'Deal' helps Channel 4 gain audience share

Channel 4 is the only one of the five terrestrial channels to have increased its audience share in 2006, according to figures recorded by ratings company Barb and released by Channel 4.

The channel averaged a 9.8% all day share in 2006, compared with 9.7% in 2005. The increase most likely to be down to the success of daytime quiz show Deal or No Deal.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "Channel 4's outstanding creative strength has been at the heart of our ratings and commercial success. These figures reflect audience appreciation of our diverse and distinctive programming."

Five had the biggest loss in all day audience share, down to 5.7% from 6.5% last year. ITV1 dropped to 19.7% from 21.6% in 2005, the first time its all day share has gone below 20%. BBC One was also down on all day share to 22.7% from 23.3%.

A spokesman for ITV stated that the channel had seven of the top 10 shows of the year, excluding sports. The broadcaster, never out of the news this year, also dropped peak time viewers netting a 23.4% share, down from 25.5% last year. BBC One's peak time share was also down from 24.1% to 23.3%.

Though BBC Two was beaten by Channel 4 in its all day share, down to 8.8% from 9.4%, it narrowed the peak time gap, with a 9.2% share, up 2% on 2005, making it the only terrestrial to gain in this slot. Channel 4 was not so successful in peak time, down from 10% to 9.8% in 2006.

Multi-channel managed a record 28.2% of peak-time viewing, up from 24.6% in 2005, with its daytime share up to 33.2% from 29.5% in 2005.

The all-day percentages include audience figures up until December 22, while the peak time shares include ratings until December 17.