It is ITV's biggest new drama in over a decade
According to figures released by ITV, the show, which tells the story of the British Post Office scandal, is officially the most watched programme so far in 2024 and it is ITV's biggest new drama in over a decade – even beating Downton Abbey's 2010 launch.
The first episode of the four-part drama has been watched by 10.9m viewers, while the series has now averaged 9.8m viewers across all four episodes, with the first three episodes having been watched by over 10.6m viewers.
All four episodes currently stand as the most watched programme on any channel so far this year and the series, including the documentary, has garnered 16.6m streams on ITVX.
The series is the biggest drama across all channels since series 6 of Line of Duty on BBC One in 2021 and it's the biggest new drama since Bodyguard on BBC One in 2018.
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media & Entertainment ITV, said: "The unwavering success of Mr Bates vs. The Post Office demonstrates the undeniable power of TV, particularly public service broadcasting.
"Aside from it being a ratings hit, dramatising the story with such a high calibre of British actors has reignited the campaign for justice nearly 25 years on, for a group of ordinary people - and the entire nation is behind them."
Polly Hill, Head of Drama ITV, said: "We commissioned this drama because it was a story that demanded to be told. Like everyone watching the show, I couldn't believe what had happened. We all just wanted the drama to help get that story heard by as many people as we could.
"We are all proud and overwhelmed by the power our drama has had. Alan, Jo, Lee, Jess and every sub-postmaster and sub-postmistress are being heard now, and it looks like they will finally get the justice they deserve. ITV is proud to have told this story and to support the subpostmasters."
Mr Bates vs The Post Office airs on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
