Even taking into account Children in Need, that confident recommission before series 1 had even finished isn't looking too clever at the moment.

Can you roughly recall any year in which CIN peaked at 7m post-news? Can't see a breakdown or peak for 2011 or 2012 in the thread archive.

CiN stands out against the usual diet of soapy-drama, murder-drama, cookery and factual-lite. An actual entertainment "show" on a weekday!

Like in the olden days... 1977.

All-day shares (inc +1)

BBC One: 32.0%
BBC Two: 5.9%
ITV: 16.2% approx
Channel 4: 5.0% approx
Channel 5: 3.9%
Others: 37.0% approx, including:
- ITV2: 2.1%
- ITV3: 2.0%
- E4: 1.6%
- Film4: 1.6%
- BBC Three: 1.4%

BBC One's best all-day share since the Olympics? Or Christmas? All of BBC TV had 42.5%, up from 31.4% last Friday,

Far too subtle that wink, for people to notice what you are getting at.

Anyway good rating for Children in Need, so we can expect the same items again next year as they were obviously popular.

In fairness, it is easy to see why some are cynical about this appeal enhancement by XF votes. It is a little obvious to see what Cowell is attempting to achieve and sadly I suspect it's not helping those in the Phillippines. It is good that money is going to the Phillippines, don't get me wrong, but it's the commercial way he is trying to achieve a "awww isn't Simon Cowell lovely" response that grates on me.

Did you see last Saturday's special. (with Sandie Shaw)

Just to inform people so theyre not surprised tomorrow, tonight's Jonathan Ross Show should get its best rating of the series so far. That's because it has its earliest slot yet, there is no Match of the Day to compete against and has people like Eminem and Hollywood actors appearing on it. Should get just over 4million.

Alternative schedules were published for BBC Two in the Radio Times. It could have been the film Cast Away at 19:30, but instead it will be:

19:30-22:00 (barring extra time) - Rugby League World Cup: Quarter Final
* England v France
* kick-off: 20:00

Will be interesting to see how this does. It's not as popular as its rival code, rugby union, but it could pull a few men (in particular) away from the other channels.

Speaking of rubgy union, the autumn international Ireland v Australia is on BBC Two beforehand (16:55-19:30, kick-off at 17:45).

You do have to wonder about some of these celebrities who really dont seem to have a clue what day it is never mind any plausible answers to the actual questions - still have to say I enjoy it though.

Ah thanks Samuel so helpful

However last series when it was broadcast earlier its ratings looked less respectable than after 10pm. I don't think the earlier slot helps.

And can i just add, Strictly should get its best rating this series tonight as its shorter than usual, more people will be watching TV and its got little competition.

This is understandable, however even Simon Cowell has a heart and he can obviously see the tragedy that has struck the Philippines who are in need to food and water.

But i don't see how people think it would boost XF? They're not likely to sit through the whole show just to vote at the end, are they

I live in one of the areas where rugby league is strong, although in recent years football has become more popular, but I can't see a QF in rugby league topping 2 million. It's just not a national game and I think even if England went on to win the final, it wouldn't get more than 4 million.

Maybe, I dunno, but just for clarity how odious in comparison to Cowell?

Last year's Children in Need Saturday highlights show averaged just under 4m in a slightly shorter slot than tonight's, but finishing at the same time.

With thanks to D.M.N., the round-up for the equivalent Saturday last year:

Cowell is basically holding ITV to ransom to keep his British shows alive. He's probably furious that TXF has flopped badly in America and his other British ventures have done nothing, so has decided to hold his biggest market to ransom. £ 50 million is a lot to fork out each year and as he's worth over £ 200 million smacks of greed.

Oh poor little ITV, the true victims of the world

Well next time you see another YBF repeat, you'll know ITV have been ripped off.
I think ITV have never thought of what to replace the Cowell shows with and he knows that his two brands are popular, so has bullied them into paying a huge amount to keep them on air.
Yet ITV are going to be miffed if both shows really tank in the ratings and are paying over the odds for disposable shows.

Posting for subscription; lurking too much nowadays (or perhaps not enough for some! )

It does make me laugh how many nasty comments are made about O'Sullivan in here. Today alone "odious" and "ghastly." He writes and talks about telly for goodness sake, how bad can he be ? It's fair enough to not be a fan of his writing style, but me thinks some are a tad extreme in their descriptions. Maybe there's a bit of jealousy going on ? Nice work if you can get it being a paid TV critic ! Presumably he wouldn't have lasted so long with the Mirror if his column wasn't popular.

I like Ally Ross in The Sun, he referred to Peter Andre as a boring Aussie twerp, which isn't far from the truth.
However, for vicious comments, few could match Nina Myskow when she was a critic. She once referred to Crossroads actors as zombies and called Mike Reid an annoying cockney oik.

Maybe we should have an appeal for them.
I would willingly donate £1 if they promise to drop all Cowell shows immediately.

That SCD opening from Blackpool (the presentation, the happiness, the choreography, the staging) was a great TV moment. Resistance is futile.

Good move - such a shame red tape now stops Strictly donating to Children in Need. Hate though how The Sun has tried to hijack the DEC appeal and make out they've set it up - even when for the first 4-5 days after the Typhoon the story didn't even make their front pages.


Back to ratings and Children in Need beat England in Need then. Did STV opt out, or do they now show the England games?

Does anyone know what Mastermind and Gardeners' World got last night (BBC2, 8pm-9pm)?

Many thanks!