© BBC
Mark Gatiss's adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells science fiction story averaged 838k (3.8%) for BBC Four between 9pm and 10.30pm, which was the third largest multichannel audience of the night.
On BBC One, Holby City entertained 5.91m (24.7%) in the 8pm hour and 99k on BBC HD, while Traffic Cops grabbed 4.37m (18.7%) from 9pm.
The programmes helped BBC One dominate primetime, after Fidlers, Cheats and Scams and 71 Degrees North secured respective audiences of just 3.15m (13.2%) and 3.39m (14.5%) on ITV1 from 8pm. The shows also mustered 107k (0.4%) and 92k (0.4%) on ITV1 HD.
Earlier in the evening, The One Show appealed to 4.44m (20.9%) on BBC One from 7pm, while Grimefighters had 2.33m (10.2%) on ITV1 from 7.30pm.
Over at Channel 4, new series Wedding House continued to 990k (4.2%) in the 8pm hour and 76k (0.3%) on Channel 4 +1. It was followed by Ramsay's Best Restaurant, which cooked up 1.1m (4.7%) from 9pm and 261k (1.5%) on timeshift. Seven Days then brought in 480k (2.8%) and 59k (0.7%) an hour later.
BBC Two's Coast pulled in 2.01m (9.1%) in the 7pm hour, before Masterchef: The Professionals had 3.29m (13.8%). Whites amused 1.48m (6.2%) from 9pm, then Harry & Paul took 1.26m (5.4%).
On Five, How To Take Stunning Pictures snapped up 419k (1.8%) from 7.30pm, and it was followed by Motorway Madness, which thrilled 1.03m (4.3%). CSI: Miami and CSI: NY grabbed respective audiences of 2.1m (8.9%) and 1.44m (8%) on Five from 9pm.
BBC One dominated primetime with 23.8% against ITV1's 14.9% (HD: 0.5%). BBC Two came in third with 8.6%, followed by Five with 5.5% and Channel 4 with 3.8% (+1: 0.6%).
Elsewhere, new lesbian drama Lip Service continued to 579k (4.6%) on BBC Three between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.
A new episode of The Vampire Diaries grabbed to 479k (2.1%) on ITV2 in the 9pm hour, while 134k (0.8%) watched on timeshift.
BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional
