LONDON -- Blighty's beleaguered terrestrial web, ITV1, recorded its worst viewing figures in 54 years when it achieved a 15.85% all-hours share in the week beginning June 22.
The dismal perf by the U.K.'s biggest commercial channel is blamed on a summer schedule high on repeats and low-budget factual fare.
The conspicuous lack of new drama reflects a mood of austerity at ITV, which has cut its program budget due to a dearth of ad revenue.
The figures contrast with the week beginning May 25 when a combination of live European soccer and the climax of "Britain's Got Talent" saw ITV1 triumph with an all-hours share of 25.09%.
Meanwhile over on commercial rival Five, Tuesday's launch of the seventh season of "CSI: Miami" generated 3.8 million viewers and an 18% share -- a record for the web, which is also suffering acutely from a slump in ad coin.
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