ITV1 leads Sunday night with Midsomer Murders

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 14-Jul-08, 11:10

LONDON - Detective drama 'Midsomer Murders' drew 6.5m viewers for ITV1 last night, topping BBC One's 1960s sleuth 'George Gently' and BBC Two's 'Top Gear', according to unofficial overnight figures.

'Midsomer Murders' brought in a 28.8% share of the audience at 8pm-10pm, with 'Top Gear' in second place with 21.1% and 5.2m viewers at 8pm-9pm.

BBC One had a disappointing second outing for 'George Gently', who is played by Martin Shaw, with 4.3m viewers and a 18.8% share at 8pm-9.30pm.

Channel 4 and Five lagged behind, with just 858,000, a 3.7% share, for the former's re-run of 'Personal Services Required', and 654,000, a 2.8% share, for Five's repeat documentary 'Auschwitz - The Great Escape: Revealed'. Channel 4's ratings include Channel 4+1's figures.

On Saturday night 'Casualty' achieved the best ratings as 5.2m tuned in, giving BBC One a 25.7% share of viewing between 8.45pm-9.45pm.

It was up against ITV1 detective repeat, 'Foyles War' at 9pm-11pm, which won 3.2m viewers and a 17.4% share.

'Big Brother' received Channel 4's strongest ratings of the night with 2.4m viewers and an 11.7% share, including the ratings for its outing on Channel 4+1.

The Friday night eviction episode of the reality series was more watched than BBC One's line-up. The run-up to Mario's departure from the house earned 3.9m viewers and a 17.7% share of the audience.

BBC One quiz 'Would I Lie To You?' managed 3m viewers and a 14% share, while ITV1's 'A Touch of Frost' won the 9pm slot with 4.2m viewers and a 20.8% share.