Strictly Come Dancing handily beat The X Factor, as BBC One's hit programme returned to impressive numbers.
The 13th series' launch show was watched by 8.69 million (41.7%) from 7.15pm - and improved year on year, topping last year's opening figure of 8.43 million.
Strictly also peaked with 9.47 million (45.2%) at around 8pm.
By contrast, The X Factor lagged behind on ITV with 7.13 million (32.8%) with a further 389k (2%) on +1, but remained steady with last Saturday's live figure of 7.11 million.
At 8.15pm, when the two shows briefly overlapped, Strictly enjoyed an audience of 9.04 million (40.1%) compared to The X Factor's 5.44 million (24.1%).
Earlier on BBC One, Pointless Celebrities entertained 3.99 million (23.3%) and The National Lottery: Five Star Family Reunion managed 3.84 million (18%).
Casualty then impressed with 4.79 million and a 25% share from 9.30pm.
On BBC Two, repeats of Dad's Army and Goodness Gracious pulled in 1.46 million (6.8%) and 730k (3.5%) respectively, before Cradle to Grave managed 534k (2.8%).
Before The X Factor, Bradley Walsh gameshow Keep It in the Family continued with 2.47 million (12.2%) on ITV. Through the Keyhole attracted 2.88 million (15.4%) from 9.30pm.
Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys concluded with 853k (4.4%). It Was Alright In appealed to 1.39 million (6.7%) in the 9pm hour.
On Channel 5, Celebrity Big Brother was watched by 959k (5.8%) from 10pm. Football League Tonight earned 272k (1.3%) earlier.
The multichannels saw ITV2's The Xtra Factor pick up 606k (3.2%) from 9.30pm.
