What are British people watching on TV?

It is interesting to note how much TV influences our thinking. Advertisers know this, that is why so many people spend a great deal of money advertising their products on TV. It can be easy to be a slouch before the TV in both body and mind.

I thought it would be interesting to look at what Brits are watching on TV and ask how our viewing habits shape our thinking?

For the first week in May 2011 here are some stats.

BBC 1

Figures on the right are in millions
1 THE ROYAL WEDDING (BBC) (FRI 0800) 13.59
2 BBC NEWS (FRI 1340) 10.76
3 EASTENDERS (TUE 1930) 9.59
4 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) 9.13
5 EASTENDERS (MON 1959) 8.87
6 EASTENDERS (THU 1929) 8.30
7 DOCTOR WHO (SAT 1801) 7.30
8 MASTERCHEF (WED 2100) 6.60

It is clear to see that apart from the unusual "Royal Wedding" most Brits view Eastenders, Doctor who and Masterchef. The news had a high figure due to the Royal wedding.
Roughly 1/6 of people in the UK are watching "Eastenders", I don't watch this but it has made realise how much of an influence this is in popular culture. I guess the soap opera still intrigues people as they look at different narratives and characters.


BBC2

1 WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP (SUN 1900) 2.48
2 SPRINGWATCH EASTER SPECIAL (MON 2001) 2.35
3 SIR BOBBY CHARLTON: FOOTBALL ICON (THU 2102) 2.21
4 DAD'S ARMY (SAT 1833) 2.19
5 GREAT BRITISH MENU (MON 1831) 2.05
6 WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP (SAT 1902) 1.97
7 HAVE I GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE NEWS FOR YO (SAT 2138 1.97
8 GREAT BRITISH MENU (TUE 1831) 1.95

For those non-Brits Snooker is a game that is lengthy, has lots of coloured balls and is, well, a less energetic sport. This brings the viewers in though. I find it interesting that such an old programme such as "Dad's Army" features up the list so high - Why? "Have I got news for you" engages with the british political culture, and gives a good indication as to where we are at with humour and politics


ITV 1

1 BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT (SAT 2001) 9.27
2 CORONATION STREET (MON 2033) 8.94
3 CORONATION STREET (MON 1934) 8.71
4 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1932) 7.90
5 CORONATION STREET (THU 2031) 7.89
6 CORONATION STREET (FRI 2030) 7.33
7 EMMERDALE (THU 2000) 7.24
8 EMMERDALE (FRI 1901) 6.85
9 EMMERDALE (MON 1903) 6.82
10 EMMERDALE (TUE 1901) 6.74
11 THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER (MON 2105) 6.70
12 EMMERDALE (WED 1900) 6.55
13 EMMERDALE (THU 1901) 6.48
14 CORONATION STREET (SUN 1930) 6.47

I am beginning to see a pattern of an interest in all things British being a running theme. "Britian's got talent" is a follow on from the X factor and attracts, odd bods, untalented people and a few talented people, for what end? To be on the Royal variety performance although I suspect that is not the motive of most people on the show. It is more the aim to be famous.
"Coronation Street" shows the appeal of the soap opera. This a programme I don't watch but also has a high influence on people's thinking and reflects british culture.

Channel 4

1 CUTTING EDGE: MY BIG FAT ROYAL GYPSY WED (THU 2101 4.56
2 THE SECRET MILLIONAIRE (TUE 2101) 2.45
3 FILM: THE BANK JOB (2008) (SUN 2104) 2.29
4 SUPERSIZE VS SUPERSKINNY (TUE 2000) 2.15
5 THE MILLION POUND DROP LIVE (FRI 2101) 2.06
6 THE MILLION POUND DROP LIVE (SAT 2102) 2.06
7 DERREN BROWN: MIRACLES FOR SALE (MON 2100) 2.03
8 THE HOTEL (SUN 2003) 1.87

Channel 4's programmes are much more diverse. The programmes don't attract as big an audience and are mostly real life documentaries which also have an insight into british culture, so we are just watching ourselves once again.

Channel 5

1 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (TUE 2103) 2.60
2 THE MENTALIST (FRI 2104) 2.48
3 CSI - NEW YORK (SAT 2211) 2.19
4 NCIS (WED 2103) 2.14
5 THE HOTEL INSPECTOR (MON 2103) 1.64
6 THE WALKING DEAD (SUN 2202) 1.54
7 CSI MIAMI (TUE 2202) 1.48
8 NEIGHBOURS (TUE 1729) 1.42
9 NEIGHBOURS (WED 1729) 1.33

I was surprised to see "Neighbours" has over a million people watching it. It appears a high number of Channel 5's programmes are American imports.

It seems most Brits are watching soaps that portray fictional British life, or we are watching documentaries that show British people living in Britain, living out life. Profound.