Bake Off's seven-day ratings pass Strictly Come Dancing's this autumn
Reports say Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off is out-rating BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, which has new presenters. Outlets differ on the cause and on how serious the dip is.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off is drawing bigger audiences than BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing this autumn, according to the Daily Express and Radio Times. Radio TimesN “is even pulling in more viewers than Strictly Come Dancing.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily ExpressR “is now being beaten by the likes of Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times, citing Barb figures, said Nigella Lawson's first episode as judge, shown on 22 September, had 7.1 million viewers in its first seven days. Strictly's launch show had 6.4 million in the same week. Radio TimesN “saw 7.1 million people tune in to see her at work during Cake Week in the first seven days after transmission.”“which saw 6.4 million people watch its launch show in the same week.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times added that Bake Off's seven-day consolidated ratings have stayed ahead of Strictly's since then. Bake Off's first episode was slightly down on last year's seven-day figure, but every episode since has been up. Radio TimesN “Bake Off's seven-day consolidated ratings have continued to stay ahead of Strictly”“Bake Off's first episode this year was slightly down on its own seven-day figure from last year, but all episodes since then have been up.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Right · 1The Express said Strictly's overnight and consolidated ratings are down on previous years. It put early Saturday shows at around 4.8–5.1 million overnight viewers and Sunday results shows at roughly 4.5 million. It compared these with consolidated figures of about 7–8 million for similar weeks in 2025, while noting that the 2025 figures include catch-up viewing. Daily ExpressR “Early series Saturday shows attracted around 4.8–5.1 million viewers in the overnight ratings, while Sunday results programmes drew roughly 4.5 million.”“consolidated audiences for similar weeks in 2025 were closer to 7–8 million, although those figures also include catch-up viewing.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1The Express also said The Celebrity Traitors and ITV's The Blame have overtaken Strictly this year. Daily ExpressR “Celebrity Traitors is currently surpassing Strictly Come Dancing regarding viewing figures this year.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1Strictly has a new presenting line-up of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. The Express said the line-up has split loyal audiences and contributed to the decline, and also pointed to competing broadcasters and live sport. It cited social media comments blaming Widdicombe, the cast of celebrities, or the show's age. Daily ExpressR “has split loyal audiences, contributing to early viewer decline.”“"It has zero to do with presenters. it's the poor line-up this year."” Read at Daily Express ↗
Right · 1The Express said the BBC responded that live overnight ratings tell only part of the story. It pointed to strong iPlayer catch-up figures as viewing habits move away from linear TV. Daily ExpressR “emphasizing that live overnight ratings tell only part of the story and highlighting strong catch-up figures across BBC iPlayer” Read at Daily Express ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times said this is not the first time Bake Off has beaten Strictly. Bake Off's first episode last year also beat Strictly's 2025 launch show, and Strictly's live shows all finished ahead of Bake Off's later episodes in the weekly charts. It added that Strictly's Saturday live shows have traditionally drawn more viewers than Bake Off. Radio TimesN “Bake Off's opening episode last year also beat Strictly's 2025 launch show viewing figures, although its live shows all finished ahead of Bake Off's subsequent episodes in the weekly viewing charts.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times said Lawson replaced Prue Leith, who left after nine years beside Paul Hollywood. Hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond praised Lawson's judging. Radio TimesN “Taking over from Prue Leith, who had starred alongside Hollywood for nine years before bowing out earlier this year”“hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond praising her fresh take on judging this year’s contestants.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents the story as a Bake Off success, built on Barb seven-day figures and Nigella Lawson's debut as judge. Strictly's lead is covered as historical context.
- Emphasis
- Specific Barb figures (7.1m vs 6.4m), the Lawson praise from co-stars, and the history of Bake Off out-rating Strictly.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the BBC's response, overnight figures, or other shows (Celebrity Traitors) that have also overtaken Strictly. It does not say why Strictly is behind.
- Charged language
- “whipped up another ratings hit”“crème de la crème”
- For example
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“The Great British Bake Off has whipped up another ratings hit for Channel 4” — Radio Times
“according to figures from Barb” — Radio Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents the story as a Strictly decline, with falling ratings blamed on the new hosts and a weak line-up. Bake Off is mainly a comparison point.
- Emphasis
- Overnight figures, the loss of the previous presenters, the criticism of Widdicombe and viewers' social media complaints. The BBC's response comes late.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives no Barb seven-day comparison with Bake Off. It does not note that Bake Off has beaten Strictly's launch before.
- Charged language
- “tumbled”“'viewers know the reason'”
- For example
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“Bake Off now beating Strictly in ratings and 'viewers know the reason'” — Daily Express
“has split loyal audiences, contributing to early viewer decline.” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- Bake Off is currently out-rating Strictly Come Dancing.
- Strictly has new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
- Bake Off airs Tuesdays on Channel 4; Strictly airs Saturdays on BBC One and iPlayer.
Where accounts differ
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Why Strictly's figures are lower
- Centre
- Radio Times does not give a cause. It notes the new hosts and says Strictly's live shows have usually beaten Bake Off's other episodes.
- Right
- The Express blames the new presenting team, with competition and live sport also named. Viewers cited Widdicombe, casting and the show's age.
Strictly Come Dancing other
Strictly is covered as having a ratings dip under its new hosts. The BBC said live overnight ratings are only part of the picture and pointed to iPlayer catch-up. The Express said the hosts have not commented on the figures.
“the BBC issued an official statement addressing reports of falling figures.” — Daily Express
“While the hosts haven't discussed viewing stats publicly” — Daily Express
The Great British Bake Off other
Bake Off is covered as a ratings success on Channel 4, helped by Nigella Lawson's debut as judge. Its hosts praise her.
“the show has continued to fare well with viewers.” — Radio Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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The Great British Bake Off with Nigella Lawson as judge beats Strictly Come Dancing in ratings
Celebratory Celebrates Bake Off's ratings and Nigella Lawson's debut, treating Strictly's lower figures as one point of comparison.
Right1 article
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Bake Off now beating Strictly in ratings and 'viewers know the reason'
Critical Treats the figures as a Strictly problem and gives most space to viewer complaints about hosts and casting.
- 25 Oct 08:02 First Daily ExpressR Bake Off now beating Strictly in ratings and 'viewers know the reason'
- 28 Oct 12:01 +76h Radio TimesN The Great British Bake Off with Nigella Lawson as judge beats Strictly Come Dancing in ratings
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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