On 17 August 2010, BBC2 launched a little show about baking. With 2.2 million/9%, it was a share point behind the 8pm slot average.

Great British Bake Off

On 26 October 2016, it finished on BBC1 with numbers that Channel 4 will never be allowed to forget. And if C4 was fretting about following that, it might also be wondering about its sci-fi  hit Humans, which returned rather underpowered.

BBC1: The Great British Bake Off

BBC1’s final ever episode of The Great British Bake Off consolidated to 15.9 million/53% on Wednesday 26 October at 8pm after 1.9 million/14% compared watched; its best ever and the best with 3.4 million/26% for series rating anywhere since the peak of the 2012 Olympics.

Outside of the tent, 2016’s best was ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent on 16 April (12.5 million/51%). Bake Off’s ABC1 rating (9.5 million/62%) was also the year’s best so far, beating BBC1’s Sherlock on New Year’s Day (7.6 million/51%). Overall, Bake Off averaged 13.6 million/50% individuals, 3.4 million/62% 16-34s and 8.1 million/59% ABC1 adults. Crikey.

C4: Humans

C4’s second series of Humans began on 30 October at 9pm with 3.4 million/13% after 1.3 million recorded and watched. This is lower than any of the first series, which averaged 4.7 million/18%, having launched with a still-unbeaten 6.2 million/23% on 14 June 2015. Series two’s launch achieved 979,000/22% for 16-34s, compared with 1.6 million/32% for series one’s opener. ABC1 Adults were also down: 1.9 million/14% compared with 3.4 million/26% for series one’s launch.

BBC2: The Fall

The final episode of BBC2’s third series of The Fall drew 3.1 million/ 13% in its one and only Friday night slot (28 October) after 1.3 million recorded and watched. Thursday’s regularly-scheduled penultimate episode drew 3.4 million/12% at 9pm after 1.4 million recorded and watched. This series’ best performer was 29 September’s opener: 3.5 million/14%. Overall, the series averaged 3.3 million/12%, on par with autumn 2014’s second series (3.3 million/13%). Spring 2013’s inaugural series remains the best, averaging 4.3 million/16%.

ITV: Cold Feet

ITV’s returning drama Cold Feet finished on Monday at 9pm with 6.8 million/26% after 1.7 million recorded and watched. Overall, it averaged 6.9 million/27%. The opener on 5 September was ITV’s best performing drama episode this year with 8.5 million/32%. The series averaged 3.9 million/ 31% ABC1 adults and 771,000/ 18% 16-34s.

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