TV since 1981

Rank Programme Date Channel Audience (millions)
1 Neighbours*aggregated, lunchtime+teatime showing 26 Feb 1990 BBC1 21.16
2 Coronation Street 01 Jan 1990 ITV 19.20
3 Only Fools and Horses 25 Dec 1990 BBC1 17.97
4 It'll Be Alright on the Night 01 Dec 1990 ITV 17.92
5 Film: E.T. 25 Dec 1990 BBC1 17.50
6 Film: A View To A Kill 31 Jan 1990 ITV 16.93
7 The Generation Game 25 Dec 1990 BBC1 16.73
8 World Cup 1990: England v West Germany 03 Jul 1990 BBC1 16.69
9 Inspector Morse w/e 28 Jan 1990 ITV 16.16
10 World Cup 1990: England v Ireland 11 Jun 1990 ITV 15.96

Those seeking to replicate historic Barb programme figures via contemporary analysis tools should bear in mind that a number of factors may mean figures do not match exactly. These include, but are not limited to: changes to data included in logs by companies that submit broadcast logs, the advent of +1 channels, the inclusion of HD viewing with SD viewing to a channel, changes to the definition of the viewing day, log amendments, data re-issues and the addition of viewing from PCs, tablets and smartphones (September 2018).