Germany's victory over Austria pulls in 4.6m for BBC

by Nikki Sandison, Brand Republic 17-Jun-08, 11:10

LONDON - BBC One's coverage of last night's Euro 2008 Group B encounter between Germany and Austria attracted 4.6m viewers, according to unofficial overnight ratings.

The 1-0 win for Germany, in which Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack scored the only goal in the form of a free kick, netted BBC One a 21.1% share of the audience between 7.30pm and 10pm.

The win gains Germany a place in the quarter finals while Austria has become the third host nation to fail to progress from the group stage in the tournament's history.

ITV pulled in 4.2m and an 18.6% share of the audience between 9pm and 10pm for its documentary 'My Child Won't Eat'. The programme featured controversial child psychologist Dr Gillian Harris tackling three children with extreme food phobias, including one child who ate 15 chocolate squares and 10 chocolate finger biscuits every morning.

Channel 4's drama 'Dickens' Secret Lover', starring Charles Dance as author Charles Dickens, drew in 1.5m viewers and a 6.5% share of the audience between 9pm and 10pm. Including Channel 4+1 figures, it garnered 1.54m and a 6.7% share.

The drama was part of Channel 4's Victorian Passions season.

On BBC Two, 'Mary Queen of Shops', in which Mary Portas helped the owner of failing Cardiff boutique, attracted 2.5m viewers and a 10.9% share of the 9pm audience.

On its 12th day, 'Big Brother' matched last year's ratings pulling in 2.7m viewers and a 15.3% share of the 10pm audience. Including Channel 4+1 ratings it managed 2.8m and a 16% share.

Last year, the 12th and 13th days netted 2.7m and 2.5m respectively.