2004 TV shows fail to generate mass audiences

New research shows that the era when television was the cultural glue that held the nation together appears to be at an end, with just six programmes (in the UK) attracting an audience of more than 15 million people this year.

This is in stark contrast to 2003, when as many as 50 programmes pulled in between 17 million and 20 million viewers.

The six shows that enthralled the nation over the past year were three Euro 2004 football matches and three episodes of Coronation Street. The fall in ratings will not come as a surprise to those in digital TV homes, where promiscuity in viewing is the norm.

The change in viewing patterns over five years is even more dramatic. In 1999, 177 programmes had more than 15 million viewers. These included episodes of shows such as Casualty, Heartbeat, The Antiques Roadshow and The Bill, which would find such a feat impossible today.

"It does seem extraordinary that there has been such a significant drop from 2003 to 2004," said Doreen Dignan, the head of consumer insight at media buying agency MindShare.

Read the article: www.media.guardian.co.uk