Leona Lewis sees Brits reach 7m.

Strong performances from a glittering line-up, together with a competent live show and a thumbs-up from the media, sees the Brits regain TV audiences

Brits organisers are pointing to positive media coverage and strong performances from the likes of Paul McCartney and Amy Winehouse for helping to boost TV viewing figures by 15% in a year.

The awards show, broadcast live from London's Earl's Court last Wednesday, gained an average of 6.1m viewers - up 800,000 year-on-year - and a 24.4% share, up from 5.3m in 2007 when the live format was reintroduced.

That decision followed dismal viewing figures in 2006, when the event attracted only 4.6m viewers, the smallest in its history.

Viewing figures for the 2008 show peaked at 9pm during a performance by Leona Lewis, with 7m people tuning in, a 1.3m increase on the peak achieved in 2007 when the show was broadcast on Valentine's Day and also had to compete with an FA Cup replay on BBC 1.

Having picked up the outstanding contribution award, Paul McCartney sustained viewing interest with a closing performance that featured hits including Live And Let Die and Hey Jude. His set held the attention of 5.6m viewers, a considerable improvement on 2007 when only 4.2m people watched the show's finale. "McCartney was absolutely incredible," says Brits chairman Ged Doherty, who believes that the first ceremony under his stewardship was a total success.

While remaining realistic that the event is unlikely to return to its heyday in terms of viewing figures, which saw it pull in 11.8m viewers in 1996, Doherty believes that his ongoing vision to refresh the show will continue to bear fruit.