Unofficial overnight figures for The Hungry Earth were very low, as were all of yesterdays shows due to the good weather. 4.2 million were watching on BBC One with 0.3 million watching on BBC HD, which adds up to a total audience of 4.5 million viewers. The show had a 32.2% share of the total television audience and was the fifth most watched show of the day. People who recorded the episode and watch it on iPlayer over the next seven days will be counted for the final ratings, which will be released by BARB soon.

Over on BBC Three, Doctor Who Confidential was watched by 0.28 million and was the 15th watched show for the day on Multi-Channel Television.