Jackson memorial seen by 6.3 million

An average of around 6.3m tuned in to watch Michael Jackson's memorial service last night, early ratings figures suggest.

BBC Two's coverage, Michael Jackson Memorial: Live From LA, was the most popular, averaging 3.96m (19%) between 6pm and 8.45pm. A simulcast on BBC News Channel averaged 211k between 6pm and 9pm, peaking with 428k (2.1%) at 8.55pm.

Michael: The World Says Goodbye put in a decent 1.16m (5.4%) for Five between 6.30pm and 9pm, while an average of 978k watched the memorial on Sky News over the same period, with a peak of 1.22m (5.9%) at 8.45pm.

Most of the 8pm broadcasts were affected by the clash with the funeral. Holby City took 4.81m (21.3%) for BBC One, down 580k on last week's performance. ITV1's Homes From Hell managed 2.58m (11.4%), and 1.94m (8.6%) watched Channel 4's Property Snakes And Ladders.

The second episode of Torchwood came top during the 9pm hour, pulling in a strong 5.58m (24%) for BBC One. Its nearest rival, ITV1's Ladette To Lady finale, logged 2.87m (12.4%).

CSI: Miami attracted 2.51m (10.8%) to Five, down over a million on last week's record-breaking return, Channel 4's Big Brother highlights show pulled in 1.77m (7.6%), and 1.88m (8.4%) tuned in for BBC Two's Colin Firth film Girl With A Pearl Earring.

At 10pm, Charlie Brooker's You Have Been Watching made a poor debut with just 890k (4.8%) for Channel 4.

Overall, BBC One came top during primetime with an average share of 21% to ITV1's 14.3%. BBC Two was third with 13.8%, followed by Five's 7.6% and Channel 4 with 6.2% (+1: 0.9%).

Elsewhere, Sci Fi's Knight Rider put in 153k (0.7%) during the 8pm hour. Dollhouse followed with a lowly 97k (0.5%).

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional