TELEVISION / Statistics

So it's official, at least according to the latest viewing figures; after the television soap, it is naff television that will inherit the earth. Most popular non-soap on BBC? A for Abba. Most popular non- soap on ITV? The Stars in Their Eyes final. With all the hype and humour surrounding the Abba revival, the programme audience of 8.44 million is understandable, though still impressive. Stars In Their Eyes, however, sustained a 10-week run, averaged audiences of 9 million and finished with an audience of 11.34 million. This statistic confirms early evening on Saturday as the territory of downmarket television; Noel's House Party, Blind Date and Beadle's About all thrived.