TV since 1981

January 2025 update: Programmes reported using As Viewed reporting. This captures viewing in both TV and non-TV homes; includes viewing within seven days of a programme’s launch and up to 35 days of pre-broadcast viewing; repeat transmissions aired within the same reporting week and by the same broadcaster group are now aggregated.


Pre-2025: Programmes reported using As Broadcast reporting. This captured viewing in TV homes only; included viewing within seven days of a programme’s launch and up to 35 days of pre-broadcast viewing; reported repeat transmissions separately.

Rank Programme Date Channel Audience (millions)
1 Only Fools And Horses 29 Dec 1996 BBC1 24.35
2 Coronation Street 28 Feb 1996 ITV 19.80
3 Casualty 24 Feb 1996 BBC1 18.05
4 Eastenders 07 Oct 1996 BBC1 17.92
5 Touch Of Frost 04 Feb 1996 ITV 17.58
6 Heartbeat 08 Dec 1996 ITV 17.55
7 One Foot In The Grave 26 Dec 1996 BBC1 17.47
8 Euro 96: England v Germany 26 Jun 1996 BBC1 17.46
9 You've Been Framed 27 Oct 1996 ITV 17.34
10 National Lottery Live 06 Jan 1996 BBC1 16.62

Those seeking to replicate historic Barb programme figures via contemporary analysis tools should bear in mind that a number of factors may mean figures do not match exactly. These include, but are not limited to: changes to data included in logs by companies that submit broadcast logs, the advent of +1 channels, the inclusion of HD viewing with SD viewing to a channel, changes to the definition of the viewing day, log amendments, data re-issues and the addition of viewing from PCs, tablets and smartphones (September 2018).