[*mazedsalv**]

Very decent ratings! It came 2nd in its slot only beaten by Silent Witness on BBC1. It apparently peaked in the middle of the show at 3.9m.

And for Dan, as you asked, nope, it didn't go below 3m without +1. It was 3.09m, and then with 178,000 on +1.

[Kai Anders]

Thought I'd post this in case anyone else was confused with all the numbers.

Channel 5's latest series opened with an average audience of 3.09m (15.4%) at 9pm, with a further 178,000 (1.4%) tuning in on +1. Bit on the Side entertained 968k (11.0%) at 11pm.

3.09m (15.4%) on C5
+
178,000 (1.4%) on C5+1
=
3.26m (16.8%)

Bit On The Side got 968K (11.0%)

It is just shy of last Januarys launch of 3.18m (exc. +1) however is well up on the 2.24m from the previous summer launch (exc. +1)

At the same time

BBC One - Silent Witness - 6.42m (27.6%)
BBC Two - Supercars Vs. Used Cars - 1.82m (7.8%)
C4 - 24 Hours in A&E - 1.72m (7.4%)

Imo, a 15% share for CBB (exc. +1) is excellent, it has near doubled both Channel 4 and BBC Two, and I suspect BBC One took a small dent. An 11% share for BOTS is equally great at such a late time. I believe, as with the last january series, this is one of the series that will continue to grow in ratings as more and more drama or stories unfold!