The Great British Bake Off’s viewing figures fall to their lowest final ratings since the show moved from BBC to Channel 4

The Great British Bake Off has suffered its worst ratings fall since it moved to Channel 4 six years ago.

In the final, Matty was crowned champion after beating off competition from Josh and Dan on Tuesday night’s episode.

But only 4.38 million viewers watched the moment, down from 5.1 million last year.

These are the lowest viewing figures for the baking series finale since the show moved to Channel 4 in 2017.

In 2021, Bake Off had 7 million viewers, up from a record high of 9.2 million the year before.

The final saw Matty (pictured) crowned champion after beating off competition from Josh and Dan on Tuesday night’s episode

But only 4.38 million viewers tuned in to watch the moment, compared to 5.1 million last year and the lowest viewing figures for the baking series finale since the show moved to Channel 4 in 2017.

The first year the show aired on Channel 4 rather than the BBC, it attracted 7.8 million viewers.

Bake Off fared well against other shows on rival networks on Tuesday night, but was beaten in the ratings battle by ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

It was also the only Channel 4 program to reach the top 20 programs watched on Tuesday.

The final of the seventh series of Bake Off and the last to air on the BBC was watched by 14.9 million people.

While the previous year’s final, in which fan favorite Nadiya Hussein won the trophy, 15.1 million people tuned in, including replays, making it the most watched television program of the year in Britain.

The show’s final two series on the BBC also became the most watched programs on British television in 2015 and 2016.

Bake Off was moved to Channel 4 after the BBC admitted it could no longer afford to keep the hit TV show.

The controversial decision angered fans and even caused notable fans of the hit show, including Lord Alan Sugar and John Prescott, to lament the move on social media.

The final of the seventh series of Bake Off and the last to air on the BBC was watched by 14.9 million people

While the previous year’s final, which saw fan favorite Nadiya Hussein (pictured) collect the trophy, 15.1 million people tuned in, including catch-up viewing, making it the most watched television program of the year in Britain.

Bake Off was moved to Channel 4 after the BBC admitted it could no longer afford to keep the hit TV show, with Channel 4 reportedly paying £75 million for rights.

The production company behind the baking show, Love Productions, confirmed that they were ‘unable to agree terms to renew The Great British Bake Off’.

It was reported that the BBC was £10 million short of the amount needed to maintain the show.

They reportedly offered to double the amount to £15 million per year, but Love Productions refused to accept offers of less than £25 million per year.

It is understood Channel 4 paid £75 million for the rights to the show, it was reported The mirror.

The decision to change broadcasters caused hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc leave the show, saying: ‘We’ve made no secret of the fact that the show will stay where it was… we’re not going with the money.’

Judge Mary Berry also announced her departure at the time, saying she would remain at the BBC ‘out of loyalty’ and admitting: ‘I’m just sad for the public who may not be ready for change’.

Judge Paul Hollywood remained the only original star remaining, and was then joined by Prue Leith as a judge.

Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig took over as presenters, before Sandy left in 2020 and was replaced by Matt Lucas.

After three years, Matt also left and Alison Hammond made her debut as co-host in this year’s series.

The decision to switch broadcasters saw presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show, saying: ‘We’ve made no secret of the fact that the show would stay where it was… we’re not going with the money’

Judge Mary Berry (pictured in 2021) also announced her departure at the time, saying she would remain at the BBC ‘out of loyalty’ and admitting: ‘I’m just sad for the public who may not be ready for change’

Judge Paul Hollywood (pictured) remained the only original star remaining, and was then joined by Prue Leith as judge

Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig took over as presenters, before Sandy left in 2020 and was replaced by Matt Lucas

After three years, Matt also left and Alison Hammond made her debut as co-host in this year’s series