Ratings Hell for ITV1's Kitchen

The return of ITV1's cookery show Hell's Kitchencould only serve up a lukewarm ratings dish of 3.6m viewers, a share of 17.1% in a 9pm slot. [ALL]

The return of ITV1's cookery show Hell's Kitchencould only serve up a lukewarm ratings dish of 3.6m viewers, a share of 17.1% in a 9pm slot.

The first 90-minute edition of the third series, now fronted by French chef Marco Pierre White, saw its audience yo-yo up and down over the time it was on air.

It started with 3.8m (17.4%) in the first 15 minutes; it then slipped to 3.5m (15.8%) at 9.45pm only to regain some ground at 10pm by hitting 3.8m (19.4%). In the last quarter of an hour it then slipped to a low of 3.2m (17.6%).

It was below the commercial network's slot average for the year so far of 4.6m (20.4%) and was considerably down on the launch show of the second series on 18 April 2005, which drew a sizeable 5.9m (27%).

The second series had an average of 4.4m (20%).

Silent but deadly

Hell's Kitchenwas no match for the BBC1 ratings juggernaut, Silent Witness. The 60-minute drama grabbed a hefty 6.5m (29.7%), enough to completely dwarf the remaining terrestrial channels.

BBC2 and Channel 4 were neck and neck at 9pm. The second instalment of C4's Dumpedgained 1.7m (7.6%), a drop of 700,000 viewers on Sunday's (2 September) opening show.

The launch of BBC2's Grandad's Back in Business, in the same slot, had the same audience size and share.

Trailing the field at 9pm was the return of Five's documentary strand Extraordinary People. The hour long programme 7/7 - the Man Who Should Be Deadgained a disappointing 702,000 (3.1%).

In the past, audiences for the strand have fluctuated quite considerably but the previous series gained an average of 1.7m (6.9%). The Twins Who Share a Bodyon 19 February this year secured an impressive 3.2m (12.4%), the most watched programme ever in the strand.

Gearing up

Five's Extraordinary Peoplewas only one of a handful of new or returning shows to the channel as the terrestrial broadcaster got its autumn line up underway.

Kicking off its new look to Monday evenings was RSPCA: Have You Got What it Takes?at 6.30pm. The half hour show gained 383,000 (2.3%).

Following on after the news at 7.30pm was Inferno 999with 467,000 (2.3%).

This was followed at 8pm with the return of the channel's motoring show Fifth Gear,which pulled in 809,000 (3.6%) over an hour.

At 10pm, after Extraordinary People,a new edition of MacIntyre's Big Stingat 10pm interested 799,000 (5.2%).

Despite Five's new line up it couldn't really trouble either of its nearest rivals.

BBC2's quiz Mastermindat 7.30pm grabbed 1.8m (8.8%) while University Challenge at 8pm managed 2.7m (12.8%).

TV chef Nigella Lawson returned for a new series at 8.30pm with Nigella Expressbringing in a decent 2.7m (12%). The return of Aussie sitcom Kath and Kimat 10pm amused 950,000 (4.9%).

C4's re-run of 9/11: The Miracle of Stairway Bat 8pm picked up 1.4m (6.3%) while its western movie The Quick and the Deadat 10pm won over 1.2m (11.4%).

Right up your Street

ITV1's double helping of Coronation Streetonce again dominated the early part of peaktime. The episode at 7.30pm gained 9m (45.4%) while the second, an hour later, appealed to 8.9m (39.2%).

BBC1's EastEndersat 8pm found 8.5m (39.7%).

Daytime newcomers

ITV1 newcomer The Alan Titchmarsh Show Livelaunched at 3pm, bringing in 775,000 (12.6%), below the slot average of 914,000 (12.8%).

BBC1's All Saintsat 2.35pm gained 1m (18.1%) for 45 minutes with a five minute news update at 3.20pm on 705,000 (11.9%). BBC1's repeat of children's show LazyTownat 3.25pm had 436,000 (6.8%). C4's Countdownat 3.25pm had 920,000 (13.8%).

Later on at 5.25pm C4's Come Dine with Melaunched with 1.5m (13%) for 35 minutes. It managed to get the upper hand over ITV1's That Anthony Cotton Showwith 1.2m (11.3%) but couldn't surpass either of the BBC's terrestrial channels.

BBC2's Identityat 5.15pm had 1.6m (13.8%). Head and shoulders above everyone else though was BBC1's Neighboursat 5.35pm with 2.3m (19%).

All hours shares for Monday 3 September 2007: BBC1 - 22.7%, ITV1 - 20.4%, C4 - 8.3%, BBC2 - 8.2%, Five - 4.1%, multichannel - 36.3%.