Robot Wars: First episode in 12 years beat Top Gear finale in TV ratings

Over two million people watched this season's opener

Robot Wars

Robot Wars and Top Gear shared a lot in common this year; not only did both feature brand new presenters, but both aired on Sunday night at 8pm on BBC Two.

However, where Chris Evans’s show was denounced for its low ratings, Robot Wars is being praised for drawing in a relatively large audience to the niche show.

According to the overnight figures, around two million people tuned in to watch Dara O’Briain and Angela Scanlon host Robot Wars; higher than the overnight ratings the Top Gear finale (1.9 million).

Of course, since those figures were released Evans has stepped down from the show, and Robot Wars has done little to match the motoring show’s debut of over four million earlier this year.

But, this was the first episode of Robot Wars in over twelve years, with the show having to win over a new fanbase.

Meanwhile, the night’s biggest winner was Dragon’s Den, watched by 2.9 million people on BBC Two at 9pm. Read our preview of the new Robot Wars here.