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The ratings race: Week 36

This blog is now a heritage item - worth studying but not current. Clickhere for the latest ratings data.

Updated 1pm, Monday September 11
Channel Nine and its rugby league won Saturday night (with 28.1 per cent of the prime time audience) and thus Nine won the week. Channel Ten and its AFL came second on Saturday with 27.4 per cent of the prime time audience. Seven's desperate ploy to counter the beef with sugar -- showing 'The Sound of Music' for three and a half hours -- attracted just 543,000 viewers and left Seven in third place with 21.9 per cent.

Dr Who slipped to 620,000 and the ABC got 16.1 per cent, while SBS managed 6.4 per cent.

What Australia watched, week ending September 9
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BORDER SECURITY Seven 2,362,000 671,000 664,000 410,000 274,000 344,000
2 STEVE IRWIN: A TRIBUTE Seven 2,114,000 591,000 574,000 385,000 223,000 340,000
3 WHO KILLED DR BOGLE AND MRS CHANDLER? ABC 1,782,000 627,000 510,000 280,000 193,000 171,000
4 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,775,000 491,000 564,000 305,000 176,000 239,000
5 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,768,000 412,000 592,000 369,000 200,000 194,000
6 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE 2 Ten 1,756,000 412,000 622,000 276,000 213,000 233,000
7 60 MINUTES Nine 1,707,000 519,000 515,000 298,000 165,000 210,000
8 HOUSE Ten 1,695,000 417,000 607,000 265,000 198,000 209,000
9 THE CROCODILE HUNTER - A TRIBUTE TO STEVE IRWIN Nine 1,694,000 493,000 536,000 368,000 150,000 147,000
10 AUSTRALIAN IDOL WILDCARD Ten 1,583,000 420,000 477,000 285,000 228,000 173,000
11 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,529,000 411,000 425,000 278,000 178,000 238,000
12 NINE NEWS Nine 1,520,000 416,000 490,000 318,000 171,000 125,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,502,000 427,000 489,000 293,000 166,000 128,000
14 CSI RPT Nine 1,482,000 425,000 478,000 270,000 164,000 145,000
15 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,461,000 407,000 487,000 203,000 157,000 207,000
16 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,436,000 411,000 376,000 255,000 164,000 230,000
17 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,409,000 445,000 475,000 289,000 154,000 45,000
18 AUSTRALIAN IDOL LIVE VERDICT Ten 1,387,000 371,000 405,000 266,000 171,000 174,000
19 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,367,000 391,000 409,000 251,000 133,000 184,000
20 NCIS Ten 1,360,000 377,000 445,000 212,000 171,000 154,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am, Saturday September 9
This is the time of year when the States of Australia might as well be different countries. Thanks to rugby league in Sydney and Brisbane, Channel Nine won Friday with 28.9 per cent of the prime-time audience. Thanks to AFL in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, Ten came second with 26.5 per cent.

Seven had the most watched program, but averaged only 23.0 per cent of the audience between 6pm and midnight. The ABC provided blessed relief from all forms of biffo and got a healthy (for it) share of 17.8, and SBS got 3.9.

What Australia watched, Friday
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,517,000 S382,000 M380,000 B321,000 A187,000 P247,000
2 NINE NEWS Nine 1,429,000 422,000 457,000 259,000 159,000 131,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,389,000 400,000 359,000 242,000 180,000 208,000
4 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,314,000 367,000 404,000 241,000 147,000 155,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,246,000 311,000 397,000 250,000 172,000 116,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,195,000 348,000 348,000 223,000 135,000 141,000
7 TEMPTATION Nine 1,187,000 307,000 403,000 236,000 135,000 107,000
8 MIDSOMER MURDERS ABC 1,179,000 369,000 325,000 204,000 145,000 137,000
9 AFL: 2ND ELIM. FINAL ST KILDA V MELBOURNE Ten 1,141,000 63,000 617,000 39,000 208,000 214,000
10 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 1,089,000 295,000 288,000 176,000 127,000 202,000
11 ABC NEWS EV ABC 942,000 255,000 285,000 179,000 93,000 131,000
12 ABC NEWS UPDATE ABC 873,000 290,000 230,000 151,000 111,000 92,000
13 RUGBY LEAGUE FINAL SERIES QF 1 Nine 856,000 501,000 37,000 296,000 13,000 9,000
14 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC 807,000 338,000 131,000 145,000 100,000 94,000
15 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 783,000 185,000 229,000 166,000 111,000 91,000
OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals

Updated 11 am, Friday September 8
Aussies love a mystery, even when the solution is disappointing (not whodunit but whatdunit -- hydrogen sulphide from the river).

If you'd pitched the idea of a dramatised doco on the Bogle-Chandler deaths to the commercial networks, they'd have said "Too long ago, too Sydney, too daggy". But the ABC went for it, spent big money, and was rewarded on Thursday night with the biggest audience for any Australian documentary ever shown by the ABC: 1.8 million in the mainland capitals. And Melbourne was almost as fascinated as Sydney.

Will the commercials now try to pinch the idea? Or will they learn the lesson from the You May Be Right/Spicks and Specks debacle and conclude that there are some things the ABC just does better.

Nine won Thursday with 31.3 per cent of the prime-time audience (thanks to footy after 9.30), while Seven got 27.4 per cent, ABC got 20.0, Ten got a miserable 15.9 (David Tench is now down to 586,000), and SBS got 5.4. Nine is ahead for the week.

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 WHO KILLED DR BOGLE AND MRS CHANDLER? ABC 1,782,000 627,000 510,000 280,000 193,000 171,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,467,000 446,000 379,000 256,000 177,000 210,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,437,000 427,000 366,000 256,000 171,000 217,000
4 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,359,000 404,000 432,000 225,000 120,000 178,000
5 GETAWAY Nine 1,346,000 385,000 465,000 216,000 134,000 146,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,331,000 412,000 419,000 232,000 155,000 114,000
7 NINE NEWS Nine 1,322,000 393,000 408,000 257,000 154,000 110,000
8 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 1,321,000 361,000 432,000 232,000 138,000 158,000
9 TEMPTATION Nine 1,214,000 359,000 411,000 203,000 126,000 114,000
10 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,148,000 333,000 360,000 206,000 108,000 141,000
11 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,111,000 301,000 433,000 144,000 123,000 110,000
12 ABC NEWS-EV ABC 958,000 246,000 278,000 167,000 119,000 148,000
13 CELEBRITY SURVIVOR Seven 948,000 252,000 268,000 173,000 110,000 146,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 11 am, Thursday September 7
What a difference a timeslot makes. Channel Seven's newest hit, The Force, about WA cops, was attracting 1.9 million viewers on Tuesday nights. Moved to Wednesday, it attracted just 1.26 million.

Why? Because it no longer has the lead-in of Australia's favourite show, Border Security, and it's now up against Ten's newest hit, Thank God You're Here.

Still, Seven will be celebrating its decision to jump in first with Steve Irwin. Nine's tribute attracted 450,000 fewer viewers than Seven's tribute on Tuesday. Nine won Wednesday with 30.4 per cent of the prime-time audience, while Ten got 28.0 per cent, Seven got 24.0, ABC got 13.9 and SBS got 3.8. Nine is ahead for the week.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
1. Thank God You're Here Ten 1.75m
2. House Ten 1.69
3. The Crocodile Hunter Tribute to Steve Irwin Nine 1.66
4. A Current Affair Nine 1.54
5. Nine News Nine 1.51
6. Home and Away Seven 1.42
7. Seven News Seven 1.41
8. NCIS Ten 1.36
9. Temptation Nine 1.33
10. Today Tonight Seven 1.29
11. The Force Seven 1.26
12. Without A Trace Nine 1.23
13. Police Files Seven 1.20
14. Spicks and Specks ABC 1.11
15. Forensic Investigators Seven 1.05
(OzTAM preliminary figures, mainland capitals)

Click here to learn how obese people watch TV differently from skinny people.

Updated 11 am, Wednesday September 6
It's official: in the mind of Australia, Steve Irwin has moved from amiable buffoon to national icon. Channel Seven's tribute to him drew 2.1 million viewers in the mainland capitals on Tuesday night. That morning, both breakfast shows, with saturation Irwin coverage, jumped by nearly 200,000 viewers - Seven's Sunrise to 522,000 and Nine's Today to 344,000.

Having paid their respects, Australians may feel free to declare the mourning period over, ignore Nine's tribute show on Wednesday night, and let themselves laugh again with Ten's relaunch of Thank God You're Here and new episode of House.

Seven won Tuesday with 33.2 per cent of the prime-time audience, while Nine got 28.7 per cent, Ten got 19.5, ABC got 14.4 and SBS got 4.2. Seven is ahead for the week.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 Border Security Seven 2,362,000 671,000 664,000 410,000 274,000 344,000
2 Steve Irwin: A Tribute Seven 2,114,000 591,000 574,000 385,000 223,000 340,000
3 Seven News Seven 1,535,000 410,000 449,000 274,000 177,000 226,000
4 Nine News Nine 1,535,000 394,000 518,000 335,000 173,000 113,000
5 CSI RPT Nine 1,497,000 428,000 482,000 273,000 169,000 145,000
6 A Current Affair Nine 1,493,000 430,000 482,000 291,000 159,000 130,000
7 All Saints Seven 1,461,000 407,000 487,000 203,000 157,000 207,000
8 Today Tonight Seven 1,455,000 399,000 389,000 257,000 165,000 244,000
9 Home and Away Seven 1,455,000 408,000 441,000 257,000 142,000 207,000
10 Temptation Nine 1,415,000 406,000 422,000 289,000 157,000 142,000
11 20 to 1 Nine 1,285,000 363,000 405,000 251,000 131,000 135,000
12 The All New Simpsons Ten 1,101,000 280,000 368,000 191,000 126,000 136,000
13 ABC News ABC 1,089,000 315,000 299,000 173,000 127,000 175,000
14 Futurama Ten 922,000 230,000 293,000 162,000 107,000 130,000
15 Crossing Jordan Seven 919,000 258,000 309,000 129,000 95,000 127,000

Updated 11 am, Tuesday September 5
The strange death of Steve Irwin drew the attention of Australians to any TV program that could offer background, so news, current affairs and Enough Rope with Andrew Denton were up 200,000 on their usual viewing figures.

Seven won the night with 30.7 per cent of the prime-time audience, while Nine got 24.4 per cent, Ten got 20.6, ABC got 17.6 and SBS got 6.4 (thanks to Top Gear, which soared to 702,000).

What Australia watched, Monday
1. A Current Affair Nine 1.87m
2. Nine News Nine 1.78
3. Grey's Anatomy Seven 1.77
4. Seven News Seven 1.71
5. Today Tonight Seven 1.60
6. Temptation Nine 1.46
7. Home and Away Seven 1.41
8. Aus Idol Ten 1.39
9. Ten News Ten 1.29
10. The Great Outdoors Seven 1.24
11. ABC News ABC 1.13
12. Enough Rope with Andrew Denton ABC 1.13
13. Criminal Minds Seven 1.12
14. Cold Case rpt Nine 1.09
15. Australian Story ABC 1.03

Updated 10 am, Monday September 4
Without Jana Wendt, Sunday attracted 266,000 viewers in the mainland capitals. On the preceding Sundays of this year, with Jana Wendt, it averaged 295,000. But Sunday has never been about ratings - it's been about prestige, about giving Nine credibility when it is often accused of sensationalism. Does the new Sunday have credibility?

Ten has a reasonable chance of winning this week. With 'Australian Idol' performing amazingly (1.6 million on Sunday), a new episode of 'House' and the relaunch of 'Thank God You're Here' on Wednesday, and endless AFL semi finals on Friday and Saturday, Ten could well surpass the lacklustre offerings of Nine and Seven. Last night Ten drew 23.7 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 32.1 per cent, Seven got 25.3, ABC got 13.8 and SBS got 4.3.

What Australia watched, Sunday
1. Nine News Sunday Nine 1.77m
2. 60 Minutes Nine 1.70
3. Aus Idol Ten 1.59
4. Where Are They Now Seven 1.34
5. Prehistoric Park Nine 1.30
6. Seven News Seven 1.28
7. Movie: Terminator 3 Nine 1.20
8. Sunday Football AFL and NRL Nine 1.08
9. Movie: Under The Tuscan Sun Seven 1.08
10. Meerkat Manor Ten 1.04
11. ABC News ABC 1.00
12. It's Me or the Dog Ten 0.96
13. In Search of Myths and Heroes ABC 0.91
14. You May Be Right Seven 0.81
15. Movie: Intolerable Cruelty Ten 0.79
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am, Sunnday September 3
The age of celebrity is over. For Australians, the new superstars are cops and customs officers ... and a few youngsters who might be famous one day. It doesn't matter if the celebrities are dancing on ice or fighting on an island, they just can't pull a crowd any more.

Last week Channel Seven's Celebrity Survivor managed just 1.05 million viewers in the mainland capitals - adding another failure to the list topped by The Master (which Seven killed after one episode) and You May Be Right (struggling to survive on 867,000).

Seven can only live with this disappointment because it has the two most watched shows of the week - Border Security and The Force, both about keeping Australians safe and both grabbing 2 million viewers.

Dancing on Ice, Channel Nine's attempt to emulate the success of Seven's Dancing With The Stars, melted away with just 1.4 million viewers - 200,000 less than its starting audience. It seems Australians don't agree with Nine's use of the label "celebrity" to describe the boyfriend of Jennifer Hawkins and the co-host of a failed breakfast show.

But Nine remains calm because it's gaining from Seven's current confusion. Nine won the week with 29.5 per cent of the prime-time audience, while Seven got 26.7, Ten got 22.8, ABC got 15.8 and SBS got 5.2. It's evident that Nine will win the year.

Channel Ten is riding high with stars of the future. This year's series of Australian Idol is way up on last year's, with three episodes last week drawing more than 1.5 million viewers. On Wednesday Ten brings back Thank God You're Here, its monster hit from the first half of the year, but Seven will counter by moving The Force from Tuesdays to Wednesdays. On Thursday morning the programmers will know if Australians prefer cops or comedians.

The ABC is doing best with Spicks and Specks (1.24 million), its Sunday news (1.07m) and Extras (976,000) while SBS scored with Top Gear (626,000) and Trafficked (547,000).

The ratings race is updated every weekday as an unpaid service for readers of David Dale's Tribal Mind column, published each Tuesday in The Sydney Morning Herald. David Dale is the author of Who We Are - A Miscellany of the new Australia (Allen and Unwin). Past columns can be found at www.smh.com.au/tribalmind. For a discussion on last week's trends in television, click here.

COMMENTS

I feel compelled to comment about the new format on the Sunday show. I was bitterly disappointed with the changes that have been made to the show. I have been watching this show for many years and believed it was one of the best current affairs programs on tv. Now it?s basically another version of a Current Affair. Furthermore, I was subjected to 1 hour of sports, don?t we have enough sports on tv already! Sunday was previously a hard hitting current affairs show with some art & culture thrown in but now it's mediocre trash. It was fairly obvious they were targeting the male baby boomer demographic, well we don?t all fit into this category and frankly they have alienated the rest of us and ruined a classic show. I guess this was inevitable considering their new management style. Will every show on channel nine now have a sports component? The last thing we need is more sports on tv as there are some of us in this country who are not interested in sports. I lament the sad passing of a brilliant show.

  • by MM on September 03, 2006 at 12:42 PM

I feel compelled to comment about the new format on the Sunday show. I was bitterly disappointed with the changes that have been made to the show. I have been watching this show for many years and believed it was one of the best current affairs programs on tv. Now its basically another version of a Current Affair. Furthermore, I was subjected to 1 hour of sports, dont we have enough sports on tv already! Sunday was previously a hard hitting current affairs show with some art & culture thrown in but now it's mediocre trash. It was fairly obvious they were targeting the male baby boomer demographic, well we dont all fit into this category and frankly they have alienated the rest of us and ruined a classic show. I guess this was inevitable considering their new management style. Will every show on channel nine now have a sports component? The last thing we need is more sports on tv as there are some of us in this country who are not interested in sports. I lament the sad passing of a brilliant show.

  • by MM on September 03, 2006 at 12:46 PM

My first impression of the new set for "Sunday" was, that it appeared cheap, tacky and unsuitable for such a quality show. By the end of the show, the new set was appropriate and consistant with the new format.

  • by TGO on September 03, 2006 at 05:23 PM

Does anyone know if/when Smallville is coming back? Thought it was going to be this week. Thanks for the website TM - it rocks!

  • by PAK on September 03, 2006 at 05:45 PM

I saw a few minutes of the new Sunday and was quite disappointed. Laurie Oaks was basically giving Peter Costello the reach around. One classic was "Are people making too big a deal about interest rates rising?" Please, get a room you two. There could children watching this early in the morning.

  • by sean on September 03, 2006 at 06:19 PM

Sunday - I dont understand the logo - what does the 'o' mean ?
I also saw a preview for mother's in war - it looks like crap - another one to follow DOA- Eddie, you are surpassing yourself with this one ... hope James gives you medal if this one rates- you deserve it ...

  • by Geoff on September 03, 2006 at 07:31 PM

I think that some posters are giving the re-vamped Sunday an unfairly bad rap. Yes, the set is not the most attractive thing in the world and I could definitely do without Ross and Ellen's commentary and discussion in between segments, but it certainly has not degenerated into "mediocre trash", as MM wrote above.
Essentially, yesterday's program comprised a brief news summary, the week in review, a minor piece on the death of Don Chipp, a feature story on the finanical abuse of the elderly which was reasonably well-done, a SHORT sports panel discussion hosted by Stephanie Brantz and featuring Phil Gould and Tony Jones, a cover story on the bitter relationship between Australia's biggest punter Eddie Hayson and the NSW chief steward and Peter Thompson's film review.
Now, can someone please explain to me how this line-up resembles the content on A Current Affair? And I'm not sure what program you were watching MM if you believe that the program covered sports for "one hour." Perhaps it just felt like one hour for you because you clearly loathe the sporting life, but by my reckoning Stephanie's segment lasted no more than ten to twelve minutes.
I was expecting a dire, Sunday Sunrise-esque effort when I heard that Ross and Ellen were replacing Jana but based on yesterday's efforts, I think there is hope for the future. It could be much, much worse.
Oh, and by the way TM, could you please confirm or deny for me the claim made by a poster on this blog last week that The Sopranos will return on September 20 at 10.30pm? Thanks in advance.

  • by Martin on September 04, 2006 at 12:56 AM

Oh Dear, after many years of watching Sunday, usually a mix of interesting items and effort, we are brought down to the pits, what is Mr Everywhere trying to do??? Not that I craved for Jana, not into the "star" bit, but the aggressive looking hostess is enough to frighten me off this "new"format. Thats the end for me with Nine. Just got my satellite dish, so I'm off !!

  • by Geoff on September 04, 2006 at 04:50 AM

I thought 7's Survivors would flop! If I were 9, I would take the proper survivors, starting in the US in the next week or so, hot off the satellite and blow the 7 show off the face of the TV!
JMTC
Molly

  • by Phillip Molly Malone on September 04, 2006 at 07:33 AM

I thought 'Sunday' was good in some parts and bad in others. I liked the return of the news of the week that had in the first half hour and using Australian stories rather than the American CBS ones that they had been running recently. I didn't enjoy the chit chat betwen Ellen and Ross. I think the show might work better if the presenters only started off together for the introductions and then for the rest of the show they presented their separate segments. The film review was dropped this week because they ran out of time and I fear that the Arts stories will be dropped more often in favour of Sports. I'm not sure the sport segments need to be on this show when a sports pogram follows at 11am. I thought the black background on part of the set was a bit harsh and should be replaced it by more blue.
Meanwhile, I thought it was quite bizarre for Ch 7 to program a first run movie like 'The Importance of Being Earnest' on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm. It is a classic story with a brilliant cast that would have attracted some good viewers at night. It might not be the best adaptation of this classic play but considering some of the rubbish movies they've shown on Sunday and Saturday nights recently, how could they waste this movie in an afternoon slot?

  • by Jay on September 04, 2006 at 08:50 AM

Yeah, what a brainwave. Let's make Sunday look like that other great Nine success - the Today show (or whatever it's called). I'll be switching to the ABC for my Sunday viewing now.

  • by mama cass on September 04, 2006 at 09:51 AM

Well look at those ratings, DVD's and the warmer weather really are taking effect.
by the way Molly, that Survivor idea is actually really good this would be why Ch 9 WON'T be doing it.

  • by Dirty D on September 04, 2006 at 10:35 AM

Hey Martin, did you actually watch the program? Had you really watched "SundayO" you would have noticed that Peter Thompson's film review segment was boned from the program due to timing problems. Obviously he's expendable, but 10 minutes of boring sport isn't. Another brave move by Eddie Everywhere. Which Channel 9 department do you work for?

  • by Don on September 04, 2006 at 10:38 AM

PAK, we're going have to wait until the conclusion of the new Jamie Oliver series at the earliest to see Smallville again. Realistically, though, I don't think it'll be back before the summer non-ratings period.

  • by Fielding on September 04, 2006 at 11:09 AM

I always watch 'Sunday' and switch to 'insiders' during ad-breaks. But this new format is ridiculous. They are trying to emulate 7's sunday morning show with Kochie. It's ridiculous. Where are the hard hitting stories? SHAME ON YOU EDDIE!

I am now permanently switching to watching ABC and SBS. At least it isn't the sensational s**** that we watch on Channel 9 now.

  • by eva on September 04, 2006 at 11:12 AM

Are they trying to mould the new Sunday hosts into the new Today hosts? The guy asking the girl wherther she'd had fun? Sheesh.
A financial journo + legit journo does not equal instant success formula!

  • by Bereft Skerrick on September 04, 2006 at 11:19 AM

Any news on the Sydney FC v Mebourne Victory Saturday Night A league soccer (football) game in regards to ratings?
Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: Not yet. Because Foxtel does not want people to know how small are the audiences for most of its shows, it does not release a ratings chart. The figures have to be obtained by more devious means, which takes time. As soon as I get the pay tv audience figures for last week, I will replace this reply, so keep watching this space. What station was the match on?

  • by DM on September 04, 2006 at 12:00 PM

I loved the movie Under the Tuscan Sun last night...what a great movie!
So happy L&O criminal intent is finally back on Sunday - although one episode, but it's back.:)

  • by Love My McDreamy on September 04, 2006 at 12:03 PM

I think the 'O' after Sunday carries over from the 'sun' logo that appeared in previous versions of the Sunday logo. I thought the new look was generally good. I liked the new style of news bar that appears at the bottom of the screen, as seen on CNN. It should just be restricted to the news segments though and suggest that it extend to the whole screen instead of being right from the '9' logo because they had to squash the wording for some headlines.

I hated the attempted forced banter between the hosts and the sport segment was unnecessary. Quite disappointed that a film review would be dropped because the sport chat ran over. The main story was advertised as if it was on a tabloid program like 'A Current Affair' or 'Today Tonight'. I wonder if the prestige advertising will remain with Sunday now that it has obviously moved downmarket.

  • by J Bar on September 04, 2006 at 12:13 PM

Thanks for your help. It would of been Fox Sports 1 or 2 cannot remember - think it was 2.

Tribal Mind replies: Hah, just got them:
1 LIVE: NRL SHARKS V RAIDERS FOX Sports 1 177,000
2 LIVE & ACTIVE: NRL STORM V SEA EAGLES FOX Sports 1 177,000
3 NRL ROOSTERS V DRAGONS FOX Sports 1 135,000
4 LIVE: NRL RABBITOHS V COWBOYS FOX Sports 1 119,000
5 LIVE: RND 22 ADELAIDE V MELBOURNE FOX Footy 110,000
6 LIVE: RND 21 WC EAGLES V FREMANTLE FOX Footy 99,000
7 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE MELB V SYDNEY FOX Sports 2 82,000
8 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE SYD V C'COAST FOX Sports 2 78,000
9 ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA FOX8 73,000
10 LIVE: NRL PRE GAME SHOW FOX Sports 1 69,000

  • by DM on September 04, 2006 at 12:24 PM

I think the only reason for the success of (alleged) Celebrity Survivor is the pure lack of any other choice. I'm really not fond of the ten choice of Tench (which a lot of my year 8 students love, but i'm not a fan) and Ronnie Johns, or the getaway specials that have been shown on nine, which will now be replaced with medicore American sitcoms. So I stick with celebrity survivor, which had some nudity on Thursday at 8:35pm, what's the deal with that?! Just because someone is meditating does not make it any less of a naked woman. I also agree with the decision to show Importance of Being Earnest on Sunday afternoon. Surely we could replace the repeats of crime shows with some good movies, or seven attempt to put on a quality movie rather than 'Stuck on You' on a Sunday night!!

  • by rkiejda on September 04, 2006 at 12:48 PM

Was I the only one who was disturbed at how low 7 sunk in exploting the kid who'd had an organ donated?
Poor kid was quite upset and they put him o where are they now for ratings.
I was disgusted by it.
Last week it was Hawkins and a high school kid and this week it's organ recipients.

  • by FJ on September 04, 2006 at 12:50 PM

I have been watching Sunday for over 20 years, but never again! Nine is just trying to copy Seven, with cheap, low-rent, Fox-style content. Laurie Oakes looked very uncomfortable. Journos talking to journos is not serious current affairs - just filling the space between ads. Jana made the right choice. Time for Eddie to bone himself.

  • by Lee on September 04, 2006 at 12:51 PM

Not being a watcher of "Sunday" (or its latest incarnation), I can't say anything about the changes first-hand. (Like that ever stopped me in the past, however. ;)

But it does seem strange the way they're trying to copy the Channel 7 show. Surely, if both shows are in the same timeslot, it'd be better to differentiate themselves somehow, give viewers a choice, and have a niche "quality" viewing market, rather than a mass trash viewing market.

Or is this one of those "spoiling" the game for everyone else moments? And does "everyone else" include the viewing public?

Getting onto TV I have watched: Intolerable Cruelty was a great romp last night. (And the woman manning the phones at Channel 10 was very nice when I rang up to complain that Australian Idol had run 10 minutes late. Damn it, I'm sick and tired of them running late all the time, and have decided that complaining might be the only available solution, bar watching ABC/SBS only. I'm seriously planning on putting the commercial channels on speed dial...)

  • by tqd on September 04, 2006 at 01:32 PM


I loved the movie Under the Tuscan Sun last night...what a great movie!


* Posted by: Love My McDreamy at September 4, 2006 12:03 PM


Me too!

  • by nich on September 04, 2006 at 01:51 PM

I can't beleive only 73000 people watch Rockstar on Fox! It is absolutely the best show of its genre. Because the 'prize' is that you get to play with some well-known, respected band members (oh, and because there are no age restrictions) the show attracts a whole different type of performer. That is, unlike the Idol wannabes you get the already-on-their ways - 'rockers' (my pet hate is the continual insistence on referring to them only ever as 'rockers')who already have something of a career in their own towns. As a result, even the best of the Idol contestants (which admittedly this year are probably better than ever) couldn't hold their own against the early Rockstar rejects.
So given that more people than ever are watching Idol this year, I simply can't fathom why more of you aren't watching Rockstar. Get into it guys (and don't forget to vote for Aussie Toby on the rockstar.msn.com website NOT via the red button or SMS numbers advertised on Fox, which are blatant money-raising efforts you don't need to get involved in.... for this show at least!)

Tribal Mind replies: You have to remember that only 25% of Australian households subscribe to pay. And of that, a tiny percentage is interested in Rockstar.

  • by Sharon on September 04, 2006 at 02:12 PM

Hey everyone,
Just want to put out a reminder about my survey on TV downloading and TV viewing habits. The survey is located as www.tvdownloadaust.net
Hope that everyone who hasn't already completed it can take 5 minutes to do so, and also pass it around to friends and family, to maximise numbers.
Thanks all!

  • by Adam on September 04, 2006 at 02:38 PM

I know stations dont release details of programming more than 2-3 weeks in advance, but are there any rumours floating around out there about a season of 'The Mole'? I really like that show, and from what i remember, it did a lot better last year than 'celebrity survivor' is doing this year.

  • by William on September 04, 2006 at 02:49 PM

Was I the only one who was disturbed at how low 7 sunk in exploting the kid who'd had an organ donated?
Poor kid was quite upset and they put him o where are they now for ratings.
I was disgusted by it.
Last week it was Hawkins and a high school kid and this week it's organ recipients.

  • by FJ on September 04, 2006 at 03:09 PM

Nine will for sure win the week. They have 4 NRL finals throughtout Fri.-Sun. 7 will be third though.

Tribal Mind replies: But doesn't AFL beat NRL nationally?

  • by MP on September 04, 2006 at 03:32 PM

Who on earth watches television on Sunday mornings? Talk about needing to get a life.

  • by Jennie on September 04, 2006 at 04:31 PM

I hate Kochie, he has ruined the TV landscape with his fluff. This Koch-ification has convinced the sheep in charge of networks that everyone wants to be "friends" with the people on their TV's and we need to relate to them.
I don't care about your family, your kids and what Koch, Rowe/Overton, Doyle, Stefanovic households get up to in their spare time. Give me some genuine current affairs and leave me to have relationships with my own family, don't attempt a cynical connection with me, it's a sad indictment so many people respond to this rubbish.
Sunday is now a disgrace and I will not be watching again.

  • by jed on September 04, 2006 at 04:44 PM

fj:-Was I the only one who was disturbed at how low 7 sunk in exploting the kid who'd had an organ donated?>
If you think that was tacky, just imagine how many exploitative "Very Special Tributes" to Steve Irwin are likely to air on the networks in the next couple of weeks. Get ready for the onslaught.....

  • by Mark on September 04, 2006 at 05:46 PM

before everyone gets too excited about exploiting steve irwin, it should be noted that 7 already had "crocodile hunter" scheduled in some cities this sat night...check the guides..

  • by spw68 on September 04, 2006 at 07:32 PM

sorry..i was wrong about the exploitation of steve irwin..9 officially takes the cake..its 8pm monday and they've just advertised a special for 7.30 wed...anything to try to beat 7 and 10's successful wed 7.30 shows..HOW TACKY CHANNEL 9!!!!
They've already planned spoilers of 7's 9/11 and 50 years specials (by getting in BEFORE the official dates!!), now this...disgusting!

  • by spw68 on September 04, 2006 at 08:07 PM

How is it exploitive? People loved watching him, Nine's show will be a celebration of his life, as well as remembering all the good things he did for Australia.

  • by Andrew 2 on September 04, 2006 at 09:27 PM

I find it rather curious that everyone seems to be screaming exploitation just because the networks plan on running Irwin specials. What would you expect - that they completely ignore the event, as if nothing at all happened? He's arguably our greatest export in recent times who also happened to do a lot of good in the world. So why shouldn't the networks prepare a tribute to him? It's only exploitation if it's done in 'tabloid' style journalism, but that remains to be seen, as programs haven't yet been shown. Be critical sure, but base it on evidence, not supposition.

  • by damien on September 04, 2006 at 09:50 PM

J Bar says: I think the 'O' after Sunday carries over from the 'sun' logo that appeared in previous versions of the Sunday logo. I thought the new look was generally good. I liked the new style of news bar that appears at the bottom of the screen, as seen on CNN. It should just be restricted to the news segments though and suggest that it extend to the whole screen instead of being right from the '9' logo because they had to squash the wording for some headlines.

Speaking of the news bar on Nine, it was used during the sports segment of Nine's 6pm Melbourne news last night.

  • by Johnson on September 04, 2006 at 10:34 PM

Sunday Bloody Sunday - what were the morons at Channel Eddie smoking when they decided to bone Jana & revamp the show - now it's a clone (and not a good one) of ACA & The Footy Show. Obviously Fat Eddie thinks we are all like him & only want to watch sport on a Sunday morning. Well guess what Eddie you had already lost me Monday to saturday & now you've lost me on Sunday.

We should run a competition "how long will it be before James Packer or JA bones fat Eddie" - soon I hope

  • by macca on September 04, 2006 at 10:42 PM

spw68 - how can you say that Channel 9 is spoiling Channel 7's 9/11 and 50 years special!! As far as i know 9/11 happened to New York City & the world..... not to Channel 7!!!! Any Channel is allowed to show a "Special" or "Documentary" about 9/11, just cause Channel 7 paid big bucks for their "World-wide Special" is their problem!!! and Channel 9 have been planning THEIR 50 years of tv special for a long time! and apart from all that they are actually turning 50 and Channel 7 is not!! perhaps Channel 7 should celebrate when they actually have their own birthday!!
(and before everyone says something i know they are celebrating the start of TV, not the birthday of Channel 9 - even tho they are one and the same thing)
Also just for the trifecta...... i think it is an excellent idea to have a tribute show on one of Australias best know guys!! Maybe the other channels will turn around and show their respects also!!! We have lost a great aussie, why is it a bad thing to celebrate his life??

  • by JM on September 05, 2006 at 12:28 AM

I think Denton was the first, bumping Raylene Boyle and rerunning Steve Irwin's interview on Enough Rope on Monday night.
I like others do not think that screening a special is exploitive, for me, it will just be another television show. If you want exploitation just talk to the pollies - I think I have heard about a dozen come out to speak about him and "their special relationship" with Steve Irwin.
My heart goes out to his family and colleagues.

  • by Louise on September 05, 2006 at 08:02 AM

Despite living an hours drive from the NSW/QLD border, channel 10 has refused to show the Bris Lions' games on a saturday night this year, preferring movies that have been run a million times, and were weak the first time. So the Lions last game of the year, that was played at 7:30pm is shown at 11pm. However, Sydney Swans games are always put on at 7:30pm if played that night.
WE LIVE 1000 KILOMETRES FROM SYDNEY AND 2 HOURS DRIVE FROM BRISBANE, WHO ARE WE GOING TO BE BARRACKING FOR, YOU HALFWITS!?!?!?!?!

  • by phil on September 05, 2006 at 09:51 AM

TM - ratings for YMBR are backto that 800K mark. Surely this would not be acceptable to Ch7 for the timeslot it is responsible for at the present.

There was talk that Celebrity Survivor may be getting a new timeslot also, as it needs to draw more than 1.1m that it is currently getting for a show that costs $500K per hour to produce.

  • by pete on September 05, 2006 at 09:53 AM

Hi TM - can you please explain something about Ch 7's "celebrity" Survivor? What's the relationship between this knock-off version and the US show? Does it mean that Ch 7 will screen the next series of US Survivor? Did they buy the rights to Survivor or just the rights to make a really lame version of their own?

  • by Joe on September 05, 2006 at 10:19 AM

Andrew 2:-
>How is it exploitive? People loved watching him, Nine's show will be a celebration of his life, as well as remembering all the good things he did for Australia.>

It'll be driven primarily by a desire to use Irwin's death to boost ratings; I consider that exploitative.

I'm not particularly outraged or offended by this - I was never a fan of Irwin. I merely state it as an observation - that's the way that TV stations operate.

  • by Mark on September 05, 2006 at 10:41 AM

It was really interesting to see that both C9 and C7 sent their team to Queensland so quickly. The first thing I saw this morning on the Today show was Karl on location. A little OTT if you ask me. For goodness sake just leave his family and friends alone and let them grieve in peace.

  • by sc on September 05, 2006 at 10:56 AM

@joe
Seven got the rights to produce their own version by going directly to the people who sell the survivor franchise - Castaway Television productions.
There is no connection with the US version other than the fact that seven took alot of inspiration from them.

  • by routemarker on September 05, 2006 at 10:58 AM

7 are the ones shedding Crocodile tears. Naomi Robson and 7 news absolutley gave it to him for the Bob thing.
Steve Irwin had to appear on ACA with his footage to defend himself.
That's three low blows in a week now for 7.
Hawkins and the high school kid.
Exploiting upset organ recipients on Where Are They Now.
Their BS Crocodile tears for Steve Irwin.

  • by FJ on September 05, 2006 at 11:13 AM

Where are the tv ratings from last night (Monday night). They are normally updated every day by 11am?

  • by dave3380 on September 05, 2006 at 11:58 AM

9 news and ACA always seem to beat 7 on Mondays but ostly not the rest of the week.
Did 7 win in any capital cities beside perth for news last night?

Tribal Mind replies: Adelaide, but only just.

  • by JAK on September 05, 2006 at 12:19 PM

I didn't see anyone else ask yet, so if they have, my apologies.
Apparently not well, but how badly did SVU fare last night?
I actually would have thought that it may have done better, given that Mariska Hargitay (deservedly) won Best Actress for a Drama series at the Emmies. (And that Ten was promoting that fact.)

Tribal Mind replies: 922,000

  • by James C on September 05, 2006 at 12:29 PM

Does anybody know what the ratings for Two TWisted were last night? I've been watching this show and loving it! Just hope the ratings will make it last
Cheers

"Anybody" replies: 658.000.

  • by dantwisted on September 05, 2006 at 02:20 PM

I don't know if any one noticed but one of australians most talented and repected authors died today, Colin Friels. so when can i pencil in the blue fin and storm boy movies. absolute classics.
now there was a real aussie icon

  • by missfreelove69 on September 05, 2006 at 02:22 PM

Is there anyway you can post the ratings for last night that shows the breakdown for all the cap cities? I am from Brisbane so am curious to see how many watched the various news programs last night given Irwin's Queensland connection.

Tribal Mind replies: Sorry, this is a Sydney Morning Herald blog. The Courier Mail should provide that service. A Current Affair got 370,000 in Brisbane, Today Tonight got 285,000 Nine news got 399,000 and Seven news got 312,000.

  • by Naomi on September 05, 2006 at 03:41 PM

Hi TM
Having traffic issues with the blog today? Keep getting "cannot find server" and other weird stuff. I guess you are pretty busy at SMH - maybe you should get someone to assist??
Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: Someone to assist? You mean there would be someone else dumb enough to work for nothing?

  • by pete on September 05, 2006 at 03:47 PM

I know you are loathe to talk about the various football codes but can you please tell me how the A-league rates on Fox

Tribal Mind replies: See my answer to earlier request on this. All details are above, including why Fox do not want to release ratings.

  • by G-man on September 05, 2006 at 04:36 PM

Perhaps this blog should have a 'hands off' policy on Steve Irwin ? He's a legend and a great Aussie - Im sad to see him die, and just want to see him in the tributes, no matter what channel he is on.

Geoff

  • by Geoff on September 05, 2006 at 04:42 PM

sc - if the networks hadnt sent people to Australia Zoo then everyone would complain that they didnt put in enough effort (do you remember Hurricane Larry and the way the Today show got cricified for not sending a reporter on the Sunday night ready to report live on Monday morning).......

  • by JM on September 05, 2006 at 05:01 PM

just an FYI for missfreelove69 - it was Colin Thiele who passed on. As far as I know, Colin Friels is still alive and well.
Your heart is in the right place though, and yes he will be missed, as will the great Steve Irwin. The Storm Boy & The Croc Hunter - gone. Sad days.

  • by jackson on September 05, 2006 at 05:27 PM

TM, how did "swarms" on Ch.9 rate last night?

Tribal Mind replies: 1.02 million. What was it like?

  • by MP on September 05, 2006 at 05:56 PM

I've got the reason why Top Gear "soared to 702,000" .... there was a feature on the Ferrari F430.

  • by canoli on September 05, 2006 at 06:36 PM

Obviously Neighbours suffered due to the current affairs interests. Anyone have a figure?

"Anyone" replies: 778,000.

  • by Deepheat on September 05, 2006 at 07:51 PM

Tribal Mind,
Do you know what the reason behind Seven replacing Kill Bill with another (soppier) movie on Sunday, August 27th was?
Has it been moved to another day?

  • by Sven on September 05, 2006 at 10:03 PM

I have a theory on why Ch 9 has stronger ratings for their news on Monday nights compared to the rest of the week. I think it might have something to do with people being lazy with changing the channels on their tellys. Ch 9 has a very strong Sunday night with ratings close to 2 million. Many people don't switch their telly back on again until Monday night when the channel may still be tuned to Ch 9. Often they don't change channel until after the news and magazine programs are over.
Tuesday and Wednesdays nights are very competitive nights now with lots of strong programs at 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Can't wait to see how this all works out in the next few weeks.

  • by J Bar on September 06, 2006 at 08:12 AM

TM do you know how boston legal rated last night ? many thanks

Tribal Mind replies: 661,000

  • by cycosmc on September 06, 2006 at 08:27 AM

Tribal Mind replies: Someone to assist? You mean there would be someone else dumb enough to work for nothing?
Don't you get payed for the columns you write TM? If not aren't you plugging your book on those columns?
You are generating quite an ammount of traffic to this site and your columns (this blog does support your columns a fair bit, i'd never read them until i stumbled across this blog). Maybe im being naive but perhaps you could ask your boss for a wage, that would be easy wouldn't it?

Tribal Mind replies: I get paid for one column a week in the print edition of the SMH. For online, nothing. Have asked, answer no.

  • by Phil on September 06, 2006 at 09:05 AM

Quoth Mark at September 5, 2006 10:41 AM: "It'll be driven primarily by a desire to use Irwin's death to boost ratings; I consider that exploitative."
You could also argue that it was newsworthy stuff, that we'd all want to see. (The SMH website took quite a beating ever since the original news hit, with everyone scrambling for the latest updates, slowing things down, and making this blog inaccessible for most of yesterday (wah!).)
Even I, and I'm not a Steve Irwin fan (gimme David Attenborough any day), spent quite a while reading the online articles, and caught the tail end of Enough Rope on Monday. (Which was, I think, the first time I'd seen more of Steve Irwin than those Quarantine ads.) I think that just maybe this is a newsworthy topic, and I think that the tv stations were responding to a need for us to find out what happened, rather than exploiting his death.
Although I am sure they loved the ratings bonanza his death created. (Although I am equally sure they weren't overjoyed by the actual death, even I don't think they're that callous.)

  • by tqd on September 06, 2006 at 09:27 AM

In response to Phil re Brisbane Lions - so Ch 10 are the half wits? You are a bonafide NSW citizen and you go for a team based in Brisbane, QLD?
I know it is only 2 hrs drive, but come on - supporting QLD based team??? Get a grip!! come to your senses!!
But seriously, I used to live on the Sth Coast of NSW and we got our "Channel 10" programs through Southern Cross (a seperate company that has "distribution rights" for Ch 10 in regional areas). I seem to recall they had the ability to select some shows they wanted to show or not show? Wouldn't the broadcaster up in Nthn NSW have the same ability. I know in and around Wagga - back in the days when Ch.7 had the AFL, the local Ch.7 down there (prime tv) would show the AFL on Friday night as AFL and NRL are equally popular.

  • by Chris on September 06, 2006 at 10:31 AM

I'm continually amazed how Border Security goes from strength to strength - 2.3M!!

  • by jake on September 06, 2006 at 10:58 AM

...and what a great one article it is TM. Was reading yesterdays to few work colleagues, was very well done. We were all trying to work out if we were fat or skinny based on out TV habits!!

Seems bit harsh not paying at all for blogs, but I guess if it is popular, maybe they will give you a second article per week?

Back to TV, am really enjoying Exras - Andy, the Ricky Gervias character is much more likeable than David Brent - he tries really hard to be a good person, but his desperation to be a star just clouds his judgement. The female offsider is a classic, not a "dumb" person, just totally thoughtless in regards to some things, but not in a malicious way.

Kate Winslet was a classic in last weeks show. I implore all fans of comedy to watch it, but give it a few episodes to really hit its mark - not to say the episodes are not funny, just that you need to get to know the characters before it really resonates.

  • by Chris on September 06, 2006 at 11:21 AM

Jake - "I'm continually amazed how Border Security goes from strength to strength - 2.3M!!"

so am i, in 2004, it was getting 1.1-1.2m viewers. Thats normal, but 2.36m is absurd.

  • by William on September 06, 2006 at 11:28 AM

So, how long will it be before Eddie, or Naomi, or Mel and Kochie, interview the guy who once fixed Steve Irwin's brother in law's next door neighbour's uncle's telly 15 years ago? Another Beconsfield in the making?

  • by Rob Brollo on September 06, 2006 at 12:25 PM

Anybody watch "Real Stories" last night. I would love this show to be good, we desperately need some good Aussie comedy on the box, but I found it extremely dissapointing. In fact, I found it really offensive at some points (and I'm in no way a prude). In this months GQ Ricky Gervais noted that the most important thing about comedy is "empathy". Its pretty hard to feel empathy towards comments about a "We're Glad Princess Diana is Dead Fan Club". I'd rather see this show do well than any American import, but geez it's got to lift.

  • by paceman on September 06, 2006 at 12:30 PM

I was intending to watch Seven's Steve Irwin special presentation last night but as soon as I saw those buffoons from Sunrise, Mel & Kochie, I promptly turned the TV off. Aren't these guys on Seven enough??

Anyway, tonight's viewing is looking good for a laugh with TGYH back on Ten followed by S&S, Extras & Glasshouse on ABC.

  • by Sacs on September 06, 2006 at 12:43 PM

TM, why do I sense some hostility from you towards Ch9? I know that you always favour Ch7 over any other channels but do you have to make it obvious?

Tribal Mind replies: No special hostility to Nine. They are all dinosaurs, doomed to extinction within ten years. Nine is just slower to realise it.

  • by eric on September 06, 2006 at 12:53 PM

sorry, but can never find were you post this; How did Doctor Who go on sat night? Yet another cliffhanger. Dammit.

Tribal Mind replies: I give the Dr Who ratings every Sunday morning. So to find last week's, go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind and look down the list until you find a story headed "The ratings race: Week 35". Or keep reading this blog until Sunday.

  • by pea on September 06, 2006 at 01:07 PM

I'm not so much amazed about Border Security going from strength to strength, what amazes me is the leniency in the penalties handed out for breaches in importing food. What's with these dopey people hauling mountains of food into the country when most of it is available here? People living here should know that, at least. Funny that they're rarely your home-grown Aussies breaking the law.

  • by jennie on September 06, 2006 at 01:37 PM

So how did The Wedge rate? And who exactly watches it enough to justify a second season?

Tribal Mind replies: Wedge 851,000. It is highly watched by 16-24s, who have not seen the jokes before.

  • by Paul on September 06, 2006 at 03:08 PM

Hey TM can you please tell me the figures for real stories and rove. Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: Real Stories 757,000. Rove 795,000.

  • by Ty on September 06, 2006 at 03:20 PM

"TM, how did "swarms" on Ch.9 rate last night?
Tribal Mind replies: 1.02 million. What was it like?"
Ok... about swarms of animals, wont be watching again though

Tribal Mind asks: That's not very illuminating. Swarms of animals doing what? Is it fiction or non fiction? Sci-fi horror or kiddie cuteness?

  • by MP on September 06, 2006 at 03:45 PM

Tribal Mind replies: "You have to remember that only 25% of Australian households subscribe to pay. And of that, a tiny percentage is interested in Rockstar."

I suppose my point is that if 25% of homes subscribe to Fox, Rockstar should be getting at least 25% of the audience of Idol... but it's not. So I'm suggesting that a few more subscribers should get into it (although in another 10 days it'll be too late)

  • by sharon on September 06, 2006 at 03:56 PM

Hey TM,
I know you usually give me 'The Bill's' ratings at the end to the week, but could you give me last night's figure. One trend that I am noticing is that, fans seem to be dropping away because there isn't any soap elements in the show, as to what there was a couple of months ago when the old producer was in charge. This trend has beeen the same in England, where soap fans have dropped away because they are finding it too crime oriented.
Thanks again
Daniel

Tribal Mind replies: 869,000. What does that mean?

  • by Daniel on September 06, 2006 at 04:41 PM

Daniel - you should take note that all the soaps in the UK have been dropping away except for the standards Eastenders/Corrie/Hollyoaks.
Footballers Wives and Bad Girls have been cancelled. The Bill was dropping away before they revamped the format.

  • by pete on September 06, 2006 at 05:32 PM

Daniel wrote: "One trend that I am noticing is that, fans seem to be dropping away because there isn't any soap elements in the show, as to what there was a couple of months ago when the old producer was in charge."
You're kidding, right? Before the change in direction, everyone was moaning that The Bill had become too soapy and that many people were being driven away because of it. Now you're saying that people are not watching because the soap's been dropped in favour of crime driven stories? All I can say is that you couldn't have been watching Tuesday's ep - it was virtually all soap (though infinitely better done under the new director).
In any case, the audience figures seem pretty much the same as usual to me (give or take the occasional blip).

  • by damien on September 06, 2006 at 06:45 PM

It would be interesting to know what the viewing number patterns are like in other countries and if the drift away from FTA is occuring at a faster rate in those countries with a decent broadband speed compared to ours.

  • by nigel on September 06, 2006 at 06:47 PM

Fans of Top Gear may be interested to know that Debi Enker, writer from Green Guide of SMH's sister paper The Age, will discuss the program with Jon Faine on his morning program on ABC Melbourne (774 on the AM dial) this Thursday between 10am and 10.30am. If you live outside Melbourne you can listen to the live streaming on the station's website:
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/
Also, congratulations to Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, who was named TV personality of the year at the GQ awards in London last night.

  • by Johnson on September 06, 2006 at 08:30 PM

In response to Pete:
They didn't revamp the format, but instead the have been slowly decreasing the amount of soapy elements in each episode. Also I can tell you that you are wrong saying Eastenders/Corrie and Hollyoaks aren't losing viewers. Eastenders dropped to all-time low records last month and the same with Holly. The only soap that can hang it's head up high is Corrie. What is happening with the Bill, the same goes for in England as well is that we are seeing the Soap fans drop away from the show. Obviously ratings will tell you that The Bill has always rated better as an all crime show, than soap and many fans were calling for The Bill to go back to crime, but now that it has fortunately gone back to crime, the crime fans somehow still think it is a soap. I personnally think the show is alot better under new producer Johnathan Young, but I do think we need some more anti-climax scenes and some sensationalism wouldn't be bad, just as long as it doesn't go back to a soap.

  • by Daniel on September 06, 2006 at 08:45 PM

TM, how is The Uplate Game Show rating compared to Quizmania and Midnight Zoo (if it's still on)

Tribal Mind replies: MZ 59,000. UGS 53,000. Q 48,000. But audience size doesn't matter, because these shows pay for themselves with phone calls and ads.

  • by Norman on September 06, 2006 at 09:53 PM

Because there are so many people who love 'The Wedge' here, I thought I should tell you all that the DVDs ARE COMING! They will be released in 6 or 7 episode packs for $25 (EZY DVD).

You'll also be pleased to know that EZY DVD has used words like 'hit', 'outstanding', 'memorable', 'groundbreaking' and 'magical' in the blurb things.

This should keep haters of 'The Wedge' occupied for at least a week. :)

  • by William on September 06, 2006 at 10:34 PM

Sharon Wrote: Tribal Mind replies: "You have to remember that only 25% of Australian households subscribe to pay. And of that, a tiny percentage is interested in Rockstar."
  I suppose my point is that if 25% of homes subscribe to Fox, Rockstar should be getting at least 25% of the audience of Idol... but it's not. So I'm suggesting that a few more subscribers should get into it (although in another 10 days it'll be too late)


Not quite a fair comparison, Sharon. If there were, say 1 million idol viewers, then you would have to multiply that by 6 (because there are 6 free-to-air channels nationally) and divide by the number of cable channels and then multiply that by the 25% of the audiance. So let's see... 1000000x6/24x25% = 62,500 per million idol viewers (if I'm right and there are about 24 channels on Australian Cable). Now, according to the figures quoted by TM above, Idol has been getting 1.4-1.6 million, so let's call it a neat 1? million. That gives an estimated audiance for Supernova of 1? x 62,500, or 93,750. So if it's actually getting only 73,000 then it's underperforming - though I have seen figures quoted in these blogs in recent weeks of 97-odd thousand, which is a little above my rough-and-ready guesstimate. And, just as Idol is rarely a number 1 programme for the week, but is a solid performer this year, so the Cable network that "airs" it can claim supernova as a comparable success.

  • by Mike Bourke on September 07, 2006 at 02:07 AM

Hi all,
I just noticed what Channel 9 have got on offer next Wednesday night (Mothers at War, Great Weight Debate) and I had to think that maybe Seven isn't down and out this year after all. For the last few weeks it's been all one-way traffic for Nine, and Seven have been the one slopping their schedule together to disastrous effect (in comparison that is, to the stellar beginning they had), but now these two 'specials'? Looks like the pot is drying up just as fast at Nine, and unfortunately for viewers it'll mean rather limited choices until we see who goes into cardiac arrest first. This year will be lost, not won, I think...
Speaking of Lost, that needs to go straight back in to Thursday nights in October if Seven want to a) win the year but b) keep any interest in the show alive. They should look directly at the ratings for 24 if they want a clue as to how a great series can die after being butchered by programmers. Ditto for Prison Break...

  • by Daniel (2) in Dubai on September 07, 2006 at 03:55 AM

Re: What is Swamps about?
non-fiction, bizarre things like crocs tossing buffalos away, japanese hornets and their effects etc

  • by MP on September 07, 2006 at 09:34 AM

It's interesting to see that 'Australians do rely on Channel 9 for their news and current affairs'. When there's an important news event such as Beaconsfield and Irwin, 9 News and ACA bounce back as you can see in the ratings.

  • by Clem on September 07, 2006 at 10:50 AM

It was so good having 'Thank God You're Here' back last night and what huge ratings with such strong competition against it. Some great laughs, can't wait for more. It's been fine-tuned slightly with less of videotaped skits, which has improved the show. It's great that they used some new talent too because it keeps the show fresh. Someone should tell the networks that they need to make more new and innovative shows like this to bring the viewers back. Take some risks and you will be rewarded.

If Ch 10 are smart, they'll show the rest of the new episodes of House and then launch a new show in this timeslot to benefit from the huge audience watching 'TGYH'.

  • by J Bar on September 07, 2006 at 10:57 AM

Can anyone tell me what happened in the last 10 minutes of NCIS? We had a very untimely black-out. Thankfully the black-out didn't happen during House. Great show!

Did anyone else have a black-out?

  • by dave on September 07, 2006 at 11:00 AM

I'm interested as to how much Extras rated. The funniest show on TV, and after last week's hilarious Kate Winslet ep, it still can't crack a million which is disappointing. Then again, the DVD is already available so that might explain it.

Tribal Mind replies: 785,000.

  • by A.A on September 07, 2006 at 11:03 AM

TM: Who won 7.30 melb slot TGYH or Nine's puff piece ? Interested if nine's 55 + demo help win the slot. tia

Tribal Mind replies: TGYH way ahead with 622,000 to SI's 529,000.

  • by paora on September 07, 2006 at 11:05 AM

"Extras' didn't crack the top 15? That's a shame, last night's episode was the funnniest so far (it didn't even matter not knowing who the 'star' was).

  • by par3182 on September 07, 2006 at 11:07 AM

Clem at September 7, 2006 10:50 AM

Maybe youre right, but I think the viewers may have been inadvertently stacked by Channel 7 and their idea to have Naomi 'I didnt know my boyfriend was a drug dealer' Robson (cough - rubbish) standing there at Australia Zoo in khaki's with a lizard on her shoulder. Some people switched away in disgust. Me... I laughed my arse off, as this was a real live Frontline moment if I have ever seen one!

The only thing funnier is to hear the producers blame a wardrobe assistant and a young Irwin fan for this debacle...

  • by Mat on September 07, 2006 at 11:12 AM

WOOhoo... I legitimately CANT WAIT for the Wedge dvds - Rebel Wilson is hilarious!!

  • by T on September 07, 2006 at 11:19 AM

I thought Thank God You're Here last night was pretty lame for the most part (if it wasn't for Tony Martin). And how the hell did Anh Do win? Who the hell is he anyway? And Cal Wilson was just plain annoying. Hope it gets better.

  • by damien on September 07, 2006 at 11:25 AM

Mike Bourke at September 7, 2006 02:07 AM

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the maths lesson! ;o) What were you doing getting so technical at 2am? You're right though, I was over-simplifying with my direct comparison. And if Fox 8 thinks that 73-97k is good ratings then that's great. As a fan I just wish there were more people to have water cooler conversations about it with!

  • by Sharon on September 07, 2006 at 11:38 AM

paceman, the other weeks have been funnier. But i had a laugh in this weeks RealStories. I agree they did use some rather "strong" adult themes/langauge - but it was on at 9pm so i guess you can't really compain - Ronnie Johns is worse with their language i think.
Hamish and Andy are great though - was really glad Hamish got another go on TGYH last night!

  • by TGI Thursday on September 07, 2006 at 11:46 AM

Is Hamish the new Eddie Everywhere - 3 different shows in a week - TGYH, Spicks And Specks - Real Sories- Aus is running out of talent- or should I say NZ

  • by ac on September 07, 2006 at 11:56 AM

Response to William -'The Wedge'... DVDs ARE COMING! 6 or 7 episode packs for $25 (EZY DVD).

Wow, it's the perfect present for someone you hate. I might get a copy for Germaine Greer. Thanks for the info. Any guesses of how long it will take to land in the $3.99 bin at JB. I predict 10 days.

  • by sean on September 07, 2006 at 12:06 PM

The best thing about TGYH last night. No Fifi Box. Or Kate Langbroek.

The worst thing. How in blazes did Anh Do "win" last night? That red haired chick was much better, Hamish was just stupid - seemed he was trying to sya as outlandish replies as possible, but Tony Martin was the standout. Radical.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on September 07, 2006 at 12:36 PM

Great to see Karl is doing a stellar job on ACA - go Karl!

  • by Tilly on September 07, 2006 at 01:23 PM

Daniel - you should take note that all the soaps in the UK have been dropping away except for the standards Eastenders/Corrie/Hollyoaks.
Footballers Wives and Bad Girls have been cancelled. The Bill was dropping away before they revamped the format.
* Posted by: pete at September 6, 2006 05:32 PM
As far as I know, Bad Girls is still running....and is yet to be cancelled after eight series
The Wedge on DVD...it has to be remembered somehow and besides it