'Strictly Come Dancing' level with 'The X Factor' in ratings

Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor scored similar ratings on Saturday night (September 15).



The launch show of the BBC One dance series attracted a peak audience of 9.8 million, 300,000 more than its rival ITV show, according to The Sun.

However, The X Factor managed to score a higher average audience throughout the night, achieving a viewership of 8.6 million compared to Strictly's 8 million.

With ITV1+1 ratings added, the talent show's peak audience rises to around 10 million, while its average also rises to 9 million.

The X Factor's Saturday episode was the highest rated of the current series so far, but won over 2.2 million viewers fewer than the equivalent episode last year.

Speaking about the ratings, an X Factor insider said: "This is the start of the fight-back for The X Factor."

A BBC source also said that they were pleased with Strictly's initial ratings, adding: "These are great figures."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on October 5, where seven celebrities will be performing for the first time with their new partners.