Ratings

Ratings are of a considerable interest to many of our visitors so it’s no surprise that they’re back for CBB6. A feature that many sites have tried to imitate but none have equalled, our comprehensive reports and regularly updated table will provide you with the latest ratings news, including stats that allow you to compare the current performance with previous series.

Celebrity Big Brother Ratings Review

After the hit of Big Brother 1, it was decided in 2001 that a Celebrity version would follow, where money would be raised for charity. CBB1 was a hit with viewers as an average of 5.2 million tuned in. Every show was above the 4.5 million mark, which showed that viewers had a great interest in watching celebrities, or as many say “Zelebs”. The final, which was broadcast on BBC1, was won by Jack Dee and was watched by a series high of 6.6m viewers.

After the success of CBB1, Channel 4 decided to buy the rights to future Celebrity series. CBB2 started with a record launch average of 7.7m viewers- the most viewed launch show ever from a regular or celebrity series. However the number of viewers watching dropped quickly, with one show even only averaging 2.3 million viewers. The final won by Mark Owen was watched by 5.4m viewers, capped off a series averaging a fairly modest 4.4m viewers.

After a three year break, CBB returned in 2005 for its third series. The show did not rate too well, as only 5.4 million viewers tuned in for the launch show. Despite the antics of John McCririck the show often rated below 4.5 million viewers. 5.8 million viewers watched Bez crowned as winner of CBB3, as the series ended with a fairly low average of 4.3m- the least watched series to date, regular and celebrity versions counted.

The following year, CBB4 returned with a huge twist- one of the housemates was not a celebrity, unbeknownst to her fellow housemates. The twist captured viewers as an average of 4.9 million viewers watched the struggles of Chantelle. The final, which won by Chantelle, was watched by 7.3 million viewers- the highest watched CBB final. This series was certainly a hit.

In January 2007, CBB returned for its fifth edition- this would be the most controversial series yet. The series was hit by a number of racism scandals involving Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and former BB housemate Jade Goody. Jade referred to Shilpa as, among other things, ‘Shilpa Fuckawallah’, ‘Shilpa Daroopa’ and ‘Shilpa Papadum’. Due to the increasing controversy, the ratings for CBB5 increased dramatically. A massive 8.8 million viewers saw Jade evicted from the Big Brother house- it was the most watched eviction of all time from any BB series. After Jade’s departure, the ratings fell and the final was watched by 6 million viewers, as Shilpa Shetty was announced winner. The controversial series averaged a solid 4.6 million viewers.