Leaders’ debate TV ratings: 9.4m viewers make clash day’s biggest show – guardian.co.uk

"The first ever UK televised leaders' debate attracted an impressive 9.4 million viewers on ITV1 last night, beating Coronation Street and EastEnders to become the most watched programme of the day.

Last night's historic 90-minute debate between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg also proved more popular than the BBC's controversial Question Time featuring the British National party leader, Nick Griffin, which was watched by 7.9 million viewers back in October in a later 10.35pm Thursday slot.

The First Election Debate on ITV1 averaged 9.4 million viewers between 8.30pm and 10pm, a 37% share of the total TV audience over that period.

Only soaps, reality shows such as Britain's Got Talent and major live sporting events attract these sort of figures on a regular basis nowadays, with the fragmentation of viewing across hundreds of digital channels."

Del.ici.us tags: tvdebates election2010 audience figures