didnt rate that well yesterday, it wasnt top multichannel program of the day and rated less than 900k (exc +1). The only reason it rated better than last year's opening Xtra Factor episode was because last year's one didn't directly follow the main show, it aired 45mins after because Itv were hoping viewers wouldnt switch over to itv2 for Red or black.

Hasn't Prize Island been cancelled indefinetely along with Reflex on BBC1?