ITV beaten by Five as Rock Rivals sinks to 2m

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 03-Apr-08, 11:20

LONDON - ITV1's drama 'Rock Rivals' sank to a new low last night with just 2m viewers at 9pm, giving the broadcaster a rare defeat at the hands of rival Five, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The fifth episode of 'Rock Rivals' was watched by just 8% of the total audience, becoming ITV's second worst performing programme in the crucial midweek 9pm slot this year. Last week's episode was watched by 2.2m viewers.

Only 'Moving Wallpaper', the behind-the-scenes soap series, has fared worse, with 1.7m viewers on March 14.

Last night's 9pm-10pm slot was won by BBC One's 'The Apprentice', with 6.3m viewers and a 25.4% share, for the second episode of the fourth series. Last week's opening instalment netted 6.3m viewers.

Five's 'Extraordinary People: The World's Heaviest Man' drew 2.5m viewers and a 10% share in the same slot.

Channel 4's popular home design programme 'Grand Designs' brought 3.1m viewers and a 12.6% share at 9pm. Including Channel 4+1, the audience rose to 3.4m viewers and a 13.8% share.

It was followed by the second episode from the fourth season of 'Desperate Housewives', with 2.2m viewers and a 12% share at 10pm. The audience figures went up to 2.4m and 13% including Channel 4+1.

Earlier in the evening, 'Relocation, Relocation' pulled in 2.7m viewers and an 11.5% share at 8pm. The audience increased to 2.8m viewers and a 11.8% share with Channel 4+1.