Reality TV
'Marriage Ref', 'Popstar to Operastar' ratings defended by ITV
Published Thursday, Jun 30 2011, 14:08 BST | By Ryan Love | 8 comments
Dermot O'Leary's Marriage Ref and Jonathan Ross's magic show Penn & Teller: Fool Us both failed to win their slots on Saturday night, while Sunday night's latest episode of Popstar to Operastar achieved just 2.85m - down from the 4.1m who saw the opening episode.
O'Leary's new Saturday night panel show attracted just 11.1% of the available audience on its second week, while Ross's latest vehicle performed slightly better with 3.58m watching. Industry insiders now believe that all three shows face being axed, The Sun reports.
"It's a disaster. If big-name stars like Dermot, Myleene [Klass] and Jonathan can't help get these shows big audiences, then you're stuffed," a source told the paper.
However, ITV defended the programmes' performances, highlighting that they were attracting a younger audience to the channel.
"We're pleased that our new entertainment shows meant ITV1 was the most watched channel in peaktime among younger viewers on Saturday night," a spokesperson added.
> Andy Bell voted out of 'Popstar to Operastar'
> Complete TV ratings coverage
Watch a clip of Dermot O'Leary's Marriage Ref below:
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