April boost in TV viewing figures

Britain's Got Talent is drawing big crowds to commercial TV

Television viewing in the UK saw a 10% jump in April compared with the same month last year.

Viewers tuned in for a daily average of three hours and 45 minutes, according to figures from UK ratings measurement company Barb.

Shows like Coronation Street and Britain's Got Talent attracted two hours and 21 minutes of daily viewing to commercial TV channels.

The viewing figures do not include those watching via the web or mobiles.

According to industry body Thinkbox, the time spent watching the commercial channels is the highest since 2003, and the best start to the year in 15 years.

Easter viewing across all channels was also at a record high, peaking at just under four-and-a-half hours daily .

Barb's monthly report said that viewing figures usually peak in the winter and are at their lowest during the summer.

"Unsurprisingly, viewing tends to rise if the weather is poor and fall if the weather is fine," said the report.

According to a Met Office spokesman, April's weather was fairly average, with 15% more rain than usual, but also 12% more sunshine. Temperatures were "not exceptional", he said.