TELEVISION / Statistics

Latest viewing figures show a drop in audiences for the Embassy World Snooker Championships. Despite the presence of Jimmy White, the penultimate day of the competition (BBC2) was watched by only 4.66 million, a 2.26 million drop on last year and a 1.32 million drop on 1991. Large audiences clearly correlate with the level of excitement generated by the final, but this year's figures are not nearly as high as those of eight years ago, the Dennis Taylor vs Steve Davis final, which drew 14.4 million. Frank Bruno, though, is always an audience-puller, be it pantomime or boxing. His latest fight, against Carl 'the Truth' Williams, was watched by 13.99 million. Sky Sports' figure for the all-important England vs Holland international, 0.98 million, compares unfavourably here, but the statistic should be taken lightly. With pubs packed, and numerous viewers per television, exactly how many watched the game is anyone's guess.

Figures for week ending 2 May

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