'Gossip Girl' return hits high for ITV2

Gossip Girl hit a new season high for ITV2 last night, according to early viewing figures.

The first new episode of 2010, which aired in a new 9pm timeslot, pulled in 249k (1%), with a further 39k (0.2%) tuning in on timeshift. Over its 13-episode run, Gossip has averaged 173k (0.8%).

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Elsewhere last night, MasterChef logged 3.84m (15.7%) for BBC One at 8pm, then the audience dipped to 3.59m (14.6%) during the 9pm screening of Famous, Rich and Jobless.

BBC Two's Lambing Live took 2.43m (9.9%) at 8pm, then Inside John Lewis grabbed 2.73m (11.1%) during the 9pm hour.

ITV1's coverage of Manchester United's game against AC Milan averaged 7.41m (30.8%) between 7.30pm and 10pm.

Relocation, Relocation had 1.87m (7.6%) for Channel 4 at 8pm, 1.32m (5.4%) watched Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA at 9pm, and the 10pm screening of Desperate Housewives attracted 1.37m (8.2%).

A repeat of Five's Jack The Ripper: Tabloid Killer - Revealed interested 855k (3.5%) during the 8pm hour, then the audience climbed to 2.07m (8.4%) during the 9pm screening of NCIS.

Overall, ITV1 dominated primetime with an average share of 27.1% to BBC One's 17.5%. BBC Two was third with 9.6%, followed by Channel 4 with 5.9% (+1: 0.9%) and Five's 5%.

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional