The new line-up gave ITV1 the lion's share of the audience, with former BBC One favourites trailing. 'Total Wipeout' managed an average audience of 2.7m and a 14% share at 6.40pm-7.40pm, compared to its usual total around the 4.5m mark, and 'The National Lottery: Guesstimation' brought in 2.3m and an 11% share at 7.40pm-8.30pm.
But 'X-Factor' at 7pm-8.30pm took a 48% share of viewing and Philip Schofield-fronted gameshow 'The Cube' debuted at 8.30pm-9.30pm with 27%. It started with 6.1m viewers and finished with 4.9m.
There were negatives for ITV1, with 'X-Factor' not quite matching the record first show audience of 10.2m that it managed last series. The broadcaster attributed this to the good weather on Saturday.
Another worry is the reception for the new format of the auditions, which Simon Cowell changed from a private audience with the judges and no backing track to stop 'X-Factor' becoming "stale" in its sixth series.
Hopefuls now audition in a mini-arena with a live audience of hundreds and a backing track.
The change has met with critical comments at the and from the Daily Mirror's TV critic Polly Hudson, who said she wanted to see "the journey" that contestants go on from the auditions to boot camp to singing in front of a live audience.
Hudson said: "But now that's the first thing the contestants do, so what are the next eight thousand weeks leading up to? They blew the money shot before the first ad break."
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