Things may not have gone according to plan for Molly and the United Kingdom, but at least this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was a ratings winner for the BBC.

Official viewing figures released by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) show that, for the second year in a row, Saturday’s Grand Final of Eurovision has come out on top, beating EastEnders in the process. It is the second most watched contest after 2011, when the UK were represented by Blue.

BBC One Top 10 Viewing Figures 5-11th May 2014

1. Eurovision Song Contest – 8.936m

2. EastEnders (Tuesday) – 7.663m

3. EastEnders (Monday) – 7.596m

4. EastEnders (Thursday) – 7.532m

5. EastEnders (Friday) – 7.227m

6. Happy Valley – 6.625m

7. Countryfile – 6.371 m

8. The Crimson Field – 6.327 m

9. Masterchef – 5.942m

10. BBC News – 5.853m

Elsewhere, 1.47 million Austrians saw their representative Conchita Wurst win the Eurovision title. Denmark, the host country, enjoyed their best viewing figures since they last hosted the contest in 2001 with 2.18 million people. Jessica Mauboy’s guest performance clearly had an impact on the viewing figures from Australia, which resulted in a combined total audience of 2.971 million. And 5.1 million people in the Netherlands saw The Common Linnets surge up to second in the Grand Final this year. That’s a mighty high figure for a country of 16.4 million.

15 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fatima
Fatima
9 years ago

Yes yes all very good, but I expect it’s going to be even harder for the UK to find a good act next year. Molly’s placing would have been seen as a failure, and she really hasn’t been supported by the BBC outside of the Eurovision bubble. None of the iTunes hits were play listed on Radio 1, 2 or 6. We’re back to square one.

Scar
Scar
9 years ago

When the UK sounds young artists with current/modern music then the BBC’s ratings obviously increases. This is a sign that they should stop sending has beens from the 70-80s.

Kristín
Kristín
9 years ago

As per usual, the streets of Reykjavík and other towns/villages/communities were completely empty during ESC finals…dont know the exact percentage of viewers but I do know that almost everyone I know (with or without the passion) are always throwing a party, when there´s ESC finals. Cause that is how Icelanders roll 🙂 Drinking games and bbq´s 🙂

Branko
Branko
9 years ago

Many people, e. g. in Germany watch ESC in groups of people or “public viewing”, so that could mean that actually a lot more people watched the contest as published by viewing rating agencies…

alex
alex
9 years ago

what about Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Switzerland, Russia and Romania?

89% (market share) in Denmark watched the show by the way. Huge!

Am i the only one who believes that the number of viewers in Austria isn’t extraordinary? Perhaps, they didn’t believe in their chances.

Eurovision is doing great on BBC.

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Oh sorry, back to my proposed NF for Ireland: NAME: Eirevision Song Contest PRESENTERS: I want RTE to hire JEDWARD because of their energy, performance and charisma. JUDGES: Svante Stockselius Alexander Rybak Conchita Wurst Lena Meyer Landrut Dima Bilan SONGWRITERS: Fredrik Kempe Sharon Vaughan Brendan Graham Shay Healy Johnny Logan Ralph Siegel Lise Cabbe Jim Beanz Charley Mason Rob Crosby Anders Hansson David Kreuger Julian Maas Thomas G:Son LIVE SHOWS (7 weeks. 6 semi finals and 1 final): No of semi finals: 6 (8 songs per week, 2 will make the final each week.) No. of songs in the final:… Read more »

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Hi guys

Sorry to be like salt in your tea, but what do you think about my proposed national final for Ireland:

NAME: Eirevision Song Contest
Venue: RDS Simmonscourt (5,000 people)
Presented by: I want RTE to hire JEDWARD. Simply because of their energy, humour and charisma.
Judges:

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Hi Padraig Jude

I don’t know the viewing figures for Ireland. I just assumed the 1.6 million viewers.

Padraig Muldoon
Admin
9 years ago

@Deven your figures are well off. I’ve read that the average Irish viewing figures were below the 450K mark. That figure of 1.6 million is ridiculous, considering that in all of 2013 only one show breached 1.5 million – the Late Late Toy Show (1.547 million).

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Hi guys Yeah, despite not being in the final this year, I am pretty sure that the Irish viewing figures were around 1.6 million. Which is pretty good for a country of 4.6 million. I also think that the reason that we never quit the contest is because it is such a big deal here. We are right to stay on board year after year in my opinion whether we win or we fail to qualify because I thoroughly believe that we will win within the next five years. I really do. Tell me what you guys think. 😀 😀… Read more »

paco
9 years ago

LA TRADUCION DEJA MUCHO QUE DESEAR,PERDONA EQUIPO WIWI

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
9 years ago

Did the UK only show the Grand Final; no Semis?
What does the “combined total audience” in Australia mean? Is it the combined numbers for both Semi finals & the Grand Final?

paco
9 years ago

EN ESPAÑA UN 35,2% Y 5,1 MILLONES DE ESPECTADORES,BRAVA RUTH,DEJA CAER CEJA, LA LLUVIA CAER

what+
what+
9 years ago

Wow… 40% of all Danes watched the show. Thats crazy. 33% Holland is also insane.