Bond loses the UK TV ratings war for the first time in a year - ITV brings out the big one next week

The Gaurdian newspaper (UK) has reported on the lastest ratings war that had Bond fighting for ITV against the BBC.

For the first time in a year, a Bond film screened on terrestrial UK television failed to be the most watched programme of the evening.

"Dr. No", which was shown at the usual ITV time of 8pm, only attracted 4.6 million viewers.

The BBC, which is usally pummeled when ITV wheels out 007, won the ratings with 7.2 million viewers for "Holby City".

In contrast, "Tomorrow Never Dies" scooped 6.8 million viewers two weeks previously, when it was screened after the watershed at 9pm.

Bond will be back in action in the ratings war next week, when ITV have pulled out the big gun - "Goldfinger".

Thanks to `Shaken` for the alert.

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