Inbetweeners bring a record 2.6m to E4

The first episode of the new series of The Inbetweeners was seen by 2.6million viewers last night, making it the highest-rating programme ever broadcast on E4.

The audience peaked at 3 million in the last five minutes, according to overnight figures, and even on its average audience it was the second most watched programme across all channels in its 10pm timeslot, behind only the Ten O’Clock News on BBC One.

A total of 12.5 per cent of the total viewing audience tuned in to the show – and more than a third of all 16 to 34 year olds watching TV at the time, were glued to it.

In contrast, Simon Amstell’s sitcom Grandma’s House, on BBC Two at the same time, could muster only 777,000 viewers.

E4’s previous highest overnight rating was an episode of Friends, which drew 2.4 million in January 2003. The previous most-watched original commission on the channel was Hollyoaks, which attracted 2 million in August 2008.

E4’s comedy commissioning editor Nerys Evans said: ‘We're so delighted that series three has kicked off with such a fantastic episode and in record breaking style too.’

Channel manager Paul Mortimer added: ‘Monday’s launch of The Inbetweeners delivered phenomenal ratings and was the best start to what is the biggest ever season on E4’

The second series of The Inbetweeners aired in April 2009, and launched with an average audience of 1.3million – half last night’s ratings.

Published: 14 Sep 2010