Great British Bake Off loses 4 million viewers after Channel 4 move

The new series averaged 6.5 million on Tuesday night
New look: Paul Hollywood with Prue Leith and Noel Fielding
PA
Emma Powell30 August 2017

The Great British Bake Off suffered a loss of 4 million viewers after moving from BBC One to Channel 4.

The popular baking series kicked off with the new broadcaster on Tuesday night, and despite a mostly positive reaction it failed to compete with previous figures.

The new series averaged 6.5 million compared to the 2016 launch which was watched by 10.4 million.

Some 5.8 million people watched live, while an additional 0.7 million tuned in on Channel 4+1.Figures for those who watch the show on the network's catch-up service All 4 have not been released.

It marked the show’s lowest launch figure for four years, but is higher than when the show was on BBC Two.

But Channel 4 bosses are celebrating after previously revealing that the show only needed three million to break even on its £75m deal to buy the show.

Jay Hunt, creative chief of the broadcaster, last week told the Edinburgh international TV festival that she would be “delighted” to eclipse that figure.

“If it gets five, six, seven [million] I would be absolutely delighted,” Hunt said. “This show breaks even at around 3 million, so anything north of that would be fantastic.”

Speaking after last night’s premiere, she said: “The Great British Bake Off’s audience last night proves it’s still one of the country’s favourite shows.

“I am delighted millions watched the new team put 12 magnificent bakers through their paces. It’s the largest share of young audiences we’ve had for a show for over a decade.”

Last year’s final, which saw Candice Brown crowned champion, peaked at 14.8 million viewers. Channel 4’s highest ever audience is 13.8 million, for the drama series A Woman of Substance in 1985.

Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig made their debut as hosts after taking over the reins from Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc while Prue Leith replaced Mary Berry as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood.

The Great British Bake Off 2017 - The Contestants

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Great British Bake Off is on Channel 4, Tuesday at 8pm.

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