Celeb BB 2011: Massive Viewing Figures For Channel 5's Big Brother Launch

Channel 5 were ecstatic about the successful launch of Celebrity Big Brother after viewing figures gave the network one of it's best ever results. The programme aired at 9pm with ultimate Big Brother housemate, Brian Dowling hosting the show.

Celebrity Big Brother was watched by 5.1m viewers (21.9%) and easily beat off the competition, becoming Channel 5's highest audience outside of film/sport programmes. Last year Channel 4 had 5.5m viewers for the Celebrity Big Brother launch (including time shift), so the 5m on Channel 5 is very impressive. As the launch came to a close, 6m viewers tuned in to find out which celebrities had entered the Big Brother house. The new spin-off show Big Brother's Bit On The Side, hosted by Emma Willis, was watched by 1.8m (13.2%) of viewers from 10.30pm.

Big Brother helped give Channel 5 a peak-time share of 9.8% between 6pm and 10.30pm - higher than BBC 2 and Channel 4. The next three weeks are expected to lift C5's audience share, if Celebrity Big Brother can maintain an audience of over 2m on a weekday, then critics will be silenced.

*BB official website: www.channel5.com/bigbrother