Crimewatch Solved brings 4m to BBC One

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 07-Aug-08, 11:10

LONDON - BBC One topped the 9pm-10pm ratings with a Crimewatch special which was watched by 4m viewers, while 'Big Brother' again beat ITV1's Trinny and Susannah, according to unofficial overnight figures.

'Crimewatch Solved' presented three cases in which the viewers of the series had a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice, including the murder of special constable Nisha Patel-Nasri by her husband.

It gave BBC One a 19% share of viewing and its third night in a row with the best rating programme in the 9pm-10pm slot, following 'New Tricks' on Monday and 'Bonekickers' on Tuesday.

Channel 4 took second place with 3m viewers and a 14% share for 'Big Brother''s early outing. The programme earned a total of 3.54m viewers and a 16.6% share including Channel 4+1 ratings.

In third, 'Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation' registered 2.5m viewers, which was 240,000 fewer than its second series launch on ITV1 last week. Its share this week was 11.8% compared to last week's 13.2%.

BBC Two also lost viewers for its 'House of Saddam' drama about the rise and fall of the Iraqi dictator. Having debuted with 2.7m viewers and a 13.1% share it is down to 2.3m viewers and an 11% share.

Five earned 1.3m viewers and a 6.8% share over its 9pm-11pm showing of Steven Seagall movie 'Belly of the Beast', which was directed by Hong Kong action choreographer Ching Siu-tung.