Flight of the Conchords takes off with 412,000

The 25-minute comedy, following the lives of hapless New Zealand musicians Jemaine and Bret struggling to find fame in New York, was up by a hefty 252% compared with the debut of the first series on 9 September last year with 117,000 (0.6%).

Over the entire run the first series of the show averaged 130,000 (0.7%) when it aired in its regular Tuesday night slot at 9.30pm. Last year’s series finale on 25 November was the previously most watched show with 166,000 (0.8%).

Last night’s episode was up on BBC4’s slot average for the year so far of 101,000 (0.7%), an increase of 308%. In 2008, the channel averaged 122,000 (0.9%) in that slot.

Solid multichannel performances

The show was just one of a number of solid performances for the key digital entertainment channels.

BBC3’s Tuesday episode of EastEnders once again cleared the million mark at 10pm with 1.1m (6.3%) for half an hour. Earlier at 8pm, the channel’s two-hour coverage of the Eurovision semi-final serenaded 437,000 (2.3%).

ITV2’s movie staple The Bourne Identity got another airing at 9pm, pulling in 401,000 (2.4%) for over two hours with 67,000 watching on ITV2+1. Earlier at 8pm, a repeat of Katie and Peter: Stateside picked up 480,000 (2.5%).

But Sky 1 had a tough time at 9pm with new series Ballroom High, which sees Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke try to teach a dozen pupils at a London school how to dance. The hour-long show at 9pm could only appeal to 169,000 (0.9%).

“Talk to me KITT”

Some of the smaller entertainment channels also managed to shine last night with Knight Rider making a comeback.

Sci Fi launched the remake of the original US series starring David Hasselhoff which ran between 1982 and 1986 with a 100-minute TV movie. The show at 8pm gained a strong 262,000 (1.4%) with another 54,000 on Sci Fi+1 an hour later.

It is the channel’s highest audience for a series premiere since the start of Heroes on 19 February when it drew a total audience (including timeshifted viewing) of 589,000 (4.1%). Knight Rider is also the channel’s highest rated show so far this year.

At the time Knight Rider was on air it was second most popular digital channel not on Freeview, just behind Sky Sports 1.

Anarchy on Bravo

The launch of new Bravo acquisition Sons of Anarchy also made some headway at 8pm with the drama from the creator of The Shield securing 73,000 (0.5%) for an hour. Another 26,000 watched on Bravo+1.

The channel’s most watched show so far this year was Apocalypto on 8 January at 10pm when 189,000 (1.8%) tuned in.

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