The X-Files is Channel 5's biggest drama launch for 7 years

Not since FlashForward has Channel 5 seen such huge ratings.



The X-Files​' ​long-awaited return scored big ratings for Channel 5 last night (February 8), as millions of fans tuned in to see Mulder and Scully's comeback.

An average overnight audience of 3.17m (14.2%) tuned in at 9pm on Monday, with an added 330,000 (0.3%) watching on +1.

This was Channel 5's highest-rated show since the January 2015 launch of Celebrity Big Brother​, and the highest drama launch since 2009 for FlashForward​​ (what a disappointment that was).

Meanwhile, it was also up around 168% from its usual slot average, which is pretty darn impressive.

Reviews for the revival's premiere were mixed at best, but the Fox drama has received a more positive response since then. So stick with it if you were left unimpressed last night.

Mini Ratings Roundup: Monday 8th February

BBC One
19:00 The One Show: 4.35m (21.4%)
20:00 EastEnders: 6.59m (29.4%)
22:00 BBC News at Ten: 4.34m (25.8%)

BBC Two
20:00 University Challenge: 2.84m (12.6%)
20:30 Mary Berry's Foolproof Cooking: 2.66m (11.8%)
21:00 Rick Stein's Taste of Shanghai: 1.77m (8.0%)

Channel 4 (exc. +1)
20:00 Dispatches: 1.35m (6.0%)
20:30 Supershoppers: 1.40m (6.2%)
21:00 Royal Navy School: 1.75m (7.9%)

Channel 5 (exc. +1)
20:30 The X-Files Reopened: 0.85m (3.8%)
21:00 The X-Files: 3.17m (14.2%)
*most watched US drama launch on C5 since The Mentalist in 2009
22:00 Gotham: 0.82m (5.2%)

BBC Four
19:30 Grand Tours of Scotland: 0.38m (1.8%)
21:00 Addicted to Sheep : 0.52m (2.4%)
22:00 The Fruit and Veg Market: 0.41m (2.7%)