Prison Break returned for its fourth season last week with a renewed creative energy and heightened pace. (Do we all agree that it is shaping up to be much better than season three? Add your answers at the bottom of this piece).

Unfortunately, the same incline can't be attributed to its viewing figures. Last week's two-hour premiere drew an average of 6.5 million viewers in the US, down from the 7.5 million who tuned in for the season three premiere last year. To put that into context further, the second season premiere had 9.4 million and the first ever episode was seen by a mighty 10.5 million back in 2005.

This week's episode remained steady at 6.5 million and, while the figures are some of the lowest the show has ever logged, the programme is currently leading the night in the coveted 18-49 demographic.

Here in the UK, where the series airs on Sky1, the numbers are slightly different. The third series - as you'll recall, Five aired the show for the first two years - began with 459,000 viewers but over the course of the run the audience slowly dropped off to a low of 303,000 for February's finale. Overall, series three averaged 407,000 (2.2%). Of course these figures only take into account the overnight audience for the premiere showing on the linear channel.

Season four began last week with an average of 375,000 (2%) for the two-hour premiere. This increased slightly to 406,000 (2.6%) for last night's episode.

So, what do you think? Does Prison Break deserve a bigger audience? Add your comments to this entry below!