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Margaret Thatcher funeral BBC TV coverage attracts 4.4 million viewers Margaret Thatcher funeral BBC TV coverage attracts 4.4 million viewers
(5 months later)
The BBC's coverage of Lady Thatcher's funeral attracted a peak audience of 4.4 million, and attracted almost 200 complaints of biased coverage.The BBC's coverage of Lady Thatcher's funeral attracted a peak audience of 4.4 million, and attracted almost 200 complaints of biased coverage.
The three-hour special, anchored by David Dimbleby, attracted an average audience of 3.2 million between 9.15am and 12.15pm.The three-hour special, anchored by David Dimbleby, attracted an average audience of 3.2 million between 9.15am and 12.15pm.
An analysis of 15-minute viewing shows a peak of 4.2 million at about midday, as the ceremony at St Paul's drew to an end, with a 5-minute peak audience of 4.4 million.An analysis of 15-minute viewing shows a peak of 4.2 million at about midday, as the ceremony at St Paul's drew to an end, with a 5-minute peak audience of 4.4 million.
The corporation received 182 complaints about BBC1's coverage, with 106 claiming it was biased against Thatcher and 76 who believed it was too pro-Thatcher.The corporation received 182 complaints about BBC1's coverage, with 106 claiming it was biased against Thatcher and 76 who believed it was too pro-Thatcher.
BBC1's coverage managed a 42.3% share of all TV viewing between 9.15am and 12.15pm.BBC1's coverage managed a 42.3% share of all TV viewing between 9.15am and 12.15pm.
A spokeswoman said that the average for the Wednesday morning slot is about 1.4 - 1.5 million viewers.A spokeswoman said that the average for the Wednesday morning slot is about 1.4 - 1.5 million viewers.
That makes the average audience that watched the three-hour funeral special about double that which would tune into the BBC's usual schedule.That makes the average audience that watched the three-hour funeral special about double that which would tune into the BBC's usual schedule.
The peak of 4.4 million is triple the regular viewing figure for a Wednesday morning.The peak of 4.4 million is triple the regular viewing figure for a Wednesday morning.
BBC News at One attracted 2.7 million viewers, a 35.6% share of viewing between 1pm and 1.30pm.BBC News at One attracted 2.7 million viewers, a 35.6% share of viewing between 1pm and 1.30pm.
BBC regional news and weather, from 1.30pm to 1.45pm, attracted 2.5 million viewers and a 34.2% share.BBC regional news and weather, from 1.30pm to 1.45pm, attracted 2.5 million viewers and a 34.2% share.
The BBC News channel reported reach of 4.4 million viewers across the day, above its usual average of 3.6 million.The BBC News channel reported reach of 4.4 million viewers across the day, above its usual average of 3.6 million.
Sky News's coverage of Thatcher's funeral, fronted by Dermot Murnaghan, attracted an average of 405,000 viewers from 11am to 11.30am, and a peak of almost 450,000, enough to rank it as one of the top 20 free-to-air programmes of the day.Sky News's coverage of Thatcher's funeral, fronted by Dermot Murnaghan, attracted an average of 405,000 viewers from 11am to 11.30am, and a peak of almost 450,000, enough to rank it as one of the top 20 free-to-air programmes of the day.
Viewing dropped off slightly between 11.30am and 12pm, to an average of 370,000, however the audience was still up well over 300% on the typical average for Sky News between 11am and 12pm over the last three months.Viewing dropped off slightly between 11.30am and 12pm, to an average of 370,000, however the audience was still up well over 300% on the typical average for Sky News between 11am and 12pm over the last three months.
ITV maintained its usual morning schedule airing This Morning, punctuated by the occasional link to Alastair Stewart covering the funeral.ITV maintained its usual morning schedule airing This Morning, punctuated by the occasional link to Alastair Stewart covering the funeral.
This Morning attracted an average of 1.1 million viewers and a share of more than 13% between 10.30am and 12.30pm.This Morning attracted an average of 1.1 million viewers and a share of more than 13% between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
A spokeswoman for the broadcaster said that while a complete analysis of ratings for news bulletins has yet to be completed it appeared as if there was no particular change in average viewing of ITV's programmes.A spokeswoman for the broadcaster said that while a complete analysis of ratings for news bulletins has yet to be completed it appeared as if there was no particular change in average viewing of ITV's programmes.
All ratings are Barb overnight figures, including live, +1 (except for BBC channels) and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, or other – unless otherwise stated. Figures for BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 generally include ratings for their HD simulcast services, unless otherwise statedAll ratings are Barb overnight figures, including live, +1 (except for BBC channels) and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, or other – unless otherwise stated. Figures for BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 generally include ratings for their HD simulcast services, unless otherwise stated
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