TV since 1981

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 290 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 Britain's Got Talent Final Result 30 May 2009 ITV1 18.29
2 Britain's Got Talent 30 May 2009 ITV1 16.36
3 The X Factor Results 13 Dec 2009 ITV1 16.28
4 The X Factor 21 Nov 2009 ITV1 14.03
5 The Royal Family 25 Dec 2009 BBC1 11.74
6 Eastenders 25 Dec 2009 BBC1 11.67
7 Doctor Who 25 Dec 2009 BBC1 11.57
8 Coronation Street 02 Feb 2009 ITV1 11.46
9 Dancing On Ice 22 Mar 2009 ITV1 11.31
10 Strictly Come Dancing 19 Dec 2009 BBC1 11.29

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).