TV since 1981

7 Day Programme Audience (inclusive of all available pre-transmission) from ‘As Broadcast’:

  • Capture up to 35 days of pre-transmission viewing (i.e. were released to BVOD first, will include up to 5 weeks of data prior to linear channel transmission)
  • Based on the TV household population
  • Will not include viewing attributed to repeat broadcasts within the 7 day period

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 175 reported channels
2020s
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
2010s
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
2000s
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
1990s
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
1980s
1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981
Rank Programme Date Channel Audience (millions)
1 Coronation Street 24 Feb 2003 ITV1 19.43
2 Eastenders 29 Sep 2003 BBC1 16.66
3 Only Fools And Horses 25 Dec 2003 BBC1 16.37
4 Tonight Special: Millionaire 21 Apr 2003 ITV1 16.10
5 Tonight Special: Michael Jackson 03 Feb 2003 ITV1 15.32
6 Heartbeat 12 Jan 2003 ITV1 12.84
7 I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here! 12 May 2003 ITV1 12.73
8 Rugby World Cup Final: Australia v England 22 Nov 2003 ITV1 12.66
8 Film: Billy Elliot 01 Jan 2003 BBC1 12.66
10 A Touch Of Frost 03 Mar 2003 ITV1 12.24

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).