'X Factor' maintains 'Strictly' ratings lead

The X Factor kept a strong lead over Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings on Saturday night, pulling in 3m viewers more than its rival.

The second week of live shows, which had a 'diva' theme, averaged an impressive 10.86m (42.1%) for ITV1 between 8pm and 10pm.

Strictly, meanwhile, drew 7.84m (30.6%) between 7.35pm and 9.45pm. This week's episode saw boxer Joe Calzaghe voted off.

Before X Factor, You've Been Framed and Harry Hill's TV Burp logged respective audiences of 6.28m (29.7%) and 6.84m (28.9%) in the 7pm hour.

Coverage of the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix averaged 4.5m (24.2%) for BBC One from 5.25pm, then at 7.35pm, coverage switched to BBC Two, where 1.71m (6.8%) watched until 8.50pm. Documentary Gandhi then interested 788k (3.1%).

On Channel 4, Building of the Year: The Riba Stirling Prize 2009 Live could only muster 450k (1.7%) in the 8pm hour. A subsequent screening of The X-Files movie improved the audience to 726k (3.4%), then the first Saw movie was seen by 542k (6.8%).

NCIS started Five's night with 996k (4.3%) at 7.15pm, then a double-bill of CSI: NY brought in 977k (3.7%) and 877k (3.4%) from 8.05pm. CSI and Law & Order: SVU followed with 1.23m (6.3%) and 864k (6.6%).

Overall, ITV1 averaged a share of 33.5% during primetime, confidently ahead of BBC One's 28.3%. BBC Two was third with 5.8%, followed by Five with 4.3% and Channel 4 with 2.7% (+1: 0.4%).

As usual, The Xtra Factor was the top multichannel performer of the day, averaging 1.16m (6.4%) in the 10pm hour for ITV2.

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional