TV since 1981

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 131 reported channels
2020s
2023 2022 2021 2020
2010s
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
2000s
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
1990s
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
1980s
1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981
Rank Programme Date Channel Audience (millions)
1 Only Fools & Horses 25 Dec 2001 BBC1 21.35
2 Eastenders 05 Apr 2001 BBC1 20.05
3 Coronation Street 01 Jan 2001 ITV1 16.22
4 Touch Of Frost 14 Jan 2001 ITV1 14.69
5 Heartbeat 21 Jan 2001 ITV1 13.82
6 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire 01 Jan 2001 ITV1 12.65
7 Emmerdale 03 Jan 2001 ITV1 12.42
8 Popstars 03 Feb 2001 ITV1 12.37
9 Match Of The Day Live: England v Albania 05 Sep 2001 BBC1 11.64
10 Royal Variety Performance 28 Nov 2001 ITV1 11.56

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).