Latest 'X Factor' draws 9 million

The latest episode of The X Factor drew more than 9 million viewers last night (Saturday), according to early figures.

The fourth episode, which featured the Glasgow round of auditions, pulled in a hefty 9.02m (42.8%) average in an earlier, 6.50pm timeslot. The figures are up around 800,000 on last week, when warm weather made a slight dent in the audience.

On BBC One, the second annual Eurovision Dance Contest was seen by an average of 4.73m (22%) between 8pm and 10.15pm. The ratings for the contest, which was won by Poland, are up significantly on the inaugural year's 3.8m (18%).

The danceathon was also BBC One's highest-rated programme of the day. Immediately prior, a ten-minute National Lottery draw had 4.43m (20.7%) and up against The X Factor, a repeat of The Weakest Link put in 3.26m (15.5%) from 6.50pm.

ITV1 entertained 4.5m (25.8%) with Funniest Ever You've Been Framed! from 5.50pm, then post-X Factor, a screening of the 2005 King Kong remake held an impressive 4.41m (21.9%) between 7.50pm and 11.15pm. The movie was the most-watched film of the day, just ahead of BBC One's early evening showing of Shrek, which had 4.29m (25.8%) from 5.15pm.

Channel 4's disaster movie Volcano, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche, managed 1.17m (5.4%) from 8pm. The subsequent screening of alien thriller The Abyss was less popular, however, with an average of just 692,000 (5%) from 9.55pm to 12.35am. Earlier, September 11-themed documentary 9/11: Ground Zero Underworld delivered 920,000 (4.3%) in the 7pm hour.

Five's US lineup put in reliably decent numbers, led by 1.47m (6.9%) for CSI in the 9pm hour. NCIS had 1.29m (5.9%) in the 8pm hour and at 10pm, Law & Order: Criminal Intent logged 962,000 (5.2%).

Dad's Army was BBC Two's all-day top performer, with an average of 2.26m (10.4%) at 8pm. The ensuing repeat of Coast had 1.88m (8.7%), then Have I Got Old News For You amused 1.93m (9.1%) from 9.30pm. At 10pm, a rerun of Mock The Week brought in 1.71m (8.4%).

The Xtra Factor amassed a mighty 1.24m (6.5%) for ITV2 from 7.50pm to rank as the number one multichannel show of the day. A further 143,000 (0.8%) watched on ITV2+1. At 9pm, a repeat of the two-hour Ghosthunting with Paul O'Grady and Friends spooked 307,000 (1.8%) and 79,000 (0.6%).

Coverage of England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra was a ratings hit for Setanta Sports 1. The game, which Fabio Capello's side won 2-0, averaged 641,000 (3.5%) between 6.30pm and 9.45pm. Overnight figures do not take into account the audience watching in pubs, clubs and bars.

ITV3 had a strong Saturday night, starting with 473,000 (2.5%) for a vintage Inspector Morse at 6.55pm. A two-hour Taggart then notched up 613,000 (3.4%) from 9pm.

BBC Three peaked with 517,000 (3.2%) for Most Annoying Couples between 9pm and 11.30pm. An ensuing Family Guy double bill had 431,000 (4.6%) and 449,000 (5.7%).