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ITV pips BBC in corset wars
Emily Woof as Nancy and Andy Serkis as Bill Sykes in ITV's Oliver Twist |
ITV's Oliver Twist has won the first round of a head-to-head costume drama ratings battle against the BBC's Wives and Daughters.
Early viewing figures show the first episode of the Dickens adaptation averaged 8.4m viewers to BBC One's 7.2m when the rival shows were broadcast on Sunday.
But the BBC is confident that ratings for Wives and Daughters will match Oliver Twist after its drama is repeated later this week.
Francesca Annis stars in the BBC's Wives and Daughters |
Spokespersons from both channels were jubilant about the early viewing figures.
"We're delighted that so many people enjoyed the first episode of Oliver Twist. At two hours it was a big commitment for viewers," said an ITV spokeswoman.
The £5m Oliver Twist production, which began as a prequel to the original Dickens tale, features Robert Lindsay and Julie Walters.
Michael Gambon and Francesca Annis star in the BBC's adaptation of the Elizabeth Gaskill novel, Wives and Daughters.
"We're delighted with the response" said a BBC spokesman.
"And viewers stayed with Wives and Daughters with 7.3m at the beginning and 7.1m at the end. Oliver Twist had about 9.8m at the start which tailed off to 7.4m," he added.
The official viewing figures will be released later this month by BARB, the Broadcasters Audience Research Board.
These figures also take into account viewers who recorded one or both of the programmes.
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10 Nov 99 | Entertainment |
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TV's costume battle for viewers |
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