The big football-centric beasts may be spending the sort of money that would make Croesus blush, and dominating the press in an Alpha sort of way, but sometimes the big news is about a cartoon princess who turns into a mermaid to visit an underwater city. Oh, and tow trucks.

BT Sports’ coverage of Spurs v Man United on Sunday lunchtime achieved 618,000/7% from 11am, its best live rating ever. However, Sky Sports 1’s Saturday evening coverage of Newcastle United v West Brom achieved more (625,000/3%), while Sunday afternoon’s Chelsea v Southampton tie (1.4 million/8%) was the best.

On Wednesday at 8.30pm, Lizard Lick Towing was Dave’s best again this week: 484,000/2%. The second best was 8pm’s showing on 421,000/2%.

Not far behind was Disney Junior’s cartoon Sofia The First with 386,000/2% on Monday at 5.30pm. This was more than was achieved by an episode of Sky 1’s The Simpsons on Tuesday at 7pm (370,000/1.8%). The best of the yellow ’uns – and Sky 1’s best nonsport programme – was Sunday’s at 6pm (523,000/2.3%).

Sky Living’s best was Elementary with 465,000/2% at 9pm on Tuesday. Next best was fellow US drama The Blacklist with 314,000/1% on Friday at 9pm.

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