ITV’s Cilla Black biopic starring Sheridan Smith began with nearly 7 million viewers, the broadcaster’s best-rating new drama since last year’s Broadchurch.
The three-part drama Cilla, written by Jeff Pope, whose credits include ITV’s Fred West drama Appropriate Adult and Steve Coogan film Philomena, was watched by 6.7 million viewers, a 29.7% share of the audience, between 9pm and 10pm on Monday.
ITV’s biggest new drama launch of 2014, it was up nearly 50% on ITV’s three-month slot average and beat BBC1’s New Tricks, now into its 11th series, which drew 4.2 million viewers, an 18.8% share.
Another new drama, E4’s Glue, by Skins writer Jack Thorne, began with 616,000 viewers, a 4% share, between 10pm and 11pm. The first of an eight-part series, starring Jordan from Rizzle Kicks, it was more than double (124%) E4’s slot average.
Other new series debuting on Monday included Channel 4’s Jon Richardson Grows Up, which was watched by 877,000 viewers, a 5.7% share, between 10pm and 11pm, and Channel 5’s Ultimate Police Interceptors, with 877,000 viewers (4%) between 8pm and 9pm.
BBC1’s Panorama about the Scottish independence drew had 2.1 million viewers (9.4%) between 8.30pm and 9pm, with another referendum show, Kevin Bridges - What’s the Story: Referendum Special, seen by 1.4 million viewers (13.9%) between 10.35pm and 11.35pm.
All ratings are Barb overnight figures, including live, +1 (except for BBC channels) and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, or other – unless otherwise stated. Figures for BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 generally include ratings for their HD simulcast services, unless otherwise stated
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