Even the stars said there was no contests as viewers deserted 'Unhappy Harry' for gritty crime drama Happy Valley.
Prince Harry's sit-down interview with Tom Bradby didn't entice everyone to switch over as he continues to plug controversial new book Spare.
The Duke's explosive memoir explores the royal's entire life, starting with his very public childhood, death of mum Princess Diana and his teenage struggles with drugs and sex, papers report.
Then it delves into his military experience, his marriage to Meghan Markle and the breakdown of his relationship with the rest of the Royal Family.
But a lot of the country were seemingly more moved by the performance of Sarah Lancashire and Siobhan Finneran's in the West Yorkshire-based show.
TV presenter Eamonn Holmes asked: "9pm on The Telly .... Happy Valley or Unhappy Harry?"
Comedian Kate Robbins chimed in: "TV ratings battle. Happy Valley v. Prince Harry."
They weren't those only ones debating whether to sit through the interview as Harry lifted the lid on conversations with his father King Charles and brother Prince William, including the revelation that he asked his father not to marry Camilla.
One person tweeted: "Oooooh, a choice of viewing this evening… Happy Valley or Unhappy Harry?"
Another said: "Anyone with half a brain will be watching Happy Valley instead of horrible Harry's interview."
A third put: "Happy Valley and the Harry interview up against each other on prime time TV. Happy Valley surely takes priority. I can see why Harry’s book is called Spare, it’s just relentless."
In the interview, Harry accused members of his family of "getting into bed with the devil" to restore their image, and the King of sacrificing Harry's interests in favour of his own.
He also criticised "family members" for a "really horrible reaction" on the day the Queen died.
He told the presenter that he loves his father Charles and brother William, but said: "At the moment, I don't recognise them, as much as they probably don't recognise me."
For those already fed up, there's more ahead.
It was the first of four broadcast appearances scheduled over the coming days. Harry is also speaking to Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes on CBS News on Sunday night in the US.
He will talk to Michael Strahan of Good Morning America on Monday and Stephen Colbert on the Late Show on CBS on Wednesday.
