[Score]

The Voice had a better average but only because it started high (after a barren few months of Bond films on Saturday nights) and also benefited from a few weeks of itself having no competition. When Strictly came along, it tanked.

Starstruck was down on its first series and there were problems with the format that contributed towards that but I'm not sure if its replacement is going to achieve any better retention from SNT.

The Voice certainly did start higher and drop when Strictly came along, but even if we just look at the weeks when it faced Strictly it still posted a higher average than Starstruck (3.2m) despite the vastly more difficult slot. It only dipped below 3m (to 2.9m) for one episode whereas Starstruck averaged below it.

It’s definitely possible for a new show to retain more of Takeaway. Limitless Win and 1% Club have both done a much better job of retaining a large lead in than Starstruck.