BBC NEWS MOST POPULAR IN 2001

IN A year dominated by news events around the world, audience figures released show BBC News is clearly the viewers’ choice, providing the most popular bulletins throughout the day and 24-hour coverage of breaking news.
BBC News 24 increased its audience by 30 per cent on the previous year. ‘Breakfast’, presented by Jeremy Bowen and Sophie Raworth has built on the success of its relaunch by increasing its audience by nearly ten per cent.
The ‘Six O’Clock News’ remains the UK’s most watched bulletin. In its first full year the ‘Ten O’Clock News’ has increased its lead over ITV’s ‘News at Ten’ over the course of the year. ‘Newsnight’ increased its audience to 1.2 million.
Roger Mosey, Head of BBC Television News, said: “The public’s desire to get the latest news when they want it is clearly reflected by BBC News 24’s 30 per cent growth this year. Following September 11 even our critics finally admitted that News 24 had come into its own, providing the most comprehensive round-the-clock coverage of reaction around the world.”
BBC News 24 increased its average weekly reach from 2.1 million in 2000 to 2.7 million in 2001 – an increase of 30 per cent. On September 11, a peak audience of 7.6 million watched News 24’s coverage of events in the US, and on October 7, 12 million watched President Bush and Prime Minister Blair announce the beginning of the bombing raids on Afghanistan. (CD)