ITV "not over-dependent" on Corrie

ITV has denied that it is too reliant on the performance of flagship soap operas Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

According to research conducted by The Times, Corrie accounted for 9.8% of ITV1's total ratings last year. As a straight - albeit primitive - proportion of the channel's £1.47 billion advertising income, that figure values the soap at £144 million. Emmerdale accounted for 8.8% of viewing and a value of £129 million.

"If you look at any major channel, the top half a dozen shows deliver 40% of the ratings," said Charles Allen, ITV chief exec. "That's typical."

The research also revealed that US crime import CSI accounted for 9.4% of Five's audience, ahead of BBC One's 7.8% for EastEnders and Channel 4's 5.7% for Big Brother.

For repeat-led multichannels, meanwhile, the figures were significantly higher; last year The Simpsons accounted for more than a quarter of Sky One's ratings.