Grand Designs buries rivals with 4m viewers

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 20-Mar-08, 11:00

LONDON - Channel 4's property innovation show 'Grand Designs Revisited' pulled in an impressive 4m viewers last night, beating the other four terrestrial channels in the 9pm slot.

Last night's episode saw presenter Kevin McCloud returning to the scene of an earlier programme to see whether a couple had succeeded in turning their stylish Victorian barn conversion into a family home.

It netted a 16.9% share in its first showing, according to the unofficial overnight figures, and when combined with the Channel 4+1 repeat, was watched by 4m viewers and a 17.3% share.

'Grand Designs Revisited' was up against ITV1's new drama 'Rock Rivals', which is based on a TV reality show and stars former 'Eastenders' actress Michelle Collins. It debuted two weeks ago with a disappointing 3.9m viewers and last night plummeted to 2.9m viewers and a 12.1% share.

BBC One aired Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery action movie 'The Rock' in the 9pm slot, with 3m viewers and a 12.6% share.

BBC Two's cult 'Doctor Who' series spin-off 'Torchwood' continues to perform well. Last night's instalment brought in 2.6m viewers and a 10.9% share.

Earlier in the evening, Channel 4's teatime chat show 'The Paul O'Grady Show', which this week returned from a break, beat Five's 'Neighbours' with 2.2m viewers and a 16.2% share at 5-6pm.

Including Channel 4+1, 'The Paul O'Grady Show' drew 2.2m viewers and a 16.5% share. 'Neighbours' earned 2m viewers and a 13.4% share at 5.30pm.