Just 1m watch Family Guy debut

BBC Two’s new Saturday-night comedy line up has proved a ratings flop.

Hopes that animated comedy Family Guy would be an instant Simpsons-style hit were dashed when it recorded just a million viewers, or five per cent of the total audience.

The same number watched American Dad!, the follow-up show from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane revolving around the home life of a right-wing CIA agent.

Both shows have been scheduled to run for 21 weeks, but they will probably have to build on their initial audience to justify their primetime slot.

Ideal, starring Johnny Vegas as a drug dealer, also fared badly in BBC Two’s new comedy line-up, attracting just 700,000 viewers – or four per cent – at 10.50pm. It had previously been screened on digital channel BBC Three.

Family Guy was cancelled in the US three years ago but was resurrected after it proved a hit on DVD.

>> Interview with Seth MacFarlane

Published: 24 Oct 2005