X Factor delivers for ITV1 as it powers past Strictly Come Dancing

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 20-Oct-08, 11:25

LONDON - 'The X Factor' again gave ITV1 the weekend's biggest audience as its main Saturday night show beat BBC One's 'Strictly Come Dancing' by almost a million viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures.

'The X Factor' was watched by 9.3m at 7.25pm-9.25pm, with a 38.3% share of the audience enduring the Michael Jackson covers.

'Strictly Come Dancing' brought BBC One an average of 8.6m viewers and a 37% share of viewing at 6.40pm-8.10pm, peaking at 9.3m before dropping off when 'The X Factor' started.

It was enough to beat the new series of 'Harry Hill's TV Burp', which attracted 6.2m and a 27.1% share to its main commercial rival at 6.55pm-7.25pm.

Earlier in the evening BBC One's teatime Arthurian drama 'Merlin' continues to do well drawing 5m and a 27% share, compared to 5.9m and a 26% share last week, and was pipped by 'Totally You've Been Framed' with 5.2m.

On Sunday afternoon Lewis Hamilton's drive to victory in the Chinese Grand Prix was seen by 2m viewers earning ITV1 an 13.7% share.

Early primetime was dominated by BBC One's line-up starting with 4.4m (21.4%) for a documentary on James Bond creator Ian Fleming at 6.10pm-7.10pm.

'Antiques Roadshow' followed with 8m viewers and a 33.8% share, and then the 'Strictly Come Dancing' results show drew 9m and a 34.4% at 8.10pm-9pm.

'Heartbeat' on ITV1 at 8pm-9pm could only manage 5.7m and a 21.8% share.

But once the thumbs had gone down on actor Don Warrington and dance partner Lilia Kopylova, ITV1 regained the lead with 'A Touch of Frost' at 9pm-11pm.

The David Jason detective drama pulled in 7.7m over the slot, giving it a 33.8% share of the audience, while BBC One's 9pm-10pm showing of 'Stephen Fry in America' drew 5.6m and a 22.1% share.