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Steph’s Packed Lunch: Steph McGovern’s talk show failed to record single viewer at one point this week

Former BBC Breakfast presenter’s new series airs daily on Channel 4

Isobel Lewis
Friday 25 September 2020 11:51 BST
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McGovern on the set of 'Steph's Packed Lunch'
McGovern on the set of 'Steph's Packed Lunch' (Channel 4)

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Steph McGovern’s Channel 4 show failed to attract any viewers at one point on Tuesday.

The presenter’s new talk show Steph’s Packed Lunch launched on 14 September, with episodes airing daily at 12:30pm.

However, the Daily Mirror reports that viewing figures reached an all time low during Tuesday’s (22 September) show, in which McGovern was joined by guests George Clarke, Jan Ravens and Gemma Atkinson.

At 12:56pm, official Barb ratings showed that zero viewers were currently tuning into the show.

Comparatively, ITV’s Loose Women, which airs during the same time slot, recorded a peak audience of one million viewers on Tuesday.

A source told the Mirror: “It was a tough call to go up against such an established and well-loved show as Loose Women and there’s no doubt the decision is hurting C4 and these ratings show it.”

A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Independent: “On Tuesday Steph’s Packed Lunch attracted 204,000 viewers at its peak.

“Daytime shows always take time to build their audience, Steph has brought a blast of energy to our daytime line-up and we’re delighted with the live shows the team has produced.”

In March, McGovern started presenting The Steph Show on Channel 4 from her front room due to the pandemic.

The show was put on pause to transfer to a studio setting, with Steph’s Packed Lunch being filmed at Channel 4’s new home in Leeds.

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