Big Brother heads Thursday night ratings with 3.3m

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 29-Aug-08, 10:40

LONDON - 'Big Brother' was the most watched programme in the 9-10pm slot for the second week running, claiming 3.25m viewers, as ITV1 put in another weak performance, according to unofficial overnight figures.

A flurry of headlines and 1500 plus complaints about Darnell and Rex bullying Australian Sara helped the show to a 15.2% share of viewing with nine days to go until next Friday's finale.

Another 325,000 viewers tuned in for the show's Channel 4+1 outing, giving it a total of 3.6m viewers and a 16.7% share.

The two main terrestrial channels had a listless night, with viewers more interested in BBC Two comedy quiz 'Mock the Week'.

The 9-9.30pm show did as well as 'Big Brother', getting 3.27m viewers and a 15% share, but the channel's performance dropped at 9.30-10pm as mockumentary 'The Cup' drew 1.37m and a 6.4% share.

The return of ITV1's 'Trinny & Susannah Undress the Nation' to Thursday night improved on the series low of 2.1m viewers it suffered last Tuesday.

Last night the show drew 2.37m viewers, earning an 11% share, but was easily beaten by BBC One as well as BBC Two and Channel 4.

BBC One's 'SuperDoctors' science series improved on its 2.8m and 12.6% debut last week with 3.16m viewers and a 14.8% share.

Five offered live Uefa Cup football from 7.30-10pm with Aston Villa beating FH Hafnarfjordur to qualify for the competition; 1.3m tuned in accounting for 6.2% of the slot's audience.