Viewership
The launch show of Celebrity Big Brother (aired on 2007/01/03) averaged 7.1 million viewers, and ratings fell to 3.9 million by 2007/01/07. Ratings quickly rose as media coverage reported alleged racism towards Shilpa Shetty from fellow female contestants; the episode which aired on 2007/01/16 saw a ratings boost with the show sharing 18% of the available audience and ratings of 4.5 million viewers. The episode the following night also rose in ratings, with 5.2 million viewers. The ratings once again rose on Jade's eviction night to an average of 7.8 million viewers, and a peak of 8.8 million viewers, which were the highest viewing figures in the history of Celebrity Big Brother' and second for any Big Brother show after the Big Brother 3 finale, which landed a record 10 million viewers. The Big Brother 3 final night was the same night that Jade left the house for the first time back in 2002.
Read more about this topic: Celebrity Big Brother Racism Controversy