BBC fails the test of time

And then BBC1 changed its calendar: Wednesday went all Thursday and Tuesdayish, while Tuesday and Thursday themselves went a bit Wednesday as BBC1 sought to negotiate ITV’s Big Week.

On Bank Holiday Monday, ITV’s traditional soapy talent schedule began with its best performance of the week. From 7.30pm, Britain’s Got Talent showed no sign of flagging with 9.9 million/42% (454,000 +1). BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow repeat from 7.30pm managed 3.5 million/15%, while a repeat of Miranda followed with 2.5 million/10% at 8.30pm.

At 9pm, it was the highest-rated Coronation Street of the week with 9.5 million/36% (672,000 +1), followed by 7.9 million/31% (474,000 +1) for the BGT results show at 9.30pm. BBC1’s The Queen: A Passion For Horses lost with 3.5 million/14%, but BBC1’s News At Ten’s 5 million/ 24% saw off ITV’s The Story Of Now (2 million/12%; 109,000 +1).

BBC1’s The Apprentice moved from 9pm Wednesday to 9pm Tuesday, achieving 5.4 million/21%; 800,000 fewer than last week.

Opposite, ITV’s Coronation Street’s 8.7 million/34% (591,000 +1) clung on to BGT’s 8.7 million/36% (387,000 +1) from 7.30pm. Britain’s Got Talent Results at 9.30pm achieved 7.1 million/28% (453,000 +1). At 8pm, BBC2’s Springwatch achieved its best rating of the week: 2.6 million/11%.

On Wednesday, ITV’s coverage of England v Ireland from 7.30pm averaged 5.5 million/25% (80,000 +1), peaking at 8.30pm with 7.1 million/32%. Opposite, BBC1 went for the female vote: EastEnders, missing from Monday, played at 7.30pm with 6.2 million/30%; not exactly stellar but BBC1’s best show of the week.

At 8pm, Waterloo Road moved from Thursday with 3.1 million/14%, 200,000 up on last week. Frankie was moved from Tuesday but 3.4 million/15% was the drama’s lowest so far.

Moving from Wednesday to Thursday at 8pm, BBC1’s Watchdog (3 million/13%) was followed by Crimewatch at 9pm (3.3 million/14%). Unconcerned, ITV barged on. At 7.30pm, BGT averaged 8.5 million/38% (284,000 +1); at 9pm, Coronation Street managed 8.5 million/36% (450,000 +1), while BGT Results at 9.30pm achieved 7.5 million/32% (306,000 +1).

While on its own terms alarmingly low, EastEnders’ 4.7 million/ 23% was BBC1’s Friday best as ITV dominated with BGT (8.4 million/40%; 467,000 +1), Coronation Street (8.5 million/37%; 581,000 +1) and BGT Results (7.7 million/34%; 391,000 +1) .

On Saturday, BBC1’s The Voice UK’s 5.7 million/27% was only just behind last week but the drop from 7 million-plus in previous weeks suggests a problem with stamina.

It was, however, ahead of Les Dawson: An Audience With That Never Was (5.1 million/24%; 285,000 +1) and in between BGT (8.1 million/42%; 460,000 +1) at 7pm and 9.30pm’s BGT Results (7.4 million/33%; 397,000 +1).

Some relief for BBC1 the next night as The Voice UK’s 5.6 million/ 27% from 7.15pm made it Sunday’s best show. ITV’s coverage of Brazil v England averaged 5.4 million/ 24% (112,000 +1) from 7.30pm, with 7.5 million/30% the 9.50pm peak.