The Ratings Thread (Part 68)

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Nostlagic

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Markynotts:
“Perhaps ITV would be better in not trying to reinvent the dating show. Just bring back Blind Date and have Paul O'Grady as the host.”

This would be gold. The only person other than Cilla i could see hosting it. Would bring in 3-4m for sure.

sunbeam007

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Ash_M1:
“BIB...is this not mildly offensive? You imply that it is only oldies pushing zimmers who watch BBC One. I am no where near that age. I value and appreciate the quality and higher standards provided by the Beeb. ITV could (and should) learn an awful lot from the BBC. Poaching BBC talent is not enough. It's about the tone, the content and the credibility of that content.

On the adverts, ITV knew what it was entering into back in the day when it chose to base it's model on advertising. They didn't have to go with ads did they.

The Apprentice has loads more credibility than The Ex-Factor. I give you the 'judging panel' for a start. At least you have people on 'the panel' from the world of business passing judgement on others attempting to enter into that field.”

Gold

As for the last paragraph - I'm pretty sure Cowell and co are from the world of music. One of them does alright at business too going by his £500m estimated fortune.

Andy Parish

31-10-2016

This thread is still filled with comedy gold, 10 years after folk started posting the ratings from Outpost Gallifrey

Leeah

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Ash_M1:
“Excuse me?!?! Old people!?!? I am a young person and I am a hardcore BBC loyalist. I have no time for ITV or their low brow content. The non-credible Ex-Factor for me? Seriously? Not a chance.”

This. I'm young too and still prefer the BBC best.

Leeah

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Dan R:
“Nah thanks, I tune in to what's entertaining, not just what's considered 'upmarket' or 'educational' or whatever else. Just because people on BBC music shows have spent 10 years studying in some elite music college & can now play Beethoven fluently doesn't mean I'll enjoy the programme or their performance.

I'm pleased you left The Voice off the "flocking to it in their millions" list. And not sure why you've put Gary's show on there when it hasn't even aired yet (I will give it a try, I like Gary). Also, you're suggesting that viewers don't flock to entertainment shows on other channels in their millions? BGT wants a word!

I've seen your other posts around the forum, you really are way too passionate about the BBC. There are so many things to be worried about in life and the BBC is not one of them.”

As you are with ITV/Cowell/Xfactor - you can hardly talk

Leeah

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Dan R:
“Good. I watched this for the first time last year and found it a load of fun.”

Wow. You missed it at its high peaks then, it's been waaaaay better before trust me. Found it a bit boring past couple of years though buts it's had its highs.

Aaron_2015

31-10-2016

You aren't a normal representative of public opinion though, you're a BBC extremist. The opinion you've expressed in this post is not shared by many.

It's fine to brand ITV 'low brow', but it makes you look extremely ignorant. ITV produces a number of high quality shows (and some crap). You can't just dismiss a whole channel because you think you're above watching it. You are probably one of those people who think they are in a higher social class than they really are...

all_night

31-10-2016

Britain's Most Watched Shows revealed, based on single showing only.

Spoiler

http://news.sky.com/story/britains-m...ealed-10639498

ftv

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by all_night:
“Britain's Most Watched Shows revealed, based on single showing only.

Spoiler

1. Only Fools and Horses (BBC1, 29 December 1996): 24.35 million

2. To The Manor Born (BBC1, 11 November 1979): 23.95 million

3. The Royal Variety Performance (ITV, 29 November 1967): 22.80 million

4. Panorama (BBC1, 20 November 1995): 22.77 million

5. The Royal Variety Performance (ITV, 14 November 1965): 21.70 million

6. Dallas (BBC1, 22 November 1980): 21.60 million

7. To The Manor Born (BBC1, 9 November 1980): 21.55 million

8. The Mike Yarwood Christmas Show (BBC1, 25 December 1977): 21.40 million

= Coronation Street (ITV, 2 January 1985): 21.40 million

10. Only Fools and Horses (BBC1, 25 December 2001): 21.35 million

11. Only Fools and Horses (BBC1, 27 December 1996): 21.33 million

12. Only Fools and Horses (BBC1, 25 December 1996): 21.31 million

13. The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (BBC1, 25 December 1977): 21.30 million

14. The Royal Variety Performance (ITV, 10 November 1963): 21.20 million

= The Silver Jubilee Royal Variety Gala (ITV, 4 December 1977): 21.20 million

16. Bread (BBC1, 11 December 1988): 20.95 million

17. The Benny Hill Show (ITV, 14 March 1979): 20.85 million

18. Coronation Street (ITV, 18 December 1980): 20.80 million

19. Just Good Friends (BBC1, 21 December 1986): 20.75 million

20. Sale of the Century (ITV, 19 November 1977) 20.60 million

= Coronation Street (ITV, 9 January 1985): 20.60 million

= Coronation Street (ITV, 16 January 1985): 20.60 million

http://news.sky.com/story/britains-m...ealed-10639498”

The official rating for the 1977 Morecambe and Wise Christmas show was 28,835,000 so I don't know where these figures are from.

Oliver_Tomlinso

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by ftv:
“The official rating for the 1977 Morecambe and Wise Christmas show was 28,835,000 so I don't know where these figures are from.”

Is that a single showing rating?

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by ftv:
“The official rating for the 1977 Morecambe and Wise Christmas show was 28,835,000 so I don't know where these figures are from.”

The 28m figure for Morecambe and Wise for Christmas Day 1977 was based on BBC figures. When the BFI looked at ratings for that period again they used ratings from the more accurate JICTAR system which ITV used. It had meters in the home connected to TV sets which measured viewing. The BBC at the time had a random sample of people that they interviewed and asked what they watched.

I bet Steve Williams can do a better answer than this!

Anyway this ratings system showed that Mike Yarwood had the highest rated programme on Christmas Day 1977 and NOT Morecambe and Wise.

seansnotmyname@

31-10-2016

Wow the preaching at other posters is probably more prevalent than ratings talk in here now, just amazing.

lewiep93

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“The 28m figure for Morecambe and Wise for Christmas Day 1977 was based on BBC figures. When the BFI looked at ratings for that period again they used ratings from the more accurate JICTAR system which ITV used. It had meters in the home connected to TV sets which measured viewing. The BBC at the time had a random sample of people that they interviewed and asked what they watched.

I bet Steve Williams can do a better answer than this!

Anyway this ratings system showed that Mike Yarwood had the highest rated programme on Christmas Day 1977 and NOT Morecambe and Wise.”

That is spot on! I also think it's because JICTAR ratings like these are widely available than the BBC's own version. Here's the top 20 for that week.

Top 20 w/e 25 December 1977

No shows from the 1960s in that most watched list?

PaulJoseph22

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Ash_M1:
“Absolutely. I loved the ALW shows. Looking forward to Gary's show in January. Why? Because he is a credible musician/composer/singer.”

That gave me a good old laugh.

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by lewiep93:
“That is spot on! I also think it's because JICTAR ratings like these are widely available than the BBC'sA own version. Here's the top 20 for that week.

Top 20 w/e 25 December 1977

No shows from the 1960s in that most watched list?”

WOW! The JICTAR list! And Yarwood at the top in Christmas week 1977.

I'd say the most watched shows list is incomplete without the opening and closing ceremonies of London 2012 and Torville & Dean's Winter Olympics performance from 1999. All around 24m.

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Andy Parish:
“This thread is still filled with comedy gold, 10 years after folk started posting the ratings from Outpost Gallifrey ”

You know it Andy! And I thought we were crazy over there when the rating for the second episode of Doctor Who came out!

Steve Williams

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“I bet Steve Williams can do a better answer than this!

Anyway this ratings system showed that Mike Yarwood had the highest rated programme on Christmas Day 1977 and NOT Morecambe and Wise.”

Well, I can't really give a better answer, but it is the case that every single reliable source now has Morecambe and Wise's figure as 21.3 million viewers, based as you say on the official ratings. That is recognised by BARB, the BFI and all other sources. The 28 million figure has been bandied around but I've never seen any official confirmation of it.

Anyway, it seems pretty obvious why Yarwood would get 100,000 more viewers than Morecambe and Wise - 100,000 kids were probably sent to bed at 9pm.

Originally Posted by lewiep93:
“No shows from the 1960s in that most watched list?”

There are two in there!

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“I'd say the most watched shows list is incomplete without the opening and closing ceremonies of London 2012 and Torville & Dean's Winter Olympics performance from 1999. All around 24m.”

Those are events that would have taken place regardless of TV cameras being present, like news events, and so technically are not "TV shows".

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Ash_M1:
“BIB...is this not mildly offensive? You imply that it is only oldies pushing zimmers who watch BBC One. I am no where near that age. I value and appreciate the quality and higher standards provided by the Beeb. ITV could (and should) learn an awful lot from the BBC. Poaching BBC talent is not enough. It's about the tone, the content and the credibility of that content.

On the adverts, ITV knew what it was entering into back in the day when it chose to base it's model on advertising. They didn't have to go with ads did they.

The Apprentice has loads more credibility than The Ex-Factor. I give you the 'judging panel' for a start. At least you have people on 'the panel' from the world of business passing judgement on others attempting to enter into that field.”

To be fair to ITV in 1955, I doubt when they started they envisioned satellite/cable TV and a multichannel era. That business model was sound to the 90s and was a goldmine.

I love The Apprentice but if you want a credible candidate you'd be looking at their CV and business plan first rather than have them make them sell sweets.

lewiep93

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Steve Williams:
“There are two in there!”

Silly me, didn't read it properly. Too early in the morning.

These lists always are always polarising. I remember I did a version of this list when we got the officials for the 2012 Opening Ceremony and the vitriol it caused when it didn't include EastEnders!

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by Steve Williams:
“Well, I can't really give a better answer, but it is the case that every single reliable source now has Morecambe and Wise's figure as 21.3 million viewers, based as you say on the official ratings. That is recognised by BARB, the BFI and all other sources. The 28 million figure has been bandied around but I've never seen any official confirmation of it.

Anyway, it seems pretty obvious why Yarwood would get 100,000 more viewers than Morecambe and Wise - 100,000 kids were probably sent to bed at 9pm.”

Yarwood just edged out Eric & Ernie and I couldn't understand why there was a tiny dip. The kids going to bed at 9pm makes sense. The 28m figure for Morecambe and Wise made The Guinness Book Of Records but I think Mike Yarwood disputed the figure even back then.

Quote:
“Those are events that would have taken place regardless of TV cameras being present, like news events, and so technically are not "TV shows".”

Of course! That makes sense.

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by lewiep93:
“Silly me, didn't read it properly. Too early in the morning.

These lists always are always polarising. I remember I did a version of this list when we got the officials for the 2012 Opening Ceremony and the vitriol it caused when it didn't include EastEnders!”

ITV always took issue with the 30m rating for EastEnders in 1986 because it was the original broadcast added to the omnibus rating. I'm not sure Christmas Day EastEnders managed 20m on the day. Just Good Friends was higher.

lewiep93

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“ITV always took issue with the 30m rating for EastEnders in 1986 because it was the original broadcast added to the omnibus rating. I'm not sure Christmas Day EastEnders managed 20m on the day. Just Good Friends was higher.”

19.5m wasn't it?

My university has access to the Daily Mail archive and I've found this article re M&W 28m from 30 December 1977. So even 5 days after Christmas that figure was being talked about.

http://i.imgur.com/gBFdDPV.jpg

ftv

31-10-2016

No mention of the 30 million who watched the 1966 World Cup Final on BBC1 ?

welshfoxy

31-10-2016

Strictly 65 million
X Factor 10k
Xtra Factor -

cylon6

31-10-2016

Originally Posted by lewiep93:
“19.5m wasn't it?

My university has access to the Daily Mail archive and I've found this article re M&W 28m from 30 December 1977. So even 5 days after Christmas that figure was being talked about.

http://i.imgur.com/gBFdDPV.jpg”

I think it was around 19m for EastEnders on Christmas Day in 1986. The omnibus was good for 10/11m back then.

Very interesting stuff. Never seen those ratings in print before. Those were the BBC figures that turned up on TV programmes for decades afterwards. A documentary on Christmas TV narrated by Ricky Gervais was the first time I heard 25m and 26m for The Get Game and Yarwood respectively on Christmas Day 1977. Months later Morecambe and Wise and Brucie signed for ITV.

445 of 881