ALMOST 6 MILLION VIEWERS WATCH CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER LAUNCH SHOW
 

The opening show of the third series of Celebrity Big Brother has proved the original celebrity reality TV show is as popular as ever. Almost 6 million viewers watched the opening show, giving Channel 4 another ratings victory (following the success of Desperate Housewives) and making it the highest rated show on Channel 4 during 2005 so far.

Unofficial overnight viewing figures from Barb have indicated that last night’s (Thursday 6 January 05) 9.00pm launch show was watched by an average 5.2 million viewers and a 21.7% share of those viewing television at the time. At it’s peak the show was watched by 5.7 million viewers and a 23.6% share. 38% of this audience were 16-34’s and 44.2% ABC1s.

This is almost double the usual 9pm to 10pm Channel 4 slot average, which was 2.6 million and an 11% share during 2004. The figures also compare favourably with previous Celebrity Big Brother series. The second series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2002 averaged 4.5 million viewers and a 20% share across the series, while the first 2001 series averaged 5.0 million and a 21% share.

A Channel 4 Spokesman said, “ We are delighted that following the success of Desperate Housewives, we have had another strong night and such a fantastic start to 2005.”

Unofficial overnight ratings take no account of viewers who may have video recorded the programme.

Celebrity Big Brother is an Endemol UK production for Channel 4.