‘Big Brother’ new season opener is least watched ever

Big Brother returned for its 21st season on ITV2 on Sunday (October 6), and drew its lowest opening night viewing ratings ever.

The new series is the second to have been aired on ITV since the network acquired the rights to the reality show, and the opening episode was aired on ITV2, hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best.

The show drew only 825,000 viewers during its live broadcast, well down on the 2.5million viewers for the equivalent show last year, although that one was simulcast on ITV1.

RATINGS! #BBUK launched on ITV2 last night with 825k viewers (8.1%), peaking just under a million. It had a huge 25% share of 16-34’s. Late & Live pulled 370k.

As expected, it’s the lowest ever opener for the show, but is on par with last years overnight series average pic.twitter.com/GZDRw7tSJi

— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) October 7, 2024

25% of viewers for the 2024 launch fell in the 16-34 age bracket, and the overall number is largely in line with the overnight season average for the 2023 season. The above numbers also do not factor in viewers that watched the show on the streaming platform ITVX, or caught up with it later on.

16 competitors entered the custom-built Big Brother house on the show, all hoping to eventually pick up the £100,000 prize in the show’s finale in 41 days’ time.

In the episode, housemates were split into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ groups, later learning that the former group were being classified as ‘non-housemates’, and were sent into ‘storage’, where they will have to compete against each other for housemate status.

Many social media users were quick to defend Big Brother’s overnight ratings, arguing that there are extenuating circumstances for the decline in numbers.

“This isn’t bad considering it doesn’t include ITVX viewers,” wrote one. “Also we have to remember that last year both launches were on ITV1!!”

This isn't bad considering it doesn't include ITVX viewers….. Also we have to remember that last year both launches were on ITV1!! #BBUK https://t.co/c1aKupyBcN

— Lewis (@lewisjsloman) October 7, 2024

See some other reactions below:

I know this is considered an abysmal rating for Big Brother, but for an ITV2 show in 2024? I'm sure I read some of their new shows only got about 100K #BBUK https://t.co/qyk44MYkfg pic.twitter.com/YIwIBZHBnL

— teened tomatoes (@BRATTYBARBl) October 7, 2024

ITV2 is sold solely on 16-34s so a 25% share ITV will be very happy with (which rises to a 28% share for Late & Live). #BBUK https://t.co/8VN2hQx0AI

— Big Brother Zone (@tvzonebbuk) October 7, 2024

A lot higher than I expected to be honest. People need to realise this is a great figure for ITV2, it was to be expected to (likely) be under 1m due to it not launching on ITV1 as well. ITVX will add a good amount too.

— BIGBROTHER+ (@itsbbplus) October 7, 2024

The ratings did not stop some others from rejoicing at the show’s struggles, however. “I feel like unless this series is amazing (unlikely) then it’s going to be canned soon. Not surprising also given the fact that ITV did absolutely nothing to promote the series launch.”

Oh yikes I feel like unless this series is amazing (unlikely) then it’s going to be canned soon. Not surprising also given the fact that ITV did absolutely nothing to promote the series launch https://t.co/TUAZOGYyRn

— mary queen of thots (@txbamxnmicxh_s) October 7, 2024

Check out some other feedback here:

Those #BBUK ratings… oh dear

— Dylan (@HausOfDylan95) October 7, 2024

I wanted housemates with missing teeth, dodgy tattoos and behavioural problems, pack this in! I will not be watching #BBUK https://t.co/Koj3MbLsIs

— Villanelle’s Hair Pin (@raccoonpugg) October 7, 2024

This season of Big Brother is expected to conclude on November 15.

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