ITV1 hits lowest peaktime share of 2005

It was a poor night for ITV1 yesterday (Tuesday) as the broadcaster recorded its lowest viewing share of the year so far.

Key to the disappointment was the first episode of new IVF documentary Precious Babies, seen by only 2.7 million viewers - a 12% share of the available audience - in the 9pm hour. New 'couples reunited' show First Love, Second Chance also got off to a poor start at 10pm with 2.19 million (11.7%).

Earlier in the evening, Emmerdale had brought in a reliable 9.25 million (43.3%) at 7pm while the latest instalment of Celebrity Fit Club interested 4.28 million (18.1%) in the 8pm hour.

BBC One flourished meanwhile, with EastEnders ranking as the day's top programme on 11.51 million (50.3%). Watchdog had 5.27 million (24.7%) at 7pm, with Crimewatch UK averaging an unusually high 5.98 million (26.7%) from 9pm. Hospital drama Holby City put in 7.36 million (31.2%).

Elsewhere, Fred Dibnah's Made In Britain continued to perform strongly for BBC Two with an average of 3.21 million (13.4%). A new episode of CSI also benefitted from ITV1's misfortune with an average of 3.62 million (16.1%) in the 9pm hour. C4's competing documentary Supersize Kids made an admirable start with 2.85 million (12.7%).

Multichannel's most-watched show was Sky Sports 1's Soccer Special, which averaged 783,000 (5.1%) between 7pm and 10pm. A new Enterprise brought in 731,000 (4.6%) to Sky One at 8pm, while on ITV2, the movie premiere of The 13th Warrior entertained 562,000 (4.2%) from 9pm.

The return of Dead Like Me was seen by 534,000 (3.5%) on Sky One at 9pm, easily topping E4's The O.C. with 214,000 (1.4%). A new High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman had 215,000 (1.5%) on BBC Three at 9.30pm.

Ratings data supplied by ViewingFigures.com