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Press Release
25th May 2002

BIG BROTHER IS BACK AND IT'S AS POPULAR AS BEFORE

The original and best "reality TV" show, Big Brother, returned to Channel 4 last night and instantly proved its enduring popularity with viewers.

An introductory live one-hour special at 9pm, where viewers watched the twelve new housemates enter the house, attracted 5.8 million viewers and a 25.9% share of the available audience, according to unofficial overnight figures from BARB. The audience peaked at 6.8 million and a 30.8% share. The show was the highest rated programme on Channel 4 so far this year.

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

Last night's performance is the highest ever Big Brother debut. Last year’s opening show attracted 3.5 million viewers and a 17% share. The average viewing figure for Big Brother during 2001 was 4.5 million with a 25% share. Last night’s programme also secured more viewers than Big Brother's debut in 2000, when the introductory show secured 3.6 million and a 17% share.

On E4, Big Brother proved to be equally popular. The live streaming of house action peaked at 1.3 million viewers of individuals in multi-channel home. This is E4’s highest ever rating. This beat the peak for live streaming last year, which was 700,000. Last night’s Big Brother’s Little Brother averaged 800,000 viewers for the 8.30pm pre-entry show, making it the highest rated Big Brother’s Little Brother ever.