Huw Edwards’ Drama Delivers Impressive Ratings for Paramount’s UK Network 5
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards’ Performance Surges in Debut
The feature-length drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, which portrays the controversial BBC News presenter, achieved a commendable viewership on its premiere night. The film attracted over 1.5 million viewers on the Paramount-owned UK network, according to BARB figures provided by overnights.tv.
Starring Martin Clunes, known for his role in Doc Martin, the drama was produced by Wonderhood Studios. It recounts Edwards’ tumultuous journey amid serious workplace misconduct allegations and a conviction related to child pornography.
The broadcast garnered a 17.4% audience share, marking a significant increase of 12 points, or 199%, compared to the average rating for programs airing in the same 9 PM slot on the network, according to Paramount.
In its time slot, the drama outperformed several competitors, including ITV and Channel 4. The BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals led the evening with an average audience of 1.8 million.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards also fared remarkably better than previous dramas aired by Channel 5. For instance, The Trial managed to attract just 355,400 viewers last May, while The Forsytes, a series acquired from PBS Masterpiece, debuted with 904,610 viewers in October.
It’s important to note that overnight ratings are only one aspect of overall viewership; the numbers for The Downfall of Huw Edwards are expected to rise with additional catch-up and streaming options.
However, Edwards has voiced strong concerns regarding the portrayal in the drama. In a recent statement, he expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation from producers, stating, “They made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production.” He further criticized the production for only seeking his response after filming had concluded, while also questioning whether those making allegations had been compensated for their contributions.
In response, a spokesperson for Channel 5 emphasized that the drama was based on extensive interviews, assured compliance with UK broadcasting regulations, and noted that allegations were presented to Edwards more than a month prior to the broadcast.
