Within minutes of last night's debate we had goodness how many polls. We had worms. We had word clouds. We had blogs and tweets.
But one thing was sorely missing. Where were the viewing figures? Not even a rough estimate of how many people watched.
Come on TV industry. Get your act together.
It can't be that difficult to work out within minutes - or even live - how many people watched. We're living in the 2010s, not the 1960s.
.
Jump to more content from this blog
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
For the latest updates across ´óÏó´«Ã½ blogs,
visit the Blogs homepage.
You can stay up to date with Newsnight: Michael Crick via these feeds.
Newsnight: Michael Crick Feed(RSS)
Newsnight: Michael Crick Feed(ATOM)
If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find useful.
´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comment number 1.
At 15th Apr 2010, Jericoa wrote:It is not the Tv debate itself or the numbers that watched it, that is simply a new stone dropped into stagnent water, the ripples from it as protrayed by the sensationalist media may make a tangible difference.
heck not even i watched it all!!!
i went out for Pizza half way through, which, incidently, was the highlight of the debate for me.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 15th Apr 2010, grumblincumbrian wrote:Thank God for Michael Crick and AA Gill who struggled manfully against the tabloid pap in Newsnight.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 15th Apr 2010, dennisjunior1 wrote:Michael:
I wish I was able to watch the Leaders debate....But, I will have to wait for the news stories!
(D)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 16th Apr 2010, John wrote:David Cameron
All the way!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 16th Apr 2010, DebtJuggler wrote:I was down yteh poubb youy saddokss!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 16th Apr 2010, Konnolsky wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 16th Apr 2010, JunkkMale wrote:I fear that the new slot for HIGNFY made it unmissable, and hence ... scripted, presentation standard only farce vs. spontaneous(ish) comedy? No contest really.
However, if the hopefully rational, local electorate in a few weeks mirrors our new easily excited, hopeless national MSM commentariat last night and today, then things could get very 'interesting'. And in a Chinese fashion.
Looks like we will be voting for Simon Cowell soon. Oh, the irony.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 16th Apr 2010, DJDarren wrote:Konnolsky has just won at life.
/thread.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 16th Apr 2010, NessSheffield wrote:I heard 10 million on the news on ´óÏó´«Ã½ 6music
Further proof 6 music is amazing!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 16th Apr 2010, Mel wrote:errr - it has been published that over 9 million watched.
So there is your answer.
You can calm down now.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 16th Apr 2010, MusicRab wrote:I was at a Beer Exhibition last night. Did I miss something? Thought not.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 16th Apr 2010, iainl wrote:I met a man recently, and he faced the same problem as you did. He quite rightly thinks the answer is 9 million people, and Nick agrees with me.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 16th Apr 2010, stevie wrote:couldn't take much of it...switched over to Have I got News....good decision
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 17th Apr 2010, Shana wrote:The Prime Ministerial Debate is in the top ten 'Most Popular' programmes watched on ´óÏó´«Ã½ i-player. I wonder how many people have actually watched it now - probably a lot more than TV viewing figures would suggest. xx
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 18th Apr 2010, Vaer wrote:Something happened last night?
Ooh, it might help if I had a TV.
But I like pissing off the licensing people too much :P
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 29th Jan 2011, U14767691 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)