Doc Martin topped the ratings outside of soaps upon its return on Monday (September 7), but its audience was distinctly lower than its predecessor.
According to average overnight figures, the Martin Clunes drama brought in 5.59 million (26.5%) at 9pm on ITV (284,000/2.0% on +1). This is down by over 2 million from its previous series opener's overnight ratings in 2013. It is down 4 million from its 2011 series premiere.
Earlier, Britain as Seen on ITV entertained 2.54m (12.0%) at 8pm.
On BBC One, documentary The Queen's Longest Reign interested 2.91m (13.7%) at 9pm, while a Jeremy Corbyn Panorama special was seen by 1.97m (9.3%) at 8.30pm.
BBC Two's Great British Menu cooked with 1.54m (7.9%) at 7.30pm, followed by University Challenge with 2.49m (11.8%) at 8pm and Only Connect with 2.17m (10.2%) at 8.30pm. Bletchley Park: Code-Breaking's Forgotten Genius gathered 1.64m (7.7%) at 9pm.
On Channel 4, Jamie's Super Food appealed to 1.26m (6.0%) at 8pm (292k/1.4%), followed by Food Unwrapped with 1.59m (7.5%) at 8.30pm (221k/1.0%) and The Catch with 888k (4.2%) at 9pm (145k/1.0%).
Channel 5's latest Celebrity Big Brother attracted 1.37m (6.5%) at 9pm (174k/1.2%), while documentary Fat, Fabulous and Filthy Rich amazed 749k (5.2%) at 10pm.
On E4, the penultimate Made in Chelsea: LA was seen by 375k (1.8%) at 9pm (149k/1.0%).
