ITV struggles as Concert for Diana peaks at 15m viewers

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 02-Jul-07, 11:00

LONDON - Last night's finale of ITV1's drama series 'Talk To Me' struggled as BBC One grabbed a massive peak viewing share of 60% for its coverage of 'The Concert for Diana'.

Almost 15m viewers were watching BBC One at 10pm when Sir Elton John performed his set at Wembley and before previously unseen home movie footage of the Princess was aired on the channel.

The coverage ran from 3.30pm to 10.30pm and attracted an average 8.9m viewers and a 43.7% share, according to unofficial overnight figures.

'Talk To Me', starring Max Beesley, was broadcast from 9 to 10pm, and brought in an average of 2.2m viewers and an 8.6% share.

As if Sunday wasn't bad enough for ITV1, it had to contend with the series finale of 'Doctor Who' on Saturday. It elected to put a repeat of movie, 'The Mummy', up against the Doctor, and it managed 3m viewers and a 16.1% share.

However, the time lord gave BBC One 8m viewers and a 39% share.

Later, ITV1 got the upper hand with 'That's What I Call Television', featuring Julian Clary's pick of the top TV from the 1970s and 1980s. It earned a 20.5% share with 4m tuning in, beating BBC One's James Nesbitt drama 'Jekyll', which earned an 18% share and 3.8m viewers.

On Friday, Channel 4 had a 'Big Brother' eviction night, on which male model Billi exited the house.

The 8.30-9.30pm episode got 3.6m viewers and a 18.2% share, and the 10-10.30pm episode got 3.5m viewers and a 17.5% share, according to the figures.