TV Ratings: Football Coverage Sends Itv1 Down the League Tables

ITV1's broadcast of the Uefa Super Cup match between two non-British teams – something it was forced to do because of contractual obligations – saw the channel slump to an average of just 1.9 million viewers on Friday.

The game, between Spanish side Barcelona and Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, pulled in an average audience share of only 10% between 7.30pm and 10pm.

This was the second European match involving non-UK teams that ITV1 has been forced to screen in the past two weeks – the Champions League qualifier between Greek side Panathinaikos and Spanish team Atlético Madrid drew just 1.5 million viewers and a 7% share between 7.30pm and 10pm on 19 August.

The Champions League qualifier helped push ITV1 to its worst-ever week of ratings in the seven days to Sunday August 23, with the channel picking up an average all-day share of just 14.8%, eclipsing its previous low of 16.1% in the week ending Sunday 28 June.

A repeat of BBC1's Inspector George Gently on Friday gained 4.6 million and a 23% share between 8.30pm and 10pm, while BBC2's The Tudors attracted 1.7 million and a 9% share for a double bill between 9pm and 10.30pm.

Channel 4's Big Brother drew 2.3 million and an 11% share for its first episode between 9pm and 10pm and 2.2 million and a 15% share between 10.35pm and 11.05pm. A further 124,000 and 98,000 tuned in for the two installments respectively on Channel 4 +1 an hour later.

A repeat of Channel Five's US drama NCIS claimed 1.2 million and a 6% share in the 9pm hour.

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