Disappointing start for new '24' on Sky One

Despite a huge marketing campaign, the new season of 24 got off to a disappointing start on Sky One last night (Sunday).

Early ratings figures show that an average of 610,000 viewers - a 3.5% share of the multichannel audience - tuned in for the first episode at 9pm. The second, screened from 9.55pm, averaged 620,000 (4.1%).

The peak audience came just after 10pm, when 680,000 (4.2%) were watching.

The numbers are down around 400,000 on the premiere of the third season in 2004.

The programme was also simulcast free-to-air to an estimated 5 million households via Sky Travel on Freeview, but only 48,000 (0.4%) were tempted.

Other less promoted shows such as Stargate Atlantis have pulled in more than 1 million viewers in recent months.

One possible reason behind 24's slow start is the success of ITV1's Sunday night drama premiere Ahead of the Class. The programme, which starred Julie Walters as a headmistress tackling the problems of an unruly school, drew a peak audience of 10.3 million viewers.