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The Ratings Race: Week nine

This blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current. To join the latest discussion on media and popular culture, go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind.
What Australia watched, Thursday
As Lost sank further, Nine won Thursday night. But the prime time audience shares up to this point in the week are ABC 15.7%, Seven 30.3%, Nine 28.1%, Ten 21.2%, SBS 4.8%.
1. RPA Nine 1.506
2. Missing Persons Unit Nine 1.350
3. Seven News Seven 1.283
4. Today Tonight Seven 1.238
5. Nine News Nine 1.193
6. My Name Is Earl Seven 1.182
7. Lost Seven 1.150

8. Law and Order: SVU Ten 1.147
9. A Current Affair Nine 1.129
10. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.101
11. Getaway Nine 1.042
12. Home and Away Seven 1.008
13. Saving Babies Ten 0.986
14. Temptation Nine 0.961
15. Law and Order: Criminal Intent Ten 0.960
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Wednesday
The prime time audience shares up to this point in the week are ABC 15.9%, Seven 31.5%, Nine 27.2%, Ten 20.7%, SBS 4.7%.
1 BORDER SECURITY (Rpt) Seven 1,606,000
2 HOUSE Ten 1,504,000
3 SCU: SERIOUS CRASH UNIT Seven 1,478,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,415,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,360,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,248,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,228,000
8 HEROES Seven 1,219,000
9 MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS Nine 1,166,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,114,000
11 WITHOUT A TRACE Nine 1,100,000
12 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,069,000
13 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,043,000
14 ABC NEWS ABC 1,013,000
15 COLD CASE Nine 1,007,000
16 TEMPTATION Nine 997,000
17 MEDIUM Ten 995,000
18 PRISON BREAK - ON THE RUN Seven 978,000
19 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 919,000
20 THE NEW INVENTORS ABC 893,000
21 EXTRAS ABC 838,000
22 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 779,000
23 THE CON TEST Ten 776,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 DANCING WITH THE STARS Seven 1,726,000 544,000 504,000 315,000 174,000 190,000
2 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,381,000 461,000 422,000 166,000 151,000 181,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,285,000 347,000 313,000 256,000 164,000 206,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,251,000 376,000 401,000 239,000 128,000 107,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,221,000 359,000 334,000 212,000 132,000 183,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,161,000 348,000 390,000 207,000 131,000 85,000
7 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Ten 1,157,000 252,000 354,000 213,000 165,000 172,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,098,000 342,000 312,000 202,000 92,000 150,000
9 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,080,000 258,000 292,000 232,000 152,000 146,000
10 THE SIMPSONS TUES Ten 1,031,000 231,000 320,000 188,000 150,000 144,000
11 NCIS Ten 1,010,000 236,000 302,000 190,000 144,000 138,000
12 ABC NEWS ABC 1,001,000 304,000 261,000 196,000 117,000 123,000
13 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION -RPT Nine 950,000 237,000 305,000 188,000 102,000 118,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)
Updated 10 am Tuesday, February 27
sit_boratcannes5.jpg George Miller wasn't the only Australian winner from the Oscars. By showing the awards from 7.30 to nearly midnight, Channel Nine got Monday's biggest prime time audience share -- 30.1 per cent to Seven's 28.7.

Since the figure for Desperate Housewives was down by only a few thousand, it seems most viewers adopted a strategy of flicking back and forth between the Despos and DeGeneres. Supernatural maintained its usual 875,000 loyalists, but Top Gear dropped to 554,000. During daylight hours, Nine's new talk show The Catch-Up managed 244,000 against Oprah Winfrey's 170,000 and 299,000 for Seven's midday movie.

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,443,000 366,000 395,000 273,000 169,000 241,000
2 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,367,000 405,000 415,000 212,000 159,000 175,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,326,000 356,000 353,000 285,000 149,000 183,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,325,000 421,000 404,000 222,000 156,000 122,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,241,000 416,000 356,000 243,000 138,000 88,000
6 THE RICH LIST Seven 1,186,000 285,000 399,000 202,000 148,000 152,000
7 TEMPTATION Nine 1,141,000 341,000 358,000 210,000 136,000 97,000
8 BIGGEST LOSER ELIMINATION Ten 1,111,000 322,000 318,000 226,000 113,000 130,000
9 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,107,000 340,000 320,000 189,000 120,000 138,000
10 ACADEMY AWARDS Nine 1,087,000 405,000 313,000 164,000 83,000 123,000
11 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,071,000 297,000 306,000 217,000 102,000 147,000
12 ACADEMY AWARDS RED CARPET Nine 1,031,000 345,000 308,000 165,000 108,000 105,000
13 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 1,008,000 283,000 239,000 276,000 87,000 123,000
14 ABC NEWS ABC 993,000 316,000 270,000 165,000 111,000 130,000
15 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 981,000 280,000 325,000 151,000 121,000 104,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Monday February 26
Channel Seven won the first week of "normal" programming so convincingly (31.0 per cent of the prime time audience to Nine's 26.2 per cent), it's hard to see how Nine could possibly recover this year. But there are potholes in the road to the top for history's perennial number two network:

1202stayintouch.jpg 1) Despite the presence of Naomi Robson (previously rated by this column as one of the most beautiful people on television), Dancing with The Stars started modestly - averaging 1.81 million in the mainland capitals. For comparisons, go to The shows Australia loved.
2) On Wednesdays, Ten's House keeps pulling viewers from Seven's Heroes, which started with 2 million and is now below 1.4 million.
3) Nine keeps winning Thursdays because the sitcom How I Met Your Mother gets Seven's night off to very slow start.

Ugly Betty was expected to lose viewers to hottie hostie last night, after Nine paid the Fiennes romancer to wear a bikini and tell 60 Minutes she "might" be pregnant. In fact, 60 Minutes gained only 100,000 and Seven won Sunday with 32.1 per cent audience share to Nine's 27.3. Viewers may not be the suckers that Nine imagines.

But Seven's troubles are trivial compared to Ten's trials at the moment. Last week it averaged 20.8 per cent of the prime time audience (ABC 16.4, SBS 5.6). Its game show, The Con Test managed only 719,000 on Wednesday, putting it below the figure that brought the executioner to Yasmin's Getting Married last year. On Sunday, Ten's Celebrity Dog School managed 545,000 against Seven's no less silly Australia's Got Talent. On Friday the finale of the former youth favourite The OC got only 654,000.

You may imagine Ten's programmers are making daily calls to the producers of Thank God You're Here, screaming "Are you ready yet, are you ready yet?" But with Big Brother and Australian Idol still to come, Ten's performance is bound to improve this year. Can Nine say the same?

What Australia watched, Sunday
1. Ugly Betty Seven 1.851m
2. Grey's Anatomy Seven 1.730
3. Seven News Seven 1.419
4. Australia's Got Talent Seven 1.391
5. CSI Nine 1.379
6. CSI: Miami Nine 1.211
7. 60 Minutes Nine 1.159
8. Nine Sunday News Nine 1.157
9. 20 to 1 Nine 1.142
10. Planet Earth ABC 1.117
11. Foyle's War ABC 1.114
12. ABC News ABC 1.092
13. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.034
14. What About Brian Seven 0.939
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, week ending February 24
1 Ugly Betty (7) 2.05m
2 Dancing With The Stars (7) 1.81m
3 Grey's Anatomy (7) 1.66m
4 Australia's Got Talent (7) 1.65
5 RPA (9) 1.53
6 Desperate Housewives (7) 1.54
7 Seven News Sunday (7) 1.45
8 SCU: Serious Crash Unit (7) 1.42
9 Border Security repeat (7) 1.42
10 All Saints (7) 1.39
11 Heroes (7) 1.37
12 CSI Ep2 (9) 1.36
13 Missing Persons Unit (9) 1.34
14 House (10) 1.34
15 CSI Ep1 (9) 1.32
16 Seven weekday news (7) 1.31
17 1 vs 100 (9) 1.27
18 My Name Is Earl (7) 1.26
19 Today Tonight (7) 1.24
20 Lost (7) 1.23
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). His latest book is Soffritto -- A delicious Ligurian memoir. For further observations of Australian attitudes and behaviour, go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind.

COMMENTS

WOW channel 7 had 9 or the top 10 shows for the week !!!!!
9 is becoming worse and worse

  • by brendon on February 25, 2007 at 09:47 AM

even better that ch7 got 14 of the top 20!!! im so glad ch9 has got the thumping it deserved, BUT im sure the pensioners will keep ch9 afloat for some time to come... :(

  • by bob on February 25, 2007 at 11:40 AM

Someone had a great idea last week that I htink went largely uncommented on: for 7 to swap Heroes and Lost to the other one's night, thus giving Heroes a chance to rebound against lesser competition and for Lost to do its thing against House. Whoever said it has a good eye for this whole thing... and someone else asked for the best source for US ratings info. By far the best site that I can find is www.hollywoodreporter.com
Will be interesting to see if Ugly Lisa can steal from Ugly Betty tonight. I doubt it will be much (1.7mil for Betty, 1.3mil for 60mins)

  • by Daniel (who was) in Dubai on February 25, 2007 at 11:54 AM

It's going to be a long year for Ch9.

  • by Reid on February 25, 2007 at 12:10 PM

Glad to see channel 7 paying through the nose for the AFL, then sending the coverage back to the 80's.
Outdated graphics, music and a tired team, bar Cometti.
And the jerky camera is also a good one.

  • by jed on February 25, 2007 at 04:27 PM

Reid wrote: It's going to be a long year for Ch9.

They can but hope Ralph Feinnes has more quickies in aircraft toilets. Kind of an ironic way of evoking the question "how low can they go?"
Next they will run interviews with 28 or 40 of the most likely fathers of Anna Nicole's baby. If the mile high hostie outrates Planet Earth I think global warming is the least of our problems.

  • by Cat on February 25, 2007 at 04:35 PM

They can but hope Ralph Feinnes has more quickies in aircraft toilets. Kind of an ironic way of evoking the question "how low can they go?"


Why is 60 minutes playing something like this ? This is the quality of programming I would expect on ACA or TT ?

  • by randwick geoff on February 25, 2007 at 05:39 PM

What Mr. Dale has been saying about The Con Test show's days being numbered is 100 % correct, as News Ltd has Ten's programmer saying in their newspapers, that the show (and the crap Celeb Dog Scool show) is in trouble, but not going as far as saying both shows are ratings disasters for Ten, which of course is the harsh reality.
Not sure if it's meant to replace The Con Test, but the same article says Ten are looking to have Austereo DJ's Hamish and Andy, host a planned Aussie version of the UK variety show 'Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'.

  • by GBaxter on February 25, 2007 at 06:30 PM

Big deal on the whole Ralph Fiennes airplane bathroom thing..so what? Is this a 60 Minutes story nowdays? Although think it would be ironic if she appears soon on the cover of 'Ralph'..

Loving What About Brian..another good episode last night

  • by Lisa on February 25, 2007 at 10:08 PM

I can not believe the number for SCU. I mean really, who finds 'how a crash occured' entertainment?
Anyway CH7 may win the year but i doubt CH9 will cop the 'thumping' that many are expecting.
Lastly in regards of CH10...instead of comparing how poorly their share of the ratings are, how about someone get some info on how many millions of dollars profit they rake in for reaching the core demographic as oppossed to the other networks
Just a thought

  • by steve on February 25, 2007 at 11:16 PM

"instead of comparing how poorly their share of the ratings are, how about someone get some info on how many millions of dollars profit they rake in for reaching the core demographic as oppossed to the other networks
Just a thought
Posted by: steve at February 25, 2007 11:16 PM"

Excuse me for saying but I'm actually really annoyed that everyone keeps plying the line of core demographics. Free to air is for everyone - should that not be the reality of who they cater to over the course of a week?
The government hands out FTA licences. They don't say "Ch 9 could you programme for the 50-dead bracket?"
If producers insist on making television for narrow bands of people they'll end up losing (as opposed to loosing, TM) audience share in all brackets.
Remember that well made shows in the past have appealed enormously to a great range and number of people (Hey, Hey or Seachange or 60 minutes before it turned cheap and trashy, or Sale of the Century or Country Practice or Dallas or Friends or Two Fat Ladies).
To me shows like Law and Order, CSI:Wherever etc are examples of unimaginative, committee made television.
All the networks will continue to suffer reduced audiences this year until they put all viewers first and not "core demographics".

  • by David @ Wahroonga on February 26, 2007 at 07:51 AM

Actually TM, it was the SECOND week of official ratings.

Tribal Mind replies: It was indeed. I said it was the first week of "normal" programming, because the first week was thrown out by a big cricket final.

  • by bugzy on February 26, 2007 at 09:51 AM

"Ugly Betty was soooo good last night, and Greys is getting soooo much better, and Grant Denyer is soooo cute and I never used to watch Ch 7 much last year, and now I watch everything - they are sooooo good."
This is a basic guide to guerilla marketing plants in blogs - see if you can find the stooges from Ch7, Ch9, Ch10 and their associated advertising agencies over the next week.
Also keep an eye out for "I came back to Lost" or "Heroes gets sooo much better after episode 4, 7, 12 etc"
Game on

Tribal Mind replies: Thanks for the alert. In the past few days I've been deleting numbers of comments which simply express such sentiments as "Yay, go Seven". They do not contribute to discussion.

  • by AlphaVictor on February 26, 2007 at 09:51 AM

i think it's funny how channel nine had this big story about channel seven paying for interviews and then they do the same thing. Honestly, it's like two kids fighting in the school playground at lunchtime, and i think viewers are getting sick of it.

  • by Robbieb on February 26, 2007 at 09:57 AM

AlphaVictor, too true! The stooges are invading at a shocking rate. Still can't get over how last week one person wrote "Channel 9 has the best personalities" when referring to the program 20 to 1! And it's funny, it's leaking through to radio. On Merrick and Rosso on Nova, Sami Lukas is part of the breakfast, and she is making some ridiculous comments about the programming on channel 9. She's become less about helping the show cater to the female demographic and more about plugging channel 9, with quotes like "I think Peter Overton asked all of the questions we wanted to hear" over the hostie scandal, when it had been commented that he was being inappropriate. Last week she was plugging 20 to 1, but then it became obvious that she was plugging it because she was actually in it. Pushing me further and further over to Triple M! Is there no escape from the channel 9 web!?

  • by Beckala on February 26, 2007 at 10:29 AM

Ugly Betty was expected to lose viewers to hottie hostie last night, after Nine paid the Fiennes romancer to wear a bikini and tell 60 Minutes she "might" be pregnant. In fact, 60 Minutes gained only 100,000 and Seven won Sunday with 32.1 per cent audience share to Nine's 27.3. Viewers may not be the suckers that Nine imagines.

My faith in human kind survives another test. I was not watching anything at 7.30 last night but I am glad those that were had the nouse to avoid the hostie.

  • by Cat on February 26, 2007 at 10:30 AM

I'll bet 9 was hoping they'd draw in a heap of voyeuristic males for the hostie spot. As soon as they showed the shorts of the hostie there was no way I was going to view. All I can say is that Ralph must have been desperate for a root if she was the best he could get.

  • by JT on February 26, 2007 at 10:34 AM

Didnt watch Ugly Betty, just can't get into it. I love Grey's but have seen up to episode 10 from downloads so it only left me with CSI last night or an early bedtime.
I must admit CSI was brillant, a great twist by the writers in having the "corpses" telling the storys. Novel idea and well done.
If I hadnt seen all those GA's eps already I would have been watching GA though.
Really, it is time Aust. networks telecast shows the same time as the US otherwise I can see a time when everyone will download and no one will bother much with FTA.
As for Ten, they really need to get their act to together. The only shows I watch there are House and Medium. Now if they put them on Sunday night, I wonder how that would change things?

  • by emily on February 26, 2007 at 10:50 AM

Dear advertising monkeys at ChTeen:
Reason you're not getting big #'s for TBL. Your ads are giving away the plot. e.g. almost everyone knew that Damien lost over 7kgs, only later in the week were the numbers in the ads at weigh-in blurred. Plus you're dragging the show out with way too much filler.
Anyhoo, I've got a message for SBS as well. Not fair that there's only 3 episodes left of this run of Top Gear. And if your program guide is anything to go by, it's 3 weeks of "best of" so it's even less fresh. No likey.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on February 26, 2007 at 10:51 AM

Can someone please explain how that tripe AGT still rated over a mill? I switched it on last night to see if there was any improvement over last week's show -sadly no, there was not. It is still awful.

  • by LAH on February 26, 2007 at 11:33 AM

I'm not a channel stooge, but I've got to say that after watching the second and third "Heroes" (recorded), that it certainly is a lot better than I thought after the first episode.
Not compulsory viewing, but I'll watch it if I'm home.
Yesterday we had a guy come to the house trying to promote the local video store. He was selling cheap books of renting coupons.
Said sorry, we have Foxtel & there's not enough hours in the day for more viewing. He looked like he'd heard that once too often!
Just as I wouldn't like to own shares in FTA TV stations, I wouldn't like to own a video/DVD rental shop these days. Dead as the Dodo?
How rotten that the brilliant Planet Earth is ignored for the crap that is 60 minutes, and a so-so sitcom.

  • by Sal on February 26, 2007 at 11:35 AM

@ LAH, it's because there's nothing else on! Who wants to watch the crap on Ten and the 1000th repeat of 20 to 1. Australia's Got Talent, is the best out of a bad bunch.

  • by bugzy on February 26, 2007 at 11:38 AM

Who cares if 7 is better than 9 (or 10 for that matter). As long as there is good TV to watch (which is more the problem if you ask me).

  • by NC on February 26, 2007 at 11:49 AM

Loved Ugly Betty, looks like it will be the big new hit for the year considering it doesn't have much competition.
By the way, how did Bridget Jones 2 go? Im surprised it didn't make the Top 14, i enjoyed watching it. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: 809,000.

  • by Michael on February 26, 2007 at 11:50 AM

Was gonna give Celeb Dog School a go last night but my TV reception was on the blink so I was stuck with Seven and SBS.
Watched the last 10 minutes of Red Faces - I mean AGT - and couldn't believe HOW BAD it was!!!
The guy playing the vaccuum cleaner??? C'mon guys!
Then finally watched Ugly Betty - and it is a comedy right? Didn't laugh once! America Ferrara is a very accomplished actress and shines in her role - but geez not one itty bitty smirk from me!
Sorry everyone - Will and Grace was 50 times funnier than this and rated a tenth of it - and BOTH shows have gay characters! So what's the deal???
Then switched over to SBS and watched the oscar nominated "saviour" and then went to bed early and read a book!
Yep - beautiful Sunday it ain't!
And as for the footy telecasts Jed - you work at Nine don't you?
TEN is indeed having problems with CDS and Con-test - but they will improve with Big Brother, TGYH and Idol, and the AFL - whereas Nine h has????

  • by bettestreep on February 26, 2007 at 11:56 AM

"Just as I wouldn't like to own shares in FTA TV stations, I wouldn't like to own a video/DVD rental shop these days. Dead as the Dodo?"
Video/DVD stores are doing better than ever. It's harder to get a new release movie off the shelves these days. Since half a year ago, I've started the 'ring & reserve' method to be completely sure whereas before you could get anything!

  • by arthur on February 26, 2007 at 12:01 PM

"@ LAH, it's because there's nothing else on! .
Posted by: bugzy at February 26, 2007 11:38 AM"

Yes Bugzy you are right. AGT's competition is pathetic. Since when did 6.30pm on a Sunday become the dead zone? I watched the Einstein factor at 6.30 and then enjoyed half an hour of something I had previously recorded.

  • by LAH on February 26, 2007 at 12:09 PM

Dear idiot programmers at Channel 10,
Time to change your format - Please do so immediately, or it will be time for you to change.
Canwest CEO.

  • by Randwick Geoff on February 26, 2007 at 12:12 PM

I found it more entertaining to watch You Tube at 6.30pm Sundays, though I do hope CH10 brings back Meerkat Manor at 6.30pm, i miss why "Whiskers" family updates.

  • by bob on February 26, 2007 at 12:20 PM

Saw on the SMH site yesterday that a crew from the soap B&B was here to film some episodes; presumably using the Bridge and the Opera House as backdrops. Just looked out the window and thought we ought to get more of these shows here to film - it would break the drought in a flash!

  • by Cat on February 26, 2007 at 12:34 PM

Is anyone one else cranky with Channel 7's blantant bid to get the ratings of What About Brian up? The preview of next weeks Grey's wasn't at the end of the episode but we were told an extended preview would be on in 5 mins. After sitting through the first 15 mins of what about Brian, I gave up waiting and changed channels.

  • by Bluie on February 26, 2007 at 12:38 PM

bettestreep- Nine has.... NRL. 3-4 nights/Arvos a week this year.
Here's my predictions for the year
Big Hit of the year - Greys 1.8-2.0mil
AFL - big in southern states - NRL big in northern states therefore will cancel each other nationally
Betty will settle around 1.5 mil - biggest competion will be when BB07/Aust Idol starts (same demo)
7 will win the year but not by much (by sheer luck of programming deals).
Lets forget all this 7 Vs 9 , who's the evil empire crap - they both treat viewers with contempt.
If you have a look they are complete mirror images of each other. They both have exactly the same format just different content based on the studios they have signed up.

  • by ac on February 26, 2007 at 12:55 PM

Agree with Bereft, I've watched the Biggest Loser the last couple of seasons but this year, think I've watched one episode. Agree there is too much filler & too much emphasis on promising "shocking twists" which do not shock, also dislike the unnecessary complicated "walk" business, shows like that rely on the casting of the personalties & contestants, they should not need devices like the "walk".

Agree with Beckala - Glad that most of Australia didn't take Ch9's bait of the hostie... although, my guess is that if Ch9 paid her $50,000 and gain an additional 100,000 viwers for 60 Minutes, Ch9 would probably be happy with that maths equation. The only upside of this tabloid nonsense is that the creditors of the hostie will see their money sooner.

Yay! Boston Legal night tonight :) Not a Ch7 stooge, praising the program not the network that shows it :)

  • by kate on February 26, 2007 at 12:57 PM

I see "What about Brian?" ended up in the top 15. Could that be because Seven advertised there would be a sneak peak at the next "Grey's Anatomy" five minutes after the show ended but never showed it . . .

  • by Curious on February 26, 2007 at 01:13 PM

Oh man.. I know im not in the demographic.. but watched the last ten minutes of Ugly Betty and I seriously cant see the attraction to this show.
Planet Earth was funnier.
Great Episode of GA though.
By the way.. What numbers did Planet Earth get?

Tribal Mind replies: It's in the ratings chart, above. It save everybody time if, before askigtn questions, contributors to this blog would read the column it is supposed to be about.

  • by phatmaniac on February 26, 2007 at 01:25 PM

Don't people want more from their FTA networks? Why all this "glad to see Ch 9 get what they deserve" stuff. Geez! We only have a few FTA networks, yet it seems some people are glad when networks fail simply cos they don't like certain network personalities etc...I want Ch 9 to lift it's game to give me real choice on the box. I don't care what channel a show is on, as long as it's quality. As it is, i go for a walk at 6.30 on Sunday nights, and switch off most other nights too! I accept that some people see Ugly Betty or Desperate Housewives or CSI or The Wedge as entertainment and enjoy them. I don't, but what i like even less than these shows is the amount of rubbish on our screens nowadays. Instead of waving your network flag "Go Channel 7 (or 9 or 10)" how about demanding the networks provide nore quality programs. Don't settle for rubbish, switch off and get some exercise.

  • by Wardy on February 26, 2007 at 01:30 PM

Anyone else annoyed that Channel 7 decided to bombard us with 5 minutes of What About Barry before they showed next weeks trailer for Greys Anatomy? Poor form Ch 7. Poor form. Betty will also start hemoreaging viewers I reckon. It just isn't funny. Very very bad show. I also watched Sixty Minutes last night and it reminded me why I stopped watching it in the first place.

All it will take is just one network to show a decent show on Sunday's and they'll take the market.

Until then, its back to BBQ's and DVD's for us on Sunday nights.

  • by TV Tart on February 26, 2007 at 01:33 PM

Beckala - If you don't want to hear tv promos on morning radio stay away from Triple M. All Fifi Box talks about is DWTS. I understand the girl is excited to be on the show but we don't need to hear about it every day.

  • by Phil on February 26, 2007 at 02:22 PM

@ ac "They both have exactly the same format just different content based on the studios they have signed up. "
And what format is that....they both show programs?

  • by bugzy on February 26, 2007 at 02:23 PM

I'm a big big fan of the West Wing and if any of the whispers are right that the ABC plans on axing it before the season finishes I plan on starting a petition to keep it on air. Do I have any supporters??? This is one of the best dramas to ever front our screens and to have had to suffer the amount of channel changing/program shifting this program has endured over the years would just about drive any loyal viewer off watching it. BUT MOST OF US HAVE STAYED LOYAL TO THE PROGRAM SO MEMO TO THE ABC -(if they read this blog) please lets aim to keep The West Wing on the same channel in the same timeslot for the remainder of this season - is that too much to ask??

  • by craig on February 26, 2007 at 03:06 PM

Wardy, I think people want to see Channel 9 fail because of their past arrogance. Things like the CSI cliffhanger where they broke up a 2 hour show and played them at opposite ends of summer and so forth, not to mention their treatment of The Soprano's, Rome, etc...
Although the other networks do it too, 9 has been pretty blatant about it. I agree it would be nice to have channel 9 operating with respect for the viewers, but I want to see them take a hit first before they pull their heads out of the sand, they deserve it.

  • by Mat on February 26, 2007 at 03:20 PM

I wonder how much of the drop for Heroes (2 million down to 1.37m) can be attributed to downloads on the Internet?
I watched the first 2 episodes on Ch 7, then downloaded the rest and had a commercial free Heroes Marathon, so now I am up to date with the USA and can watch them as I please. It will take Ch 7 more then 3 months to screen the episodes I have already seen.
The same goes for Lost - commercial free at a time of my choice.
As downloads become more popular, are we going to see the FTA networks redefine what "good viewing figures" are?
Paul

  • by Paul on February 26, 2007 at 03:44 PM

After 10 dragged out the season of House and NCIS last year by putting in repeats mixed in with new episodes I got jack of watching them at all, I'll either download them or buy the season DVD's when they are released.
btw how did NCIS rate last week?

Tribal Mind replies: Check The Ratings Race: Week 8 in www.smh.com.au/tribalmind.

  • by Daz on February 26, 2007 at 04:04 PM

Craig - I think you can relax simply because it is only a matter of weeks (at 2 eps a week) left and the ABC programming department does not strike me as that quick. I am not looking forward to it being replaced by the election night coverage though because if anything would illustrate how sad Iemma and Debnam are it would be a comparison to these fictional candidates.

  • by Cat on February 26, 2007 at 04:18 PM

Cat - thanks for the update re The West Thing - I actually thought there were about 12 episodes to come but if there's only 2 saturdays to go then, hopefully, the programmers at the ABC will leave it alone. Fancy running the NSW election coverage after The West Wing - what an anti-climax!

  • by CRAIG on February 26, 2007 at 04:34 PM

Just wondering how 60 Minutes faired compared to it's previous average?
What(mainly)rubbish it showed last night! The snake story was OK, but a story about a fight attendent with a certain actor and a story about another actress. Give me a break! Entertainment Tonight anyone?
Fancy that Ch9 paid supposedly $100K for the flight attendent's sex story and the "oh I could be knocked up - 1 month later..). If For anyone who wants to see that level of mindless viewing, TT and ACA are on 5 nights a week!
Following the utter lack of viewable material on last night, I can see the future Sunday night viewing becoming the THIRD DVD night of the week. Endless repeats of CSI or Ugly Betty are not considered substitutes.
It has other benefits too - no more annoying "APIA 50's forum", no more "Thrush Lady" or "Mouth Cancer Lady" at meal times.... anyone else agree?

Tribal MNind repolies: Last year 60 Minutes averaged 1.4 million.

  • by Bluedave on February 26, 2007 at 04:37 PM

No Craig it is nt two weeks (I said a matter of weeks) but at 2 a week if your estimate is correct (I thought it was approx 10) that is hopefully a short enough time frame to stay the axe. Given it is a NSW election I wonder though if the ABC, being the ABC, will not show the West Wing at all in lieu of Antony Green opining away. It would put NSW one week behind the other states if they do.
I doubt the ABC can afford a mole here but if there are any could they clear it up for Craig and I and the other WW fans?

  • by Cat on February 26, 2007 at 05:04 PM

On another note
TM would you be able to use your contacts and tell the networks how annoying those scrolls on the bottom of the screen are. You know the ones advertising a program right in the middle of another program. I mean it really isn't necessary.
I've noticed the main ones advertised this way are mainly the most popular like Desperate Housewives and The Biggest Loser. I mean people don't really need constant reminder of when their favourite shows are on do they??

  • by steve on February 26, 2007 at 05:11 PM

So, was anyone able to drag themselves away from their computer long enough to watch "The Catch Up" crash and burn? It'll be interesting to see what the figures are tomorrow, since the nanna set I've spoken to are awfully cranky about the demise of Y&R and can't afford Foxtel to get their Victor Newman fix.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on February 26, 2007 at 05:22 PM

Now that Forrest Whittaker has won the Best Actor Academy Award, TEN should promote 'The Shield' a lot more considering it stars the brilliant actor as an Internal Affairs cop set on nailing the troubled Mackey.

Hey TM, how did The Shield rate last night? It really is a well acted and written show.

  • by Shieldfan on February 26, 2007 at 06:29 PM

Where will FTA television go if the viewers just keep on decreasing because people starts downloading new episodes on the net? I just don't get why people have to watch episodes prior to the whole australia seeing it... and then, write about number of viewers decreasing... geez, just be thankful on what you've got, after all, it FTA television!!!

  • by Justin on February 26, 2007 at 06:37 PM

If you are watching Ugly Betty, then trust me you want to continue watching it,cause it only gets better with great story lines. Watch Ugly Betty sunday on 7. best new show.

  • by Anonymous on February 26, 2007 at 07:02 PM

BEREFT, I saw 10 mins of The Catch Up and that 10mins was more than enough, the show is rubbish its boring and the writing across the screen with all the latest news is annoying to watch its just an extra hour of the today show or sunrise but at 1pm

TRIBAL MIND.. how did The Catch Up on 9 rate against Oprah on ten at 1pm????

  • by david on February 26, 2007 at 08:54 PM

Craig re your comment
Cat - thanks for the update re The West Thing - I actually thought there were about 12 episodes to come but if there's only 2 saturdays to go...

They are only up to the debate, you aren't even halfway through season 7, at 2 eps a week I would think you have 7 or so weeks left but well worth it. I skipped the debate after 10 minutes tho, the joys of DVD!

  • by Lou on February 26, 2007 at 10:21 PM

Watched Brothers and Sisters last night, and it is a really good piece of drama. It really is similar like Grey's Anatomy and it also has less commercials, probably to fill in time as The Rich List and DH always go overtime. Sally Field and Rachel Griffith's do an amazing job as portraying their characters. Too bad about the decreasing number of viewers though.

  • by Joanne on February 26, 2007 at 10:58 PM

Tribal Mind replies: Thanks for the alert. In the past few days I've been deleting numbers of comments which simply express such sentiments as "Yay, go Seven". They do not contribute to discussion."

TM, is it not only fair that finally, after years of boring programming aimed at the 50+ crowd, that a network with fresh new shows that has always been the under dog, finally excels! What is the harm in appreciating that?
Disclaimer: I am not in TV, but i do watch it :)

Tribal Mind replies: No harm in appreciating that, but it's boring for a blog to have a string of messages saying no more than "Yay, go Seven". I hope readers would have a little more to say.

  • by pete on February 26, 2007 at 11:11 PM

Justin wrote: "I just don't get why people have to watch episodes prior to the whole australia seeing it... and then, write about number of viewers decreasing... geez, just be thankful on what you've got"
You're right Justin, I should be thankful for:
* Seeing shows two or more years behind their original air dates.
* Episodes being moved around at a whim or at the last moment.
* Series being prematurely dropped.
* Episodes being pre-empted by 'special' events.
* Programs running over time/starting late.
* Constant commercial break interruptions.
* Promos running over the top of programs.
* Cutting content to squeeze in more ads.
So yes, there is indeed a lot to be thankful for. Me, I'm thankful for my computer and Internet connection!

  • by damien on February 26, 2007 at 11:31 PM

Hi TM, just wondering how Supernatural went?

Tribal Mind replies: It's midnight. The people meters don't send their data to the OzTAm computer for another two hours.

  • by Kristy on February 26, 2007 at 11:45 PM

Does any one know if Corner Gas has finished on SBS fridays?

  • by ned on February 27, 2007 at 07:52 AM

Watched a couple of hours of the Oscars (while flicking between 4 corners and mediawatch - both excellent last night).
The Oscars was terrible. Is it just me or was the sound quality eg placement of microphones, microphone volumes, background music, and audience mics all appallingly mixed?
Ellen DeGeneres seemed to die a comedic death onstage multiple times. A lot of what she said just wasn't funny here in this lounge room (but we don't know if it was funny in the auditorium cause we couldn't hear any laughter!!).
Speeches continue to be a problem for people. Why don't they try and think of something to say beforehand or do a class? As one of the "billion" viewers I don't watch for bad acceptance speeches that's for sure.

  • by David @ Wahroonga on February 27, 2007 at 07:53 AM

Phil, I discovered Fifi's enthusiasm for DWTS this morning. But that said, I can kind of accept hers a bit more than Sami Lukis, because she is actually on the show, plus to stay on there she needs the votes. Sami Lukis is basically acting like a channel 9 stooge at the moment, supporting their programs but basically looking like it is just her opinion. But it's really clear that she has an ulterior motive, as she kept bagging out channel 10 shows, but didn't really say why she was bagging them out. But once again, there is no escaping the channel stooges! At least Hamish and Andy in the afternoon are keeping it clean. For now.

  • by Beckala on February 27, 2007 at 08:11 AM

Posted by: Justin at February 26, 2007 6:37 PM


Mate, the FTA networks CHOOSE to stuff us around. They have the option of decreasing airtime delays between the US and the UK and here, but they don't, they hold the viewer over the barrel and make us sit through all their rubbish advertising, pop ups, and basically everything Damien already posted at 11:31 last night.

Its people like you who are happy to accept this that allows the networks to think it's OK to treat the viweres with contempt.

The only way it will change is if figures drop, irritating advertisers who pour almost $4 billion into the network coffers each year who threaten to withdraw from the TV medium and spend on something else. Then, and pretty much only then, will the TV landscape in this country change and drag us into the 21st century with the rest of the FTA viewing world; but not for you or me, its only for the dollars they don't want to miss out on.

  • by Mat on February 27, 2007 at 08:57 AM

Regarding The West Wing.

Last Saturday the ABC showed the episodes titled "Here Today" and "The Al Smith Dinner". These are episodes 5 & 6 of 22.

Thus, there are 16 episodes remaining of the 7th (and final) series. At the current rate of progress (2 eps per week) that equates to another 8 weeks of TWW.

I too wonder what will happen the week of the NSW election. Hopefully the ABC will find a way to ensure that NSW & the ACT don't miss out on their TWW fix that weekend.

  • by Vader on February 27, 2007 at 09:05 AM

I think the sleazy hostie story would have turned many viewers away from '60 Minutes' as it would have attracted. Just like 'Sunday' and 'Today' last year and 'A Current Affair' the year before, it looks like the news/current affairs programs are going downmarket and being dumbed down in the chase for ratings. This sort of 'tabloid' story damages the integrity and credibility of a 'news' program. The viewers who still considered '60 Minutes' to be a quality program would have been appalled by this style of story and would now turn away.

So an interview with a stewardess who slept with a famous actor is considered to be hard-hitting journalism for '60 Minutes' now. Really? Australia says 'no'. More like trashy gossip about a woman who had sex with someone famous and who thinks she will also become famous by sharing the intimate details with the world.

If '60 Minutes' continues down this path, it may pick up some of the viewers that might tune into 'Today Tonight' or 'A Current Affair' but it will alienate more viewers who had considered '60 Minutes' to be a quality news program and hate what it has become.


Posted by: Daniel (who was) in Dubai at February 25, 2007 11:54 AM
"Someone had a great idea last week that I htink went largely uncommented on: for 7 to swap Heroes and Lost to the other one's night, thus giving Heroes a chance to rebound against lesser competition and for Lost to do its thing against House. Whoever said it has a good eye for this whole thing..."
That was me Daniel. I hope Ch 7 does it because Wednesdays is too crowded at the moment and Thursdays is a wasteland for any decent programs. I'm not sure i'm going to keep watching Heroes because I have to tape it, but if was moved to Thursdays then I definitely would.

  • by J Bar on February 27, 2007 at 09:11 AM

made the mistake of watching the entire oscar telecast last night- (friends over) never again! boring!!! terrible..worst i have seen...but that doesnt let nine off - for at 10 to 10 putting an add on promoting their news and cuurent affairs with a picture of Martin Scorsese holding his oscar!!! what morons...he was yet to receive it on the telecast.. nine are idiots!!!

  • by shanna on February 27, 2007 at 09:29 AM

Hey TM, just wanted to know how Cheaters went on Sunday night and if it won the timeslot? Thnx

TM replies: 468,000, yes.

  • by Reid on February 27, 2007 at 09:35 AM

Damien - you forgot one. The ads do not bother me because I tape everything and zap the ads to oblivion but the thing that bothers me most is this stupid mixing of repeats into a season. We have picked up a dreadful American habit. The channels use to air a season straight through and switch to another mid year e.g. ER till July then CSI in the same slot. Now every second week is a repeat and a 23 episode season runs 40 weeks. It is cheap and nasty and prevents us seeing a greater variety of shows. And they all do it. I was, to be honest, a fairly placid FTA viewer until they adopted the practice. Now I regularly have TV free nights and what I watch is taped and thanks to the fast forward ad free. And I get to watch what I am in the mood for at the time.

  • by Cat on February 27, 2007 at 09:36 AM

Why do so many people seem to care about Supernatural's ratings? Get a life, as David has mentioned, it rates the same every week. It is a niche programme that will never rise or fall so long as it remains in an 8.30 or 9.30 timeslot. Please delete all postings related to this show.. (Except this one of course!!)

  • by jonster on February 27, 2007 at 10:04 AM

I think Internet downloading is having a bigger effect on ratings than what is generally thought. Of my group of friends, approximately half watch the popular shows from downloads. These shows include Ugly Betty, Heroes, NCIS, Prison Break, Top Gear, House and Brothers & Sisters.

What I think the big benefits to downloading are:
*Be up-to-date with the latest eps
*Commercial free
*Watch several episodes at once
*Have your nights free for socialising/study/TAFE etc
*Not having to put up with TV networks stuffing you around with repeats - shame goes to mostly Ten (NCIS, Simpsons) and Nine (CSI)for that.

Look at what the Chaser does with its show - they know that if they can offer the show as a free download (Video podcast) immediately after the show airs, they can still track their ratings. Wouldn't that be great if everyone did that.....

PS: I think the reason Top Gear did poorly last night, is that SBS repeated the same episode 2 weeks in a row. I was watching it last night thinking to myself "Didn't they race the Bugatti from Italy to England last week?"

  • by PeteC on February 27, 2007 at 10:20 AM

ac - you are right that we should get over the Channel 9 vs Channel 7 thing - BUT - could those of us who have put up with the overwhelming contempt and arrogance from Nine over the years just enjoy them squirming for a little longer.

Some of my fave shows - Six Feet Under, West Wing and Survivor were massacred by Nine in recent years and if it wasn't for DVDs and downloads, I would never have been able to watch them at decent times!

Mind you - Seven and Ten don't escape my wrath with their equally poor programming of shows such as Will and Grace, Amazing Race, The Shield and Battlestar Galactica!

I won't hold my breath - but hope that one day the networks will wake up and realise more and more of us are watching the shows on DVD or downloading them - hence LOWER RATINGS for them!!!!

  • by bettestreep on February 27, 2007 at 10:23 AM

I think i might ask about Supernatural each week now.

Jonster, Information should be for those that like to know, doesnt mean you have to read it. For example, I always see questions relating to The West Wing, personally i hate the show, I think it is aimed at a niche audience as well, but understand that some poeple love it, so I just move to the next comment that interests me rather than requesting items be deleted as they dont interest me specifically.
Its not all about you.......

happy reading :))

  • by bob on February 27, 2007 at 10:23 AM

"Con-trived" (AGT) gets worse - can't believe people are watching this tripe. At least one embarrassed contestant successfully threatened 7 with legal action if her segment and Red's offensive remarks went to air. It was edited from last Sunday's episode.
Wixy Gosford

  • by David Wicks on February 27, 2007 at 10:36 AM

This is a prime example of a "plant post" - no author, just advertising!

"If you are watching Ugly Betty, then trust me you want to continue watching it,cause it only gets better with great story lines. Watch Ugly Betty sunday on 7. best new show.
Posted by: at February 26, 2007 7:02 PM"

  • by AlphaVictor on February 27, 2007 at 10:45 AM

The Oscar ratings seem low this year. David, have you got any comparison figures for the Oscars in previous years? I think the show rates better when Aussie actors win but generally I think our interest in American award shows has waned. Other award shows are no longer shown on the night they occur and a few weeks ago Ch 10 showed the Grammys a few days later and at 10.30pm.
I was off work and watched 'The Catch-Up'. I thought the hosts were great and it has potential but I don't understand why they altered it so much from 'The View'. It felt like they threw bits of so many other shows in there and it ended up being a dog's breakfast. The Ch 9 cross-promotions were over the top too, so that it felt like it was an informecial. They should concentrate on letting the hosts chat more and not keep crossing to Ch 9 personalities to fill in the time.

  • by J Bar on February 27, 2007 at 10:46 AM

Top Gear was a clip show from various episodes of the year, but yes, it did open with exactly the same story as last week and didn't really warrant another viewing.

Despos is still picking up pace this year, it's good!

The Awards were the normal trainwreck that these kind of shows tend to be.

I believe Celebrity Dog School is being replaced with (wait for it) Futurama.

  • by cronk on February 27, 2007 at 10:50 AM

I too was disappointed with the 'repeat' show of Top Gear last night. However it may have been a clip show assembled from past eps. The Guide did not indicate it was a repeat, but after I saw it was the same race shown two weeks ago I changed channels.

  • by merciless on February 27, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Just in reply to PeteC at 10:20:

Top gear wasn't exactly the same show. It was the race with the Bugatti, but there were various other "supercar" related bits in it. So in fact it was a Best of Super Cars show. However, most people would switch on, see it was the Bugatti race again and think "SBS are idiots for showing the same episode twice in a row" ... and they would be mostly right. The SBS programming depeartment in this case were idiots, but the episode wasn't exactly the same. Way to build a loyal following SBS. First you show us episodes that are two seasons old and then you so essentially the same episode twice in a row.

  • by dave on February 27, 2007 at 11:39 AM

hello - all the sami bashers - this morning she was giving despos a massive plus and the oscars a big thumbs down. any chance she's just stating an opinion?

  • by pesky on February 27, 2007 at 12:14 PM

Does anyone have a view on the best Oscar host? I know the show was endless last night, but I am curious as to who is the preferred host.

In my view the only host who makes the Oscars entertainment is Billy Crystal, and if he was the host last night I am sure he would have explained why Jack Nicholson was bald.

Also I note Nine has "boned" another show - firstly the Code and now Justice. They were not on my viewing roster but it is interesting

  • by Cathy on February 27, 2007 at 12:15 PM

If you check the Top Gear program guide on the SBS website, the next two episodes are both clip shows as well. Then Mythbusters is back. Le sigh.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on February 27, 2007 at 12:23 PM

Hi TM
Love your work. Can you tell me if The IT Crowd will be coming back to the ABC? Many thanks.

TM replies: Not listed on ABC's plans for next three months. But another reader may know more.

  • by Onie on February 27, 2007 at 01:10 PM

Vader - thanks for The West Wing update. :) I have now informed about four people who independent of this blog asked me the same question in the last week.
BTW TM I had a late night (not watching the Oscars) so did you really have to choose that picture of Borat to put up? That is the sort of punishment Dick Cheney would approve of.

  • by Cat on February 27, 2007 at 01:29 PM

I stayed away from the Oscars last night. It is the same every year, boring, too long and not very entertaining at all.
I watched Aust Story and 4 corners on ABC instead and must admit both shows were very interesting.

Tonight is the worst night for TV , DWTS is not something I would bother about and there isnt much else on. I will probably watch the new Simpsons episode then read for the rest of the evening. I truly wish nine would put on something to compete with DWTS. Still I can catch up with my reading on Tuesday nights.

  • by em on February 27, 2007 at 02:12 PM

Regarding the IT Crowd...considering the second series hasn't even aired in the UK yet, it certainly won't be back on ABCTV for a while.

Be patient.

The DVD of series 1 is available, though.

  • by Andy on February 27, 2007 at 02:21 PM

Hi TM
So has Justice been boned or is it just on hiatus? When will it be back? What numbers was it getting? I found it quite entertaining in a mindless no-emotional-investment-required kinda way.

Strong>Tribal Mind replies: Networks always use this term "on hiatus" when they take a failed show off, to allow them to bring it back at some point (like the silly season) There is no way to know what is in the mind of Channel Nine.

  • by LAH on February 27, 2007 at 02:34 PM

I watched a bit of the Oscars last night and was truly amazed at how some of (supposedly) the best actors in the world have so much trouble reading an autocue or ad-libing for a few seconds when the autocue breaks down. It just goes to show how mollycoddled some of these so called stars are - the only brightspot of the evening was when the two child actors came out to present an award and didn't fluff their lines once - they were natural and surprisingly funny -

BTW - did anyone see Faye Dunaway on the red carpet - I thought I was watching an episode of Supernatural - talk about creepy - one of the showbiz reporters in today's SMH summed her up nicely when she said.

'Old actresss never die - they just faye dunaway!'

  • by craig on February 27, 2007 at 03:04 PM

Hi TM!

Your mention of daytime television had me interested. I only noticed today (prompted by this column; it's all too easy to forget that television even exists during the day) that Network Ten was showing Law & Order repeats at noon. How are those doing, comparatively to what's showing on Seven and Nine?

I much prefer that show to Criminal Intent. (Which I only watch now, due to it being after SVU.) Which leads me to my second question: do you have any idea when Ten will be bringing in the new episodes for Law & Order?

On other matters, kudos to Seven for being so consistent with Boston Legal, and none to Nine for putting Cold Case on Wednesdays.

  • by James C on February 27, 2007 at 04:15 PM

TM: heard that last weeks A-league football Gf was the most watched sporting game/event on pay-tv.
TRUE?

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, with 226,000 viewers.

  • by Peter on February 27, 2007 at 04:25 PM

Yep...what's with the pics David? I sometimes have a look at this site at work, and it's not the greatest look when people come into my office and see these fab pictures.
Also what's wrong with asking how a show rates? This is a television blog and people are interested to know how their fav programs are going!

Tribal Mind replies: I had a lovely pic of Nicole Kidman ready to go with today's column, but stay in touch had already used one. Nothing wrong with asking about a show, but people wanting to know about ratings should check the ratings chart above before asking a question that has already been answered.

  • by Helena on February 27, 2007 at 04:46 PM

Posted by: Cathy at February 27, 2007 12:15 PM

In my view the only host who makes the Oscars entertainment is Billy Crystal, and if he was the host last night I am sure he would have explained why Jack Nicholson was bald.

Jack Nicholson was bald because he is filming a movie called "The Bucket List" in which he plays a terminally ill cancer patient.

  • by Fats on February 27, 2007 at 04:53 PM

Thank you bob, i completely agree with you, i mean people love Supernatural, its not a crime to ask how it went.

Jonster,everyone has their likes and dislikes so quit bagging people for liking Supernatural and dont tell them to 'get a life' cos that's just plain rude.

  • by Jack on February 27, 2007 at 05:52 PM

TM, thats a pretty good figure for 9's The Catch Up but the first day or week of any show always does well, how did it rate on its 2nd day up against Oprah on Ten and The midday movie on 7?

Thanks

  • by david on February 27, 2007 at 06:08 PM

LAH, Justice was cancelled in the US after about 13 episodes, so I wouldn't be surprised if Nine doesn't bother bringing it back. If you're really interested you may be able to find the remaining episodes online.

  • by Fielding on February 27, 2007 at 07:17 PM

I cannot believe it! I really liked 'Justice' and the preview for the episode that was to play tonight looked SOO Good, and now its not there?!?!! annoyed of the most annoyingist kind.

I am surprised the show didnt last in the US, its really slick - no depth but really slick and it was actually insightful how many mock-ups there are before the actual court case and how the lawyers have their own jury in another room with people from that other toom telling the lawyers in court how the fake jury is reacting as a means to understand the real jury. confusing, but cool.

oh well, at least i have my All Saints (even if it doesnt start till midnight...)

  • by William on February 27, 2007 at 07:37 PM

Top Gear was down because it was a clip show, in fact a clip show where the main story was on a couple of weeks ago.

  • by dewatf on February 27, 2007 at 08:34 PM

"Tribal Mind replies: it's boring for a blog to have a string of messages saying no more than "Yay, go Seven". I hope readers would have a little more to say."

Well *cough cough*
I had a little more to say but my message was not posted...anyways
I'm sadden that Brothers and Sisters was down so low, i only hope it increases next week due to no competition because it is honestly one of the best dramas in a long while. Despos is also back to a fine form
Also, as for the best Oscar host...for me it doesn't have to be a certain person as long as they take deep jabs at the celebrities. i mean come on, the room is full of beautiful, rich people...the least that can happen is someone taking the piss out of them. Chris Rock when he hosted comes to mind.

  • by steve on February 27, 2007 at 08:54 PM

Ugly Betty was promoted as a comedy so I tried episode one and found it to be anything but funny so I went back to Sixty Minutes on Sunday. Apparently that makes me a sucker. On another matter, I keep hearing about people downloading their favourite shows. What do they do when an episode they have seen comes to FTA TV? Surely they don't watch it again.

  • by bobmar28 on February 28, 2007 at 09:12 AM

Ch 10 seems to have really taken a dive in the ratings this year. I think this had a lot to do with the rubbish they showed over Summer, which just made people switch off and find other interests and they never came back. I also think it might have something to do with their lacklustre station promos this year. Just a bunch of American actors standing around saying inane things like 'I believe' and 'Seriously' in black and white. I'm bored just describing it. Did they blow their whole budget on getting the American actors to do these dumb promos? In previous years they had the best network promos, with cool music and a mix of Aussie and overseas celebrities involved. Even if you didn't watch the shows, you were intrigued by their cool promos. What happened this year?

  • by J Bar on February 28, 2007 at 09:34 AM

Thanks Fats for the info on Jack Nicholson.

OK I am one of those Supernatural fans - love the pop culture references on last week's show Dean said to Sam "Quick we have to go to LA" "Why?" "Katie Holnes has joined a cult"

I love when shows don't take themselves too seriously and have a few lines just like that - shows that have done this well include Veronica Mars (as always), Gilmore Girls on occasion, Boston Legal, NCIS, Scrubs and of course the ultimates Buffy & Angel.

Witty writing with some inside jokes like in Boston Legal having Denny Crane announce to Alan Shore that he had won an emmy, his mobile having the Star Trek theme and other similar comments makes watching these types of shows so much more fun.

I do miss the wit of Buffy & Angel and would eb very happy to have Joss Whedon writing more clever TV.

  • by Cathy on February 28, 2007 at 09:53 AM

Bobmar28 at 9.12am asked - "I keep hearing about people downloading their favourite shows. What do they do when an episode they have seen comes to FTA TV? Surely they don't watch it again."

No, never watch it again on FTA TV after downloading. Our rating season nights are now much more relaxed, spend more time with the kids, often the TV doesn't go on at all - unless the latest episode has finished downloading. Our music listening ratio has gone up as our FTA TV ratio goes down.
It's a nice feeling to be in control and have the most up to date entertainment at your fingetips. From an advertisers perspective - Am I missing out on the big sales, new cars or the latest coke or beer? Don't know - don't care.
"It's good to be the King"

  • by AlphaVictor on February 28, 2007 at 10:21 AM

hey TM how did the Catch Up go against Oprah on its 2nd day?
how did Days of Our Lives go agaionst Blue Heelers and Ready Steady Cook

49 READY STEADY COOK Ten 228,000 68,000 53,000 48,000 30,000 30,000
52 BLUE HEELERS-DAY Seven 203,000 65,000 47,000 48,000 19,000 25,000
63 THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW Ten 179,000 49,000 40,000 42,000 21,000 27,000
71 DAYS OF OUR LIVES Nine 154,000 39,000 37,000 32,000 26,000 20,000
72 THE CATCH-UP Nine 151,000 43,000 52,000 20,000 19,000 16,000

  • by david on February 28, 2007 at 11:11 AM

Bobmar28 - When you didn't find Ugly Betty funny, why did you go back to Sixty Minutes? Why not give Planet Earth on ABC a go? Fantastic show and no ads. No, I don't work for the ABC, just an avid ABC watcher who would rather switch off than watch anything on commercial TV.

  • by jigfam on February 28, 2007 at 11:54 AM

bobmar28 wrote: "Ugly Betty was promoted as a comedy so I tried episode one and found it to be anything but funny so I went back to Sixty Minutes on Sunday".

Well, UB isn't really a comedy, like say Seinfeld or Raymond, so it should never have been promoted as such. It's basically good natured, light entertainment that takes a dig at the fashion industry. If you went in expecting to have belly laughs (network's fault for promoting it as such), then no wonder you were disappointed. But if you accept the show for what it is, you will find it to be a delightful way to spend an hour or (forty two minutes, ad free).

  • by damien on February 28, 2007 at 12:24 PM

DWTS - good to see that it was on top last night. Then again, not much competition. Must admit that I only watched part of it to see Naomi (nice!).
Supernatural has gone downhill a little bit. I enjoyed the first series though. Anyone know if there's a third season to be produced?
Sick of seeing endless Ugly Betty promos (even poping up during 7's TV shows - they just can't help themselves). I see her. I cringe. Uhhhh.
Celebrity Dog School? Sounds like the series producers have, at last, scrapped the bottom of the programming barrel. Great way to lose viewers with turkeys like this.

  • by Bluedave on February 28, 2007 at 01:17 PM

thats a big drop for The Catch Up loosing over 90,000 viewers in one day. Be interesting to see its ratings in a week. Everyone I have spoken to thinks its trash.
thanks for the update TM

Tribal Mind replies: Don't you mean "losing".

  • by david on February 28, 2007 at 01:23 PM

Bobmar28 at 9.12am asked - "I keep hearing about people downloading their favourite shows. What do they do when an episode they have seen comes to FTA TV? Surely they don't watch it again."

They turn off the TV and get on blog sites and tell everyone what and what not to watch (as if anyone cares about their opinion). I understand that it is ironic for me to express that opinion about them too.

  • by No spoilers on February 28, 2007 at 01:25 PM

oops yeh i do

  • by david on February 28, 2007 at 02:02 PM

Daytime TV is a worry. Was gonna watch Oprah but it was -yet another - diet show.
Flicked over to The Catch Up and after 5 minutes - switched off altogether.
What is happening at Nine? They seem to be letting go wonderful talent like Helen Kapalos, Jamie Durie, Kim Watkins - and instead getting the likes of Jessica Rowe, Karl Stefanovic and ugh Bert Newton!
I tend to agree with Robert Fidgeon in today's Herald Sun. Seems Eddie has been hiring a lot of his mates - but not hiring anyone with actual television experience!
Eddie - Channel Nine is NOT a football club!!!

  • by bettestreep on February 28, 2007 at 02:03 PM