Britain’s Got Talent launch episode pulls in massive 5.8 million viewers making it ITV’s biggest overnight of the year so far…
Made by Thames Television, which in the past gave the network talent showcases such as Opportunity Knocks, the format of bringing those with a great ability – or entirely lacking it – has proved once more a ratings banker for ITV1 and STV.
The launch episode of series seventeen of Britain’s Got Talent last night peaked with an impressive 5.8 million viewers (5m Ave.) with a 39% share, making it ITV’s biggest overnight audience of the year so far since The FA Cup quarter-final match last month which garnered 5.5 million viewers.
BGT: Episode One: The Ssaulabi Performance troupe wowed the audience. / Thames / ITV
BGT: ‘The Trickstars’ proved a hit with the judges / Thames / ITV
The opening episode, hosted by Ant and Dec, was watched by over 642,000 16-34 year olds achieving a 42% share of viewing. In addition, BGT content created for pre-launch and from auditions has so far garnered over 17 million video views ITV note.
Britain’s Got Talent is one of the biggest entertainment shows in ITV’s history. Across the years it has reached more than 55 million viewers and 143 of its episodes have exceeded 10 million viewers each.
“Every year for 16 years, BGT has been in ITV’s top five overnight audiences and for the past six series (as far as streaming records go back), it has been streamed 80 million times.” – ITV
Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight at 7:40pm on ITV1, STV, STV Player and ITVX