Strictly Come Dancing beats X Factor in Saturday night ratings battle
Strictly Come Dancing has edged ahead of reality entertainment rival the X Factor in Saturday night’s ratings head to head; pulling in an average audience of 8,4m versus the X Factor’s 8.3m.
The narrow lead marks the first time this year that the BBC1 format has leapfrogged its ITV rival, although the X Factor did draw a slightly larger peak audience of 9.5m, 0.1m ahead of Strictly.
The latest batch of viewer statistics mark a sharp dip in numbers of those tuning into the X Factor, which saw its average audience share slump from 9.2m in its opening episode a week before.
Strictly’s figures by contrast represented an increase of 400,000 on its first show of last year.
This year the X Factor has brought back Sharon Osbourne to boost the star power of its judging panel whilst Strictly Come Dancing introduced a roster of 15 celebrity dancers; including Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Vanessa Feltz.
Commenting on the statistics Charlotte Moore, controller of BBC One, said: “Strictly is back. A brilliant show launched the new series with Sir Bruce, Tess and the judges all on top form last night."