TV since 1981

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 338 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 World Cup 2018: Croatia v England 11 Jul 2018 ITV (Total) 20.73
2 World Cup 2018: Sweden v England 07 Jul 2018 BBC 1 17.40
3 World Cup 2018: Columbia v England 03 Jul 2018 ITV (Total) 17.22
4 World Cup 2018: Tunisia v England 18 Jun 2018 BBC 1 16.87
5 Bodyguard 23 Sep 2018 BBC 1 14.34
6 I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here! 18 Nov 2018 ITV (Total) 13.69
7 World Cup 2018: England v Belgium 28 Jun 2018 ITV (Total) 13.64
8 World Cup 2018: Post-match 07 Jul 2018 BBC 1 13.44
9 World Cup 2018: England v Panama 24 Jun 2018 BBC 1 12.89
10 Strictly Come Dancing: The Final 15 Dec 2018 BBC 1 12.86

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).