BARB ResearchThomas Atkinson

What is itBroadcasting Audience Research BoardThe BARB was set up in August 1981 to

report on viewing figures to BBC 1, BBC 2 and ITV, at the time the only channels broadcasting in the UK. In 1982, when Channel 4 and Sky launched, BARB began collecting figures from them as well. They have been doing so for all UK channels since.

Why is it usefulTV channels would generally use this information to judge:Whether a certain program is popular (so

they can decide whether it stays on the air and how much money can be spent on them)

Whether a type of program is popular (to judge future programs on)

To see what shows should come off the air

BBC One CrimeIn the top 30 is only one crime drama

amongst mostly soaps, talk shows, news and sitcoms: Death Comes to Pemberley

It is also a period drama, set 6 years after Pride and Prejudice. It is clearly aimed at fans of the original book, reintroducing many characters from the original story.

ITV CrimeThere were no crime dramas in BBC Two’s top 30. ITV’s list included two crime shows: Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders.Marple is usually broadcast as a TV movie,

with only three episodes airing last year. The episode in the top 30 aired a full 6 months after the previous episode.

Midsomer Murders started in 1997 and has been going since then. The episode in the top 30 was the first in a new series which was starting almost a year after the previous.

Channel 4 CrimeOnly one crime work was in the top 30 on Channel 4: crime-comedy film The Italian Job. This was first released in the 1960s and was shown on Saturday evening.

Channel 5 CrimeAbduction was shown twice over the week and both times entered into the top 3. This was probably aimed at younger audiences because of Taylor Lautner’s teenage popularity.

Other CrimeMad Dogs’ final episode received a wide viewership on Sky in the other channels top 30. However, no others entered in the others category.