Mr Bates vs The Post Office confirms record-breaking viewing figures

Mr Bates vs The Post Office has confirmed record-breaking viewing figures for ITV.

According to figures released by ITV, the show, which tells the story of the British Post Office scandal, is officially their most watched programme of 2024.

The first episode of the four-part drama has been watched by 9.2m viewers, making it ITV's best new drama for three years since the Pembrokeshire Murders debuted in January 2021 during lockdown.

All four episodes currently stand as the most watched programme on any channel so far this year and the series, including the documentary, has garnered 14.8 million views.

In just eight days, the series was streamed 12.3 million times on ITVX. It also broke the record as the most watched programme across all channels with 3.9 million viewers, beating BBC1's The Tourist which had 2.2m.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media & Entertainment ITV, said: "The unwavering success of Mr Bates vs. The Post Office demonstrates the undeniable power of TV, particularly public service broadcasting.

"Aside from it being a ratings hit, dramatising the story with such a high calibre of British actors has reignited the campaign for justice nearly 25 years on, for a group of ordinary people - and the entire nation is behind them."

Polly Hill, Head of Drama ITV, said: "We commissioned this drama because it was a story that demanded to be told. Like everyone watching the show, I couldn't believe what had happened. We all just wanted the drama to help get that story heard by as many people as we could.

"We are all proud and overwhelmed by the power our drama has had. Alan, Jo, Lee, Jess and every sub-postmaster and sub-postmistress are being heard now, and it looks like they will finally get the justice they deserve. ITV is proud to have told this story and to support the subpostmasters."

Mr Bates vs The Post Office airs on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.