Red or Black loses out in ratings tussle – to Watchdog
The most expensive TV gameshow in UK history, budgeted at £1.4m an episode for its week long run is proving to be a gamble to far for Simon Cowell and ITV after it was usurped in the ratings war by an unlikely David - BBC1 consumer affairs programme Watchdog.
More than a million more viewers tuned into watch the long running consumer show as Red or Blacks ratings slumped to just 3.9m, 3m fewer than tuned in for the launch edition.
The nose-diving figures come amidst an ongoing furore over the show’s first big winner, Nathan Hageman – who it emerged had been convicted of beating up a woman.
Despite criticism from campaigners and charities Hageman is being allowed to keep his winnings – as producers failed to carry out proper background checks.