A peak of more than half a million viewers tuned in for the launch of More4 last night (Monday), according to early figures.

The channel's centrepiece, the much-publicised satire A Very Social Secretary, averaged an impressive 484,000 viewers (2.3%) between 9pm and 10.30pm, peaking at 10pm with 574,000.

Overall, More4 entertained an average audience of 269,000 between 8pm and midnight. Channel 4 claimed that the figures helped More4 rank as the third most successful multichannel launch in recent years, behind only ITV3 (408,000 in 2004) and E4 (296,000 in 2001).

“We are obviously delighted," said Peter Dale, head of More4. "For a public service channel to create this impact with a challenging schedule in such a hugely competitive market is an extraordinary achievement. This is a very encouraging start.???

Also on opening night, US import The Daily Show pulled in 216,000, launch programme More4 News had 140,000 and late night talker The Last Word bowed to 92,000.