NEWS | MYCAREER | DOMAIN | DRIVE | FINANCE | MOBILE | RSVP | STAYZ
  network map | member centre  

Who We Are

Advertisement

The ratings race: Week 27

This blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current.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.

The daily media briefing from David Dale, updated 10 am Sunday July 8
This week Nine won Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and Seven won Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and the average prime time audience shares ended up thus: Nine 29.3 per cent, Seven 28.6, Ten 20.7, ABC 16.1, and SBS 5.4.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,256,000 338,000 390,000 219,000 142,000 167,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,167,000 321,000 341,000 195,000 171,000 139,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,141,000 321,000 383,000 206,000 150,000 81,000
4 HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS -RPT Nine 1,096,000 309,000 394,000 240,000 154,000
9 DOCTOR WHO ABC 806,000 220,000 212,000 184,000 90,000 99,000
10 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 802,000 304,000 95,000 187,000 216,000
11 THE BILL ABC 756,000 194,000 265,000 137,000 65,000 95,000
14 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 662,000 63,000 302,000 83,000 128,000 86,000
16 SEVEN'S R.U: TRI-NATIONS: AUS V S A Seven 603,000 354,000 56,000 142,000 22,000 30,000
21 GREAT COMEDY CLASSICS Seven 477,000 294,000 78,000 105,000
22 WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S FINAL Nine 462,000 116,000 194,000 63,000 39,000 49,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Saturday
Nine could still win the week. It all depends on how much Australians prefer Harry Potter to rugby union tonight.

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,461,000 374,000 423,000 263,000 195,000 206,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,316,000 325,000 405,000 224,000 165,000 197,000
3 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,297,000 400,000 389,000 210,000 141,000 158,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,170,000 304,000 384,000 250,000 132,000 100,000
5 TEMPTATION Nine 1,159,000 269,000 395,000 246,000 129,000 120,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,157,000 322,000 349,000 235,000 143,000 107,000
8 TAGGART ABC 1,063,000 318,000 311,000 187,000 121,000 126,000
10 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Ten 1,025,000 232,000 333,000 197,000 149,000 113,000
13 BIG BROTHER Ten 862,000 212,000 244,000 174,000 123,000 109,000
15 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 14: ESSENDON V GEELONG Seven 799,000 16,000 500,000 14,000 145,000 124,000
16 NEIGHBOURS Ten 786,000 199,000 193,000 176,000 102,000 116,000
18 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL 5 Ten 708,000 178,000 226,000 150,000 95,000 59,000
21 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 599,000 326,000 273,000
24 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 450,000 319,000 130,000
28 SUNRISE Seven 393,000 120,000 68,000 97,000 47,000 60,000
31 BIG BROTHER - UP LATE Ten 360,000 91,000 114,000 64,000 53,000 37,000
42 TODAY Nine 268,000 88,000 77,000 51,000 18,000 35,000
45 WIMBLEDON D11 Nine 267,000 91,000 85,000 38,000 30,000 23,000
46 THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW-PM ABC 261,000 82,000 91,000 24,000 31,000 33,000
52 GHOST WHISPERER (R) Seven 247,000 147,000 99,000

Updated 10am Friday July 6
Despite its industry nickname "Blue Heelers All At Sea", Sea Patrol last night exceeded Channel Nine's hopes (and Seven's Border Security figure on Monday) and put Nine in the lead for the week.

But Sea Patrol "skewed old", in the industry's jargon. Channel Seven won the night with viewers aged 18-49, and they are the niche the advertisers are most interested in. Nine still needs some shows for the groovers.

The AFL will probably give Seven a victory tonight. On Saturday Seven is stuck with rugby union while Nine has a Harry Potter movie. You can see where the week is going.

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEA PATROL Nine 1,971,000 571,000 606,000 345,000 230,000 219,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,462,000 343,000 436,000 280,000 182,000 221,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,368,000 345,000 408,000 270,000 150,000 196,000
4 GETAWAY Nine 1,358,000 373,000 409,000 273,000 152,000 151,000
5 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,334,000 367,000 379,000 268,000 126,000 194,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,253,000 335,000 417,000 247,000 130,000 124,000
7 NINE NEWS Nine 1,253,000 395,000 373,000 235,000 138,000 111,000
8 THAT '70S SHOW Seven 1,232,000 301,000 344,000 262,000 147,000 177,000
9 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,207,000 297,000 491,000 149,000 142,000 127,000
13 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 1,043,000 306,000 313,000 190,000 117,000 117,000
14 LOST Seven 1,025,000 294,000 318,000 161,000 121,000 131,000
16 BIG BROTHER Ten 921,000 195,000 236,000 230,000 108,000 153,000
20 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 828,000 201,000 238,000 165,000 89,000 134,000
23 BRAT CAMP: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT ABC 723,000 224,000 202,000 91,000 88,000 118,000
24 PIRATE MASTER Ten 645,000 147,000 178,000 120,000 90,000 110,000
28 HEROES Seven 553,000 313,000 240,000
31 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS 473,000 118,000 156,000 84,000 50,000 64,000 (OzTAM preliminary estimates, Wednesday)

Updated 10am Thursday July 5
Channel Nine won Sunday and Wednesday, Channel Seven won Monday and Tuesday, and at this point in the week the average prime time audience shares are Seven 29.6 per cent, Nine 28.1, Ten 20.8, ABC 15.8, SBS 5.7. It seems unlikely that Lisa McCune will be able to turn the week around for Nine.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE QLD V NSW 3RD - MATCH Nine 1,766,000 756,000 284,000 726,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,531,000 380,000 421,000 264,000 210,000 255,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,391,000 345,000 403,000 249,000 167,000 226,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,243,000 364,000 355,000 275,000 144,000 104,000
5 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,234,000 323,000 413,000 150,000 168,000 180,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,228,000 352,000 334,000 235,000 109,000 198,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,225,000 329,000 346,000 290,000 142,000 118,000
8 HOUSE RPT Ten 1,203,000 274,000 424,000 125,000 190,000 190,000
9 POLICE FILES - UNLOCKED Seven 1,183,000 272,000 433,000 127,000 144,000 207,000
10 TEMPTATION Nine 1,169,000 281,000 372,000 261,000 135,000 120,000
15 THE CHASER'S WAR ON REPEATS ABC 996,000 263,000 331,000 96,000 146,000 160,000
18 BIG BROTHER Ten 959,000 218,000 260,000 202,000 141,000 137,000
25 HEROES Seven 612,000 M336,000 A115,000 P160,000

Updated 10 am Wednesday July 4
Channel Nine won Sunday, Channel Seven won Monday and Tuesday, and at this point in the week the average prime time audience shares are Seven 31.6 per cent, Nine 26.2, Ten 20.6, ABC 15.5, SBS 6.1. Will a combination of Tonight's State of Origin match and Thursday's launch of Sea Patrol turn the week around for Nine? Or will Australians have had their fill of border protection after Monday's top program? Register your predictions below.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,712,000 496,000 539,000 266,000 193,000 219,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,589,000 416,000 416,000 307,000 199,000 251,000
3 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,541,000 475,000 510,000 200,000 177,000 179,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,417,000 367,000 379,000 256,000 183,000 231,000
5 NCIS Ten 1,312,000 379,000 346,000 263,000 173,000 150,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,295,000 324,000 405,000 283,000 149,000 134,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,276,000 393,000 322,000 243,000 119,000 198,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,276,000 336,000 378,000 282,000 156,000 125,000
13 CROSSING JORDAN Seven 1,013,000 308,000 331,000 151,000 107,000 116,000
17 NUMB3RS Ten 953,000 265,000 283,000 183,000 119,000 103,000
22 CSI: NY Nine 786,000 229,000 227,000 153,000 78,000 99,000
24 CARBON COPS ABC 747,000 212,000 212,000 137,000 96,000 90,000
25 THE BILL-TU ABC 726,000 235,000 188,000 145,000 67,000 91,000
28 THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Ten 561,000 164,000 136,000 115,000 64,000 82,000
29 THE NATION Nine 548,000 155,000 198,000 80,000 54,000 60,000
31 TIME TEAM ABC 507,000 144,000 174,000 80,000 51,000 57,000
34 SUNRISE Seven 413,000 136,000 76,000 102,000 41,000 59,000
52 TODAY Nine 249,000 76,000 72,000 59,000 17,000 25,000
55 DR PHIL Ten 243,000 55,000 98,000 29,000 26,000 35,000
62 PLAY SCHOOL-AM ABC 231,000 101,000 62,000 29,000 19,000 20,000
64 WORLD NEWS AUSTRALIA SBS 215,000 71,000 67,000 37,000 21,000 18,000
74 THE MORNING SHOW Seven 177,000 65,000 35,000 40,000 15,000 22,000
76 BIG BROTHER - UP LATE Ten 172,000 67,000 42,000 24,000 21,000 18,000
85 PLAY SCHOOL-PM ABC 154,000 35,000 47,000 21,000 19,000 31,000
100 9AM WITH DAVID & KIM Ten 105,000 26,000 30,000 17,000 19,000 13,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,775,000 495,000 509,000 304,000 186,000 281,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,725,000 425,000 449,000 319,000 235,000 296,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,573,000 412,000 419,000 310,000 192,000 240,000
4 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,406,000 443,000 436,000 215,000 143,000 169,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,364,000 405,000 349,000 255,000 155,000 201,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,359,000 344,000 438,000 274,000 167,000 136,000
7 CONCERT FOR DIANA Nine 1,328,000 414,000 388,000 205,000 158,000 162,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,316,000 319,000 441,000 249,000 166,000 142,000
13 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU Nine 1,032,000 321,000 304,000 177,000 124,000 106,000
14 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 1,028,000 322,000 360,000 143,000 104,000 99,000
15 BIG BROTHER Ten 1,005,000 248,000 270,000 216,000 126,000 145,000
16 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 977,000 242,000 298,000 209,000 100,000 129,000
17 BIG BROTHER LIVE NOMINATION Ten 959,000 233,000 266,000 202,000 129,000 128,000
24 TORCHWOOD Ten 774,000 230,000 206,000 140,000 100,000 97,000
25 TOP GEAR SBS 758,000 217,000 231,000 157,000 79,000 74,000
27 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 730,000 231,000 257,000 94,000 81,000 66,000
29 THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Ten 580,000 146,000 155,000 130,000 68,000 80,000
32 SCRUBS Seven 464,000 140,000 169,000 61,000 48,000 45,000
33 SUNRISE Seven 422,000 145,000 81,000 97,000 39,000 59,000
65 WIMBLEDON D7 Nine 256,000 72,000 84,000 37,000 35,000 28,000
69 THE MORNING SHOW Seven 225,000 74,000 57,000 44,000 24,000 26,000
73 TODAY Nine 202,000 58,000 58,000 44,000 14,000 27,000

Updated 10 am, Monday July 2
Interviewed last Friday on the British breakfast show GMTV, John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack in Channel Ten's new series Torchwood, made this observation: "Funnily enough Torchwood has just aired in Australia and is, like, the second most popular show in Oz. I mean there's about 50 people in OZ but that doesn't make any difference." The host replied: "Still a great statistic, John".

In fact, Torchwood was the number 71 most watched program for the week, with 898,000 viewers across the mainland capitals. It had greater appeal to viewers 18-49, with whom it was the number 33 most watched show of the week.

The only sense in which it was "like, the second most popular show in Oz" (unless Barrowman was trying to say Torchwood resembles 60 Minutes) was that it was the second most watched show between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Monday night, behind Brothers and Sisters, which got 961,000 viewers. It was even beaten by its progenitor, Dr Who, who pulled 928,000 viewers to the ABC on Saturday night.

Two performances by the doctor last week, plus Spicks and Specks and The Chaser boys in repeat, helped the ABC to average a remarkable 17 per cent of the prime time audience. Seven won the week with 29.0 per cent, while Nine got 27.1 per cent, Ten 21.7, and SBS 5.1.

Channel Seven has won the first half of the ratings year, but is about to run out of episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Heroes. Nine launches its fightback strategy this week with Sea Patrol, which may be hampered in audience appeal by the actors having to wear the daggiest uniforms yet seen in an Australian crime series.

To discuss whether TV is a dying medium, click here

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,624,000 383,000 463,000 313,000 192,000 273,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,600,000 464,000 492,000 268,000 168,000 208,000
3 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,569,000 418,000 508,000 271,000 152,000 219,000
4 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,543,000 480,000 448,000 260,000 209,000 147,000
5 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,271,000 348,000 397,000 182,000 140,000 205,000
6 BACKYARD BLITZ Nine 1,228,000 355,000 363,000 195,000 175,000 140,000
7 WHERE ARE THEY NOW Seven 1,174,000 340,000 388,000 246,000 200,000
8 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,174,000 343,000 359,000 186,000 139,000 146,000
9 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 1,138,000 353,000 375,000 167,000 91,000 152,000
10 DIANA'S LAST DAY Nine 1,120,000 344,000 295,000 190,000 147,000 144,000
11 BIG BROTHER LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,064,000 264,000 276,000 212,000 162,000 151,000
12 BIG BROTHER SUN Ten 974,000 242,000 245,000 196,000 128,000 164,000
21 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 13: KANGAROOS V WESTERN BULLDOGS Seven 705,000 72,000 327,000 49,000 96,000 159,000
24 SURVIVOR: FIJI Nine 522,000 177,000 167,000 60,000 61,000 57,000
26 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 467,000 314,000 138,000 15,000
27 ALIAS Seven 458,000 138,000 159,000 60,000 51,000 50,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, week ending June 30
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,717,000 526,000 527,000 272,000 191,000 201,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,706,000 490,000 538,000 293,000 177,000 209,000
3 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,595,000 512,000 503,000 255,000 141,000 185,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,548,000 411,000 408,000 327,000 149,000 253,000
5 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,545,000 415,000 447,000 262,000 191,000 229,000
6 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,495,000 481,000 394,000 259,000 235,000 125,000
7 CSI Nine 1,462,000 434,000 401,000 277,000 180,000 170,000
8 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,435,000 429,000 484,000 209,000 140,000 173,000
9 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,422,000 462,000 440,000 183,000 161,000 176,000
10 1 VS 100 Nine 1,416,000 395,000 453,000 249,000 153,000 166,000
11 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,405,000 388,000 407,000 231,000 177,000 202,000
12 HOUSE Ten 1,404,000 407,000 398,000 253,000 160,000 186,000
13 RPA WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Nine 1,400,000 414,000 427,000 206,000 184,000 169,000
14 CSI: MIAMI Nine 1,397,000 399,000 377,000 275,000 179,000 167,000
15 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,348,000 431,000 368,000 239,000 164,000 146,000
16 WHERE ARE THEY NOW Seven 1,332,000 381,000 395,000 257,000 129,000 170,000
17 NINE NEWS Nine 1,326,000 394,000 391,000 262,000 160,000 119,000
18 GETAWAY Nine 1,323,000 406,000 398,000 216,000 153,000 149,000
19 BACKYARD BLITZ Nine 1,308,000 364,000 384,000 204,000 182,000 174,000
20 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU Nine 1,298,000 397,000 419,000 233,000 124,000 124,000
21 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,269,000 321,000 351,000 247,000 164,000 186,000
22 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,266,000 393,000 366,000 209,000 129,000 170,000
23 THE RICH LIST Seven 1,264,000 364,000 385,000 175,000 154,000 186,000
24 MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS Nine 1,264,000 356,000 342,000 240,000 169,000 156,000
25 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,261,000 380,000 407,000 201,000 137,000 136,000
26 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,247,000 346,000 397,000 253,000 115,000 136,000
27 POLICE FILES - UNLOCKED Seven 1,247,000 328,000 437,000 168,000 143,000 172,000
28 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,242,000 357,000 381,000 255,000 133,000 116,000
29 THE SIMPSONS TUES Ten 1,237,000 300,000 408,000 219,000 153,000 158,000
30 TEMPTATION Nine 1,196,000 307,000 420,000 222,000 125,000 122,000
31 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Ten 1,193,000 266,000 390,000 218,000 154,000 164,000
32 THAT '70S SHOW Seven 1,182,000 334,000 336,000 244,000 120,000 148,000
33 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,182,000 367,000 306,000 208,000 134,000 168,000
34 THE CHASER'S WAR ON REPEATS ABC 1,175,000 388,000 320,000 177,000 151,000 139,000
35 HEROES Seven 1,174,000 325,000 391,000 221,000 112,000 125,000
36 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,170,000 352,000 351,000 232,000 144,000 91,000
37 NCIS RPT Ten 1,155,000 309,000 335,000 218,000 132,000 161,000
38 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,142,000 280,000 377,000 224,000 129,000 132,000
39 ABC NEWS ABC 1,140,000 333,000 374,000 179,000 117,000 137,000
40 THE NEW INVENTORS ABC 1,139,000 367,000 347,000 193,000 114,000 119,000
41 CRIME & JUSTICE Nine 1,137,000 290,000 395,000 208,000 122,000 122,000
42 HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE -RPT Nine 1,124,000 287,000 333,000 232,000 148,000 124,000
43 BIG BROTHER DOUBLE LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,122,000 289,000 307,000 227,000 155,000 144,000
44 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 1,118,000 320,000 365,000 206,000 110,000 116,000
45 LOST Seven 1,107,000 318,000 390,000 163,000 111,000 125,000

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

I've been away for a few weeks and had some thoughts to share slash questions to ask: I think it would be almost impossible for Seven to lose the year. The very fact they have another season of DWTS means that every Wednesday morning there lead will be almost unbeatable. They seemed to have built up a very strong fan base as a network in the last 18 months which means their new shows have a higher chance of succeeding than they would have a couple of years back... Sea Patrol will be the hit everyone says I think, but what's a hit these days? 1.4m, 1.8m, 2m? Having sold the series to 100+ countries I doubt it matters what they get here, but 1.5 is my guess and I'd be pretty happy if I were a producer... Rumour has it that Shark is really great, wonder if it works in Oz... and finally, Heroes and PB. As a downloader myself I find the idea of watching on my tv with better sound and picture much more appealing, so will abandon torrenting to support the move made by Seven to show as close as possible to the US - hope others do the same!

  • by Daniel in Dubai on July 01, 2007 at 07:08 PM

Am I alone in thinking it a little bizarre that the ABC is repeating a repeat of the Chasers on Friday nights?

Having now seen the episode of Dr Who that Barrowman was promoting at the time I think it might be fair to say he was in shock and raving (Russell T Davies may well be lynched for that episode -thankfully the rest of the season outweighs it).

  • by Cat on July 01, 2007 at 07:13 PM

I predict that Sea Patrol will be a massive flop, and City Homicide will be a massive success.

  • by Mark on July 01, 2007 at 07:15 PM

Torchwood would have to be the mopst hyped and overstated new program on Australian tv for a long time. I predict that the number of viewers of Torchwood will drop significantly if the third episode is anything like the first 2. Give me the new series of Dr Who!

  • by Peter Gaskin on July 01, 2007 at 07:20 PM

This could possibily be the worst show ever aired on Australia Television. The acting is woodier then pinocchio's butt cheek.

  • by Shredder on July 01, 2007 at 07:55 PM

Well i am extremely excited about this new season of Doctor Who...and what a start last saturday!
I am still warming up to torchwood...and will try my best because i love the character Jack Harkness

  • by SC on July 01, 2007 at 09:15 PM

Torchwood was the second most watched show huh? Well I watched the first episode and that will be the last. Very weak. And everyone else I've spoken to about it thought the same.

  • by Mike on July 01, 2007 at 09:18 PM

Really? I like Torchwood, it's a bit of fun. Surely better than all those CSI/NCIS/QRPIRLSEKJF type forensic shows. And nice to see bisexuality get a run on Australian TV without any associated hysteria. I'm just sad it's on Ten because I have to put up with the ads.

  • by Karen on July 01, 2007 at 10:18 PM

There are programs that by their nature can not be turned into popular shows. Because the thing that made them classics was their appeal to a small group. The people who make popular TV programs - and commentators like David Dale - can't understand that, because, not being in that small group they totally misunderstand what the appeal of those programs were to the people they appealed to. They see only that the program seemed deficient in the things that make programs popular, and think that by fixing that they improve the program, but in reality they destroy it. Torchwood, and to some degree the new Doctor Who, are an example of that. As were most the SF programs that tried to exploit the success of StarTrek. They thought it was about fighting dangerous aliens in exotic locations created with high-tech special effects and getting the girl. But it was about optimism. What it said was "through technology and social enlightenment the future can be a better place for everyone". It didn't matter if special effects was clunky, that wasn't the point. These were programs for those who think not feel.

  • by Gordon Drennan on July 01, 2007 at 10:27 PM

I loved Torchwood. I watched all the episodes and read the 3 books while in the UK. It certainly beats a lot of the local trash on TV. And don't get me started on the "current affairs" programs - what a crock of sh*t.

  • by Venets on July 01, 2007 at 11:12 PM

I just don't get it... Everyone keeps on raving about downloading, but unless I'm missing something, I find it completely useless. I have a very high speed connection (the highest telstra offer) and it still takes me WEEKS to download one episode of something.
I'd love to be able to watch shows when I want, particularly those that I miss. I'd BUY them if iTunes let me!!!
Anyone have any hot tips on what I could be doing wrong??

  • by confused on July 01, 2007 at 11:14 PM

The first season of Torchwood starts a little slow but there are some really good epidodes towards the end.
I have just finished watching the last episode and I cant wait for season 2.
If you like the new Doctor Who ... stay tuned ... the last 3 sees the return of Captain Jack !!!

  • by Craig on July 01, 2007 at 11:18 PM

Ah, the joys of importing television series from overseas. I watched Torchwood with my family and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. It's obviously much more action-oriented than Doctor Who, but the series picks up steam later on, with an interesting twist on the character of Jack Harkness.
Speaking of which, this season of Doctor Who has also been brilliantly done. Though I suppose it will be ten weeks before the rest of you find out about the return of a certain character.
What I don't understand though, is why It Takes Two is #1. I hadn't even heard of the show before this article. Who are these people that watch it?

  • by Elliot on July 01, 2007 at 11:28 PM

Torchwood is rubbish.

  • by manicmidwife on July 01, 2007 at 11:52 PM

I've seen every episode available of Torchwood and it does get much better.
That being said, I won't be watching it again on 10/Capitol. too many ads.
Now if Aunty had bit the bullet and purchased the show, I would of gladly watched it again.
I'm the very audience 10/Cap is targetting with this show. Unfortunately for 10/Cap, I and many others already have it.
Speaking of Cap, when in the world are they going to stop this 3-5 sec fade-out before every ad break?
It is especially annoying in comedies, as quite often the last line is lost completely

  • by torchwood on July 02, 2007 at 12:30 AM

All I can say is "Gee people watch garbage !"
As for Cat's question of "Am I alone in thinking it a little bizarre that the ABC is repeating a repeat of the Chasers on Friday nights?"...er, well yes Cat, I'd rather guess you are alone in coming to that conclusion, otherwise those of us who miss the initial airing on Wednesday nights (from memory) dont get to see it unless we d/l it from the interweb

  • by Greg on July 02, 2007 at 03:49 AM

Having watched a lot of the first series overseas, my advice on Torchwood would be to give up now. It just gets worse. Interesting concept, but very shabbily done. I'm still waiting for the second series of Ultraviolet :( One of my favourite SciFi series ever, but sadly was cut.

  • by David Parsons on July 02, 2007 at 03:55 AM

Ah, TM, a week away and I was going through withdrawals!! Sea Patrol - just don't think it will live up to the buzz. There is not a big audience out there willing to support Australian Drama I'm afraid, which is demonstrated by the axing of Blue Heelers etc (and by Australian "Drama" I really don't count McLeod's Daughters, as it is pretty much a soap opera these days). And as a previous poster (sorry, I'm on a different page thanks to the damn formatting so I apologise for not naming you) a "success" is becoming a very relative term. I think the producers should be deliriously happy with anything over 1.5mil, but due to the sheer cost of the production, if it doesn't get closer to 2mil, they probably won't make a second series. I'll watch it (my husband will make me) but it'll be interesting to see how many viewers it will get.

  • by Beckala on July 02, 2007 at 07:58 AM

It takes two was the most watched program in Australia last week........

somebody get me a gun.

  • by ACME on July 02, 2007 at 08:06 AM

Can you stop telling us what are the most popular shows based on your extremely outdated rating system which in no way reflects what are the most watched shows.
Once you take into account downloads, dvd sales you would find that shows such as Torchwood are watched a lot more than you think.
Antedotal evidence suggest upwards of a million people had already watched Torchwood before it was screened on Ten. Add the figures for first time viewers of the show when shown on Ten and it eaasily beats any of the top ten displayed above.

Tribal Mind replies: Can you suggest another source of information that is better than the extremely outdated rating system? I'm afraid I don't have access to this "antedotal" system you mention.

  • by chris masters on July 02, 2007 at 08:14 AM

John Barrowman is quite an exhuberant character, who can blame him for talking up his show. It's just like saying that Channel Nein is Still The One.
I think Torchwood is great. There, I've said it. Interesting to see a lot of the naysayers aren't regular posters to this blog. I challenge them to join us on a more regular basis.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on July 02, 2007 at 08:51 AM

Torchwood is an absolute load of bollocks. John Barrowman is a poor man's Tom Cruise - both as wooden an unappealing as each other.

  • by TJF on July 02, 2007 at 09:13 AM

What I noticed is that even considering that Sydney has the largest population of any Australian city, they seem to watch disproportionately more TV than any of the rest of us.
Over a million of them will watch just about anything.

  • by Rob from Brisbane on July 02, 2007 at 09:21 AM

Just a couple of things...
I was watching Sunday Sunrise and they crossed to Simon Reeve in Hong Kong reporting on the 10 yrs since handover celebrations, and when asked for a hisstory lesson about it, Simon went on and on about imperialist nations realising it was time to move on etc and for that reason Britain handed HK back to the Chinese, and the years of negotiating to make it happen etc. It was clear he had no idea about the expiry of the 99-year lease and that that was the reason for the handover. Amazing...considering he's the man there covering it.
Also does anyone know what has happended to the Rich List, which seems to have been replaced by ho-hum Border Security? Will RL be back? So no TV for me at 7.30pm Monday nights.
Finally, what idiot at 9 thought that placing Sea Patrol up against the final ep of Heroes and L&O SVU was a good idea? I know they think maybe the shows attract different demographics, but I was a big Water Rats fan, and I was looking forward to giving Sea Patrol a look, but I am not going to miss the final ep of Heroes and I have been a long time L&O fan, so unfortunately I will not be seeing Sea Patrol unless they see fit to put it on their catch-up TV, and let me buy it for $1.95.

  • by LAH on July 02, 2007 at 09:29 AM

I actually kind of like Torchwood - it is an interesting concept, and best of all ---- not another reality tv show, game show, medical show, lawyer show, murder show, etc...

  • by Chimmi on July 02, 2007 at 09:30 AM

Oh, an another thing. Why on earth have the other stations all put tools down on Wednesday night, given that the SOO has been decided, who is going to be remotely interested in watching the final game? Is it really expected to rate that well? Looks like DVD night for me, or catching up on some shows I have taped.

  • by LAH on July 02, 2007 at 09:35 AM

To Confused: what torrent program do you use to download? I used to use BitTorrent and it was so slow and tedious. Now I use Azureus and I can't complain. Another that I have heard is very good is uTorrent.
Another thought is that Telstra might be limiting your P2P speeds? Check their usage terms out.
Depending on how popular a torrent is and how recent, I download a show in anything from 2 hours to 20 hours (sometimes a little more if it is unpopular and/or old). It definitely does not take weeks. The aim is to pick a torrent that has more seeders than leachers as that will go faster. Also, perhaps download overnight? Less Australian traffic online and all the Americans are online as it is daytime... and they're the ones with most of the torrents!
Sorry if any of this covers stuff you already know.

  • by mel on July 02, 2007 at 09:44 AM

Confused wrote: I just don't get it... Everyone keeps on raving about downloading, but unless I'm missing something, I find it completely useless. I have a very high speed connection (the highest telstra offer) and it still takes me WEEKS to download one episode of something.
Confused if you are using a torrent the odds are it is being choked by Telstra. Try Usenet or a private torrent. Much less hassle. I had to switch for the same reason and I will not go back.
Greg wrote: er, well yes Cat, I'd rather guess you are alone in coming to that conclusion, otherwise those of us who miss the initial airing on Wednesday nights (from memory) dont get to see it unless we d/l it from the interweb
Yes Greg that was valid when they were showing the new episodes - I watched it on Fri a couple of times - but the new episodes are over. Wednesday is a just a repeat which is then repeated again on Friday so if you did not catch it the first two times it aired you can now have another two chances. It is like Channel Teen with The Simpsons

  • by Cat on July 02, 2007 at 09:46 AM

They thought it was about fighting dangerous aliens in exotic locations created with high-tech special effects and getting the girl. But it was about optimism. What it said was "through technology and social enlightenment the future can be a better place for everyone". It didn't matter if special effects was clunky, that wasn't the point.
Gordon Drennan on July 1, 2007 10:27 PM

Not for me. I watch the shows for their inventiveness, bizarre new realities to make you think outside the strictures of our limited world view (even if they are fanciful). For me, a lot of the problems with many sci fi series other than Star Trek and Dr Who(the new series of which are different from the original but no less entertaining) is that they get too far away from that theme. Either getting to militiaristic(humans vs the universe) or turn into soap operas.

  • by MikeT on July 02, 2007 at 09:53 AM

If Barrowman thinks that OZ is so small & insignificant (only has about 50 people in it, ha ha ha), then how about none of us watch this crap show & see just how much of a difference it does make!!!!
Maybe then the show will go away.... one can only hope

  • by Torchwood Hater on July 02, 2007 at 10:09 AM

I like Torchwood - interesting characters, engaging plots, decent enough production. Having seen episode 2, I can see why Auntie didn't take it - too explicit for their standards.
Instead on infinitely uninformative comments like "Torchwood sucks" etc, why not say what you don't like about it? Otherwise your opinion is meaningless.

  • by tafkao on July 02, 2007 at 10:10 AM

Ch 9 is disgusting! Again they originally scheduled CSI Miami to be a new ep (yourtv) but it turned out to be a repeat. What a waste of time.

  • by arthur on July 02, 2007 at 10:13 AM

Torchwood isn't all bad - don't take it seriously and it's fine. Better than anything else on Channel 10.

Does anyone have any idea about what happened to Jericho? Again, not the greatest show ever but I got into it watching the early morning repeats while feeding a newborn last year.

I know that what was on a few weeks ago (Fri nights) were actually the end of the First Series (thanks for that nice bit of programming) and it has been axed in the US.

My guess is it will never be shown now and we'll get more outstanding programs like 'World's most Expensive Celebrity Divorces' which is what suddenly aired instead one week, without any notice.

  • by Lucy on July 02, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Looks like Seven will scoop the ratings again this week!

Border Security - a 6 minute show repeated 3 times + 12 minutes of ads will rate it's usual 1.8m tonight - what a load of rubbish!!!

SOO - pardon me but has the series been determined? So this is a dead rubber so to speak and only true diehards will watch. As for the other stations giving up again and showing repeats - shame shame!

Sea Patrol - isn't this just Water Rats all over again? They even have Steve Bisley!!!! It'll rate well cos everyone just loves Lisa McCune.

As for myself - well I shall be watching Supernatural and Torchwood tonight - and Wimbledon (with the volume down low) but the rest of the week is watching DVDs and reading the engrossing "who killed Channel 9?". Can't wait for the mini-series!!!

  • by bettestreep on July 02, 2007 at 10:38 AM

i think Sea Patrol will rate quite well, simply because their is zero against it. It would have to be a dead-set shocker to fail in that timeslot. To Bettestreep only the die-hards will watch SOO3 - yes only about 900,000 in Sydney.
Also, another Aussie TV premiere this week - next Sunday 9.30 The Circuit on SBS. Will be watching hoping for another hidden gem on this network.

  • by Garry S on July 02, 2007 at 11:06 AM

To 'confused on July 1, 2007 11:14 PM " - your problem seems to be that you are using Telstra for your broadband. Try finding a real broadband provider.
Also I tend to agree with Gordon Drennan. I really doubt that sci-fi/fantasy shows will ever reach the mass audience. Many people simply don't like watching it.
The only way to get high ratings for sci-fi is to try and trick people into thinking they aren't watching sci-fi at all. It worked for Lost - at least until their plotlines started getting weirder and more convoluted, and people finally realised what they were watching. Even Star Trek TNG back in the 80's reached a ceiling of people watching it.
Many people just don't like to be mentally engaged when watching TV. I myself like to just veg out and watch rubbish at times.

  • by DragonLass on July 02, 2007 at 11:26 AM

Hey,
Just a question what was the %'s for sunday night. Did seven or nine win it looked close.
Thanks in advance
Guy

Tribal Mind replies: Nine won Sunday as usual, but was only just ahead of Seven.

  • by Guy on July 02, 2007 at 11:48 AM

Well, I like Torchwood. It is refreshing to see something that isnt American, reality TV or another CSI/Law & Order show. It is inventive and fun and last weeks ep a little adult. Anyway, isnt that what TV is supposed to be about? Entertainment. But I love sci-fi/fanatasy type programs anyway. It is escapism pure and simple and great to get away from the usual crap on TV.

BTW, it is great to have the Doctor back on Sat. nights. It is a show that can entertain kids as well as adults. Again it isnt to be taken seriously, just pure fantasy. And dont we all need a little fantasy in our lives?

Bring on more sci-fi I say. And less of the DWTS, ITT crap.

  • by em on July 02, 2007 at 11:58 AM

Quote bettestreep on July 2, 2007 10:38 AM
Sea Patrol - isn't this just Water Rats all over again? They even have Steve Bisley!!!! It'll rate well cos everyone just loves Lisa McCune.

Didn't save Marshall Law.

I wonder how Sea Patrol will go as a recruitment tool for the Navy?

  • by drb123 on July 02, 2007 at 12:10 PM

Sea Patrol - didn't we do this with Patrol Boat?
Torchwood - Didn't we do this with Roswell?
Can someone please send any ORIGINAL ideas (drama/adventure NOT reality TV please) to Nein, Severed & Teen.
I'm leaving Aunty off the list because they have come up with some beaudies - Robin Hood, S&S, Dr Who etc.

  • by AJ on July 02, 2007 at 12:53 PM

I think Chris Masters has taken his 'antedote' and recovered from the rather nasty, unprovoked attack on Tribal Mind and their ability reporting to what people watch.
Unless Chris can provide factual stats relating to who has downloaded, and then watched, what, globally, and then further split the stats down for Australian viewers only... then he has nothing to offer....
and s/he should be a little more pleasant in their posts!

  • by Little Dog on July 02, 2007 at 01:09 PM

Torchwood is a great show. Interesting concept and doesnt take itself to seriously "How does that work??" " I dont know, it just does, so enjoy it"
The Doctor is still the better of the two, but at least there are now two shows on TV worth watching.
If I never see another CSI (insert your hometown name here) it will be too soon.

  • by Roger on July 02, 2007 at 01:25 PM

bettestreep : Sea Patrol ... It'll rate well cos everyone just loves Lisa McCune.
It didn't save Hell Has Harbour Views either... & in that she got her kit off....
Confused - I am on a medium level of broadband & it takes about 4 hours to download an average episode... I am not with Telstra...

  • by kate on July 02, 2007 at 01:42 PM

TmM: What do you think C7 will do with future rugby games when you consider tghe BLEDISLOE CUP rated a poor 800,000, compaired to the 83th replay of HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE?
The game has well and truly lost its mojo.

  • by Peter on July 02, 2007 at 02:18 PM

RE: Peter - Rugby
I don't see RU to be under threat. C7 only has to air maybe 6 Rugby matches annually in primetime (mostly Saturdays). I also suspect those audiences skew towards the A-B demographic. Taking into account the Sydney and Brisbane ratings, the Rugby does quite well.
Later this year a new national domestic Rugby competition will commence. Broadcast rights have been secured by the ABC.

  • by canoli on July 02, 2007 at 02:37 PM

Barry Humphries once said Australia is the only country in the world where you can go away for twenty years, come back and nothing will have changed. Twenty years ago we had "Homicide" and "Patrol Boat". Now we've got "City Homicide" and "Sea Patrol." Welcome home, Barry.

  • by Phillip on July 02, 2007 at 02:46 PM

Hey TM,
How did the brilliant 'Life On Mars' rate on ABC-TV last night?
I am still loving it.

Tribal Mind replies: 898,000.

  • by Sacs on July 02, 2007 at 02:54 PM

A few things to say here:

Firstly with Torchwood - not sure yet - will give it a episode or 2 before I decide - it hasn't grabbed me as must see yet.

To Peter at 2.18 pm re Beldisloe - perhaps we all thought the Wallabies would lose given the strength of the All Blacks - it may rate better next time as there is a chance the Wallabies could regain the Beldisloe and maybe even the Tri Nations - this is a World Cup Year. Plus the kids would like Harry Potter - new movie and book released this month.

And for fans of Life on Mars - the US are doing their usual - repackaging the show for an American Audience - the orginal Life on Mars was shown on BBC America and now like the Office, Kath & Kim and others it is being rewritten and filmed with US actors... I hate when they feel the need to do this as often the original is the best. This time it is David E Kelly doing it... now I will forgive him some things on the basis of Boston Legal...BUT REALLY!

  • by Cathy on July 02, 2007 at 02:58 PM

Rob from Brisbane,

it appears you may be mistaking the first figure (ie. National) for Sydney. In fact, Sydney watches less TV per person than most of the other cities.

  • by Phil on July 02, 2007 at 03:31 PM

Re: Peter - Rugby
I don't think the overall rugby figures were all that bad - considering that Vic, SA and WA got the game on nearly two hour delay and Fox Sports were also showing the game live against the Seven broadcast.Any chance of finding out the Fox Sports ratings for this game TM. Also for those who might not know Channel Ten has the rights for the Rugby World Cup.So the Wallabies seemingly finding form should be putting a smile on their dial

  • by emurray on July 02, 2007 at 04:12 PM

I was called over the weekend and asked if I wanted to participate in the OZTAM ratings. OZTAM had phoned me previously and had asked me a series of questions eg age, occupation etc. Gee, I’m the only person I know who has been contacted by OZTAM….there must be heaps of people having that little box in their household (not!)

  • by Helena on July 02, 2007 at 04:31 PM

I loved the first 2 episodes of Torchwood! Which was suprising since most of Ten's line up includes the horrible Big Brother in some way, shape or form! Get rid of BB and put on more shows like this!

  • by Lisa on July 02, 2007 at 04:33 PM

Big thanks to those who replied to my post - much appreciated! Will give your suggestions a go.

  • by Confused on July 02, 2007 at 05:50 PM

i'm sorry to have to tell people but face it, OZ is small and insignificant. Let's stop deluding ourselves to our state of importance in this world.
Anyway, The last episode of doctor who in the UK has received quite a mixed response. But i have to say that it was cracktastic and i loved it.
Torchwood, love it or hate it, is something australian networks would never have the balls to commission.
Doctor Who, Torchwood and life on mars were all commissioned by BBC Wales. 10 years ago, who would have thunk it? It just shows that for good TV you need a strong commitment to originality and thinking from the head of drama department like Julie Gardner at BBC wales. Too bad australia is in a dire need of producers like her.

  • by airmaestro on July 02, 2007 at 06:25 PM

I predict: Nine will win this week by a .1% margin.

Tribal Mind replies: Interesting. Why? Anyone else want to join this game?

  • by ryan on July 02, 2007 at 07:27 PM

I'm with you ACME, although a bullet is too quick, it should be slow and painful just like the show. I'm assuming you are going to shoot the TV not yourself.
Re Torchwood ... I like to think of it as the "sushi" of the TV world - new, exciting, different and not to everyone's tastes while shows like CSI (insert town here), Sea Patrol (Blue Heelers all at sea), L&O etc are the blanc mange -bland, tasteless and pureed to a smooth consistency for easy consumption.... and ultimately unsatisfying.
Hey, bettestreep, bought "Who Killed Channel 9" at Borders for $29.95 (RRP $45). Very tempted to read the back page to see how it ends ... in tears no doubt!

  • by Shoopie on July 02, 2007 at 09:05 PM

I for one congratulate Channel 7 for winning the first half of the ratings year. And NO i do not work for channel 7 and all that rubbish, but the consistency of how it shows all their shows. In USA, Greys and Desperate Housewives both had "Clip" shows, but Channel 7 didnt show them, and regularly programmed them. This also goes for shows like Ugly Betty and Heroes and etc. When compared to the horrid channel 9, they just stuff you up all over the place. How many episodes have we gone into the new CSI season? It seems we get a new episode every 2 weeks now. And on Sunday night, CSI Miami was a REPEAT AGAIN!! No wonder Channel 9 is sinking in its misery. Also, interestting to see how Sea Patrol rates. I hope it bombs.

  • by Joyce on July 03, 2007 at 12:44 AM

Joyce on July 3, 2007 12:44 AM
"Sea Patrol...I hope it bombs".
My question is why? Is it just because it is showing on Nein? I have been very critical of all networks this year - and, yes, I'm sceptical about an unoriginal idea like Sea Patrol (see my post above), however I think we all go a bit too far when you hope an Australian produced show "bombs" before it's out of the gate!
We can give it a fair go, a chance to find it's sea legs at least.
In regards to Lisa McClune and the Hell has harbour views - I watched this, but didn't like its cynical tone....it must be the Trekker in me that wants to see the best of humankind and its potential.

  • by AJ on July 03, 2007 at 08:35 AM

I would actually guess 9 will win by .3 and because a) to the best of my knowledge there is not a special AFL match to balance out slightly the SOO as with the last match, b) the SOO and c) a Potter movie airing 2 weeks out from the book and 1 week out from the next movie (a life after HP is one of the most viewed articles on SMH yesterday). My wildcard is the Wallabies game and whether the reversal in their fortunes will provide a similar reversal in the fortunes of the coverage.

airmaestro wrote:
i'm sorry to have to tell people but face it, OZ is small and insignificant. Let's stop deluding ourselves to our state of importance in this world.
Anyway, The last episode of doctor who in the UK has received quite a mixed response. But i have to say that it was cracktastic and i loved it.

I do not think Oz is especially significant but we are also not delusional and have a third of the UK's population not a 40th so the population of 50 crack was plain silly as was the claim. BTW I am a Capt Jack fan so I am not particularly knocking Barrowman just laughing at his grasp of the facts.

Mixed reviews is an understatement - it is getting hammered with some cause. I did not hate it as there were a couple of good moments but I was sorely disappointed at least in part because it was a great season and deserved a better end.

DO agree with you wholeheartedly about what a difference someone like Julie Gardner can make. Nein needed someone like her, not The Boned Boner.

  • by Cat on July 03, 2007 at 09:17 AM

Now it is confirmed that Kylie Minogue will be in the Dr Who Christmas Special what are the odds the ABC will still show it in June/July?

  • by Cat on July 03, 2007 at 09:27 AM

Hey Shoopie - check out the chapter re "The Nation". Apparently the $7m man, John Alexander, reckons it is the best show on TV at the moment. He even brags about how many Logies it'll win!!!
Fantastic book. Don't think Gerald Stone will ever work at Nein again ha ha ha.

  • by bettestreep on July 03, 2007 at 10:11 AM

I'm sure I read somewhere that "(All at) Sea Patrol" has already been recommissioned for a 2nd voyage, even though it's not disgraced our screens as yet. Perhaps it could take the place of the Pasha Bulker and run aground on Nobby's Beach.

Another good episode of Torchwood in the midst of my 4 1/2 viewing marathon last night. I'm right now declaring my love for my DVR and its timeshift, so I was able to watch the end of Torchwood and still catch all of a very badly makeup jobbed Denny Crane on BL.

Wondering if Ms McCune really is the drawcard she once allegedly was. Sure, she won Logies, but Blue Heelers lasted quite a long time without her. As previously mentioned, there was that craptastic legal show a couple of years ago that crashed and burned.

  • by Bereft Skerrick on July 03, 2007 at 10:20 AM

ryan on July 2, 2007 7:27 PM : " I predict: Nine will win this week by a .1% margin. "

Based on what Ryan ? Surely not the State of Origin Thugby , won't rate that well in all states , or on my tv .

Looking at Today's figures compared to Sunrise , I'd say 7 has this week in the bag .

  • by jane doe on July 03, 2007 at 10:35 AM

To repeat the question from my post at 9.20 that did not make it - What are the odds that the ABC will show the Dr Who Christmas Special in June as per its normal practice now Kylie is the confirmed guest. Pretty high given their usual obtuse practices.

  • by Cat on July 03, 2007 at 11:14 AM

Confused:

Get adsl2+ if you can. It takes me about 15 mins to download an episode of anything. 1/2 an hour to get a divx movie.

  • by Shane on July 03, 2007 at 11:16 AM

provided wicker park (movie) does badly as expected on wed nite, i think nine will scrape a win with sea patrol increasing ratings.
following weeks it will be back to seven with no SOO & sea patrol starting to drop viewers.

  • by arthur on July 03, 2007 at 11:20 AM

Well, Torchwood's dropping sharply now - and so it should, because it's rubbish. As was the final episode of Who, which is a damn shame because this season was really very, very good. Apparently Russell T Davies only had 4 days in which to write the finale, which is unforgivable. I'll be glad when he leaves at the end of Season 4.

  • by Fielding on July 03, 2007 at 11:42 AM

Hi TM,
Any idea on who grabbed the Aust rights to the current US Summer series - "Traveler"? Normally this time of year I don't download, but I got bored and grabbed a few episodes - very impressed. Cross between Prison Break / The Fugitive / and the latest cop shows.
Thanks

  • by AlphaVictor on July 03, 2007 at 11:48 AM

I think Nine will win - only just. Isn't Wimbledon on as well? That may bolster their late night numbers.

I think a few people on this blog are being very harsh to Sea Patrol without even viewing it. I think Aussie drama should be encouraged.

My guess is it will be similar to Blue Heelers & Water Rats and therefore I probably wont watch.
BUT
I think it will rate above a million and appeal to a lot of people - look at All Saints and McLeods neither are especially fantastic but there is a market for them.

  • by ACME on July 03, 2007 at 12:20 PM

JUst wanted to say that I am pleased to see that Brothers and Sisters is still rating ok. I really like the show and hope that Seven stick with it.

I used to watch sooooooooo much tv (ashamedly about 25 hours per week) but now pretty much only watch Borthers and Sisters and America's Hardest Prisons on Foxtel...Oh and the Rugby League! Brothers and Sisters is my guilty pleasure. :)

Will they continue with the next season on 7? I read somewhere that they have a few more seasons planned for the show.

  • by Michelle on July 03, 2007 at 12:25 PM

To AJ on July 2, 2007 12:53 PM:

Are we thinking about the same shows (Torchwood/Roswell)? Apart from both being in the sci-fi genre, they have very little in common. One is about a group of American teens/aliens living in Roswell (their lives and loves), and the other is about an organisation in Wales that investigates the paranormal. So no, I don't believe it's already been done with Roswell.

  • by Kylie on July 03, 2007 at 12:38 PM

Hey Fielding, I'm not baiting you, I'm just interested. Why do you think that Torchwood is rubbish?

  • by Bereft Skerrick on July 03, 2007 at 12:42 PM

brothers and sisters is great, probly the only show i watch on tv right now. its good to see its flogging torchwood in the ratings.

  • by riceyy on July 03, 2007 at 01:51 PM

brothers and sisters is a great show, im glad that its flogging torchwood, what a load of crap. hopefully there will be a second season.

  • by josh on July 03, 2007 at 01:56 PM

Wow, those figures for Sunrise is tiny (esp. Melbourne - why is that?) and Today is even less than half of its rival. Why the big struggle for a ratings win in those time slots? I couldn't imagine those shows being cheap to run either. Today should cut it's losses and run some cartoons, It would probably perform better.

  • by DB on July 03, 2007 at 02:03 PM

Might be too late for this, but I read two questions about shows that I know the answer too. With Jericho, as Lucy asked, NBC(?) took their time stating whether they were going to take it to a second season. It's only recently been confirmed... but I'm not even sure if they've started production on it yet, so no idea when the second season will be out. Personally, I thought the show was a little too in vein with Lost. Everybody Must Have A Secret, which on a strange island, I can kinda believe, but in a small country town, well, it was pushing the boundaries with that one.
As to Ultraviolet, which I agree is handsdown the best gothic sci/fi for tv ever made, I absolutely adored the way they did vampires, 10x better than Buffy and Angel, but I think a lot of that went into the fact the guy only ever wrote 6 episodes, so he was able to really work on the story and it never had the chance to go too soapy, as so many of them do. He never intended to write anymore episodes, even though they were going to pay him heaps to do so. He just felt that the story was told, and if he kept it going it would lose that quality it had. I know the guy who wrote it is directing mainly now, and did a few Doctor Who episodes.
And as for Torchwood, well, I like it. In fact, I love it (but that may be something to do with obsessive Captain Jack fangirling). But I can admit that a few of the episodes are wince worthy at points, and some gaping plot holes are present, but if you don't take it seriously, it's a pretty good show, much better than American cop dramas like the CSI stuff, which tend to casually forget plot and character development when it doesn't suit their special effects. *rolls eyes* I want those people to actually meet some forensic scientists. And I know season 2 is going to be better, because of a few interviews I've read with RTD. They recognise some things didn't work, and now they're making them better. Which is why season 2 will be starting in early 2008 instead of the gap between the end of Doctor Who S3 and the Christmas Special. So I think it's worth hanging on, especially for episode 8, I just love that one.
wow, that was some rambling

  • by Flit on July 03, 2007 at 02:04 PM

Could you please tell us how did Enough Rope go on its return last night. I noticed it wasn't included in the list. Did Denton beat Diana? Thanks

Tribal MInd replies: 755,000, so no.

  • by cc on July 03, 2007 at 02:19 PM

All this chat about Torchwood didn't help the ratings. The ratings for Torchwood went down and the ratings for Brothers and Sisters went up. The memorial concert might have taken some viewers away from both, so let's see what happens next week.
Border Security did big business but I wonder if the 'Bondi Rescue' copycat, 'Surf Patrol' will also be huge next week.
I don't understand people who are so nasty about Australian TV shows, even before they've seen them. It must be our Cultural Cringe, I suspect. I hope Sea Patrol does well but I suspect that a navy ship will be limiting for storylines. 'Patrol Boat' only ran for two short series. 'City Homicide' won't be as limited but I'm surprised that they went with such an unoriginal title, considering half the potential viewers would be old enough to remember the old 'Homicide'.
As some have already said, why can't the commercial networks produce more original series? Only 'Kick' on SBS and 'Lockie Leonard' on 9 have been original concepts but they're hard to find on Saturday nights at 8pm and weekdays at 4pm. After seeing the stellar cast involved in the 13 part miniseries on Melbourne's criminal underworld, 'Underbelly' on Ch 9 in 2008, I am really looking forward to seeing that.

  • by J Bar on July 03, 2007 at 03:02 PM

what could be so interesting about border security.
seriously is it that good that 1.7 mil people are compelled to watch it.
ou now what will happen anyway, the customs officers will suspect someone of something than interogate them and then thay find something. every time it happens

people must love watching the same thing ove and over again.

id also like to echo comments about sea patrol and channel 9.

i think people are being to vicious. if it was seven then everyone would be eager to watch it, but because its 9 people are not even willing to give it a go.

we should be applauding the networks for giving a new aussie drama a good go at a godd time in prime time.

in saying that, i read in the paper 7's new line up for th second have of the year. surf patrol?, rspca resce?. what is so fasinating about all these shows?? have australia really sunk so low that we have to watch people being rescued from the surf. its just a take off of bondi rescue, and nine had animal hospital on a few years ago. 7 are just reycling old ideas but they will rat cos they will put them on after their high rating shows.

  • by a on July 03, 2007 at 03:22 PM

Well, I hope Sea Patrol is good as I like to support our local industry. So we shall have to all wait with baited breath and not get judgemental before it has even aired. Too many on here are ready to dismiss it out of hand.
We might be pleasantly surprised.
Though I must admit I don't really expect to like it. Why can't be make shows like the Brits do? Like the brillant "Life on Mars"? I really do love that show , it just keeps getting better.
Surely we have the writers, directors, producers here to make quality? There is certainly not much quality coming out of the US these days except for a few exceptions. I really wish the whole reality TV thing would disappear, especially BB! Oh and trash like Pirate Master. I mean, really!

  • by em on July 03, 2007 at 03:36 PM

Gee methinks that riceyy and josh are "probly" the same person, using "flogging" to describe B&S beating Torchwood in the ratings.
As J Bar said, the Ad Break for Diana was in the mix last night, let's see what happens next week.
I don't care what channel Sea Patrol is on. Ifis smells like crap and looks like crap....

  • by Bereft Skerrick on July 03, 2007 at 04:13 PM

Now it is confirmed that Kylie Minogue will be in the Dr Who Christmas Special what are the odds the ABC will still show it in June/July?
* Posted by: Cat on July 3, 2007 9:27 AM

Not likely, unless you mean June/July 2008. This won't screen on the beeb till Xmas this year and I doubt we'd see it before the UK.
That said, if they do manage to get their hands on xmas episodes, even though I saw them all in the Uk at xmas, huddled round a roaring fire with some egg nog, how about the ABC screening The Royale Family, Vicar Of Dibley and Catherine Tate xmas specials....oh and Little Britain Abroad in our wet months of July and August.

  • by wordisout on July 03, 2007 at 05:22 PM

Oh, ok I'm guilty of dismissing Sea Patrol before it even airs but please , someone, tell me how we will be pleasantly surprised? Even with my basic writing skills I could give you a plot layout .... Captain will be either wise and benign, or a new chum who will have trouble with the crew, Lisa will not be accepted by a couple of the older sailors who don't think that women belong in the navy until she proves herself in a spectacular fashion. There will be some sexual tension between Lisa and some shirtless, stubbly hunk. Oh, of course there will be the usual tensions between the men above and below stairs or whatever you call in the navy. There will be some chasing around rounding up smugglers, (drugs & people), illegal fishing - God, I'm bored just thinking about it, let alone watching it. If they added The Village People to the lineup that might just help.

Flit, I recorded Ultraviolet on my trusty VHS years ago ... it must be nearly 10 years!

Bettestreet, will be hitting "the book" tonight while the Y chromosome is watching The Bill. As for The Nation - what was he snorting? Perhaps he meant The Bogies ... Most Embarrassing , Shortest Run, Longest on Life Support with Death Rattles - take your pick ... or shovel in this case and bury it!

  • by Shoopie on July 03, 2007 at 06:18 PM

Xenophobia is back!
I call off my .1% prediction for 9; I was expecting a closer contest on Monday night with the Diana concert.
Sea Patrol might have a kick ass debut, State of Origin wont do that well given it’s a dead rubber, and no one watches bum sniffing in Perth/Adelaide.
Xenophobic Australia looks to have won the week for 7. Unless xenophobic Australia likes their xenophobic fix in drama form more so than in the ‘reality’ genre.
I now say 7 by .4%
Anyone care to debate this?

  • by ryan on July 03, 2007 at 07:29 PM

I just read that even though quizmania was axed we will all be 'enlightened' by another late night quiz. "The mint" will air after Wimbledon ends I think on 9.

Also congratulations to David E. Kelly for the fantastic “Boston Legal”. Last nights episode was great!

  • by lp on July 03, 2007 at 09:59 PM

Hey Confused, could be port forwarding, and you need the ports open on your firewall

  • by jed on July 03, 2007 at 10:48 PM

Xenophic Australia to make 7 win, Ryan?

Border Security is actually an interesting concept (although poorly executed) and I think its good that it rates well.

But if they didnt tune into border security, and 9 won the week, would it be because of bum sniffing Australia that 9 won? Or if Ten gets up, would it be voueyeristic Australia that puts them in front? Or what if SBS won the week, surely multicultural Australia is to blame? And finally if Aunty takes the lead, its gotta be the antipodean 'Australians' that helped seal the deal?

I couldnt be bothered debating, because no matter who wins a week, someone somewhere will have a gripe with the program or channel that won, and it all starts again next week with the same arguments...

  • by Mat on July 03, 2007 at 11:25 PM

I don't think that xenophobic australia would wanna watch ch.7 programs like wicker park (movie), heroes or lost... but that's just me.

  • by arthur on July 04, 2007 at 08:57 AM

I reckon it will be another tight race between Seven and Nine this week. What odds for a tie?
Nine does well with it's CSI rubbish and will do gangbusters with it's SOO and Sea Patrol premiere (I am guessing 1.4 and 1.6m respectively).
Seven has done well with it's usual raters;- DH, Border Security, IT2, AllSaints and may surprise tonight with a Harry Potter special up against SOO. Remember- it's kids holidays in some states!
And the real shock of the week will be ABC beating TEN! Why? Because TEN has decided to roll over and lose this week. House and Medium repeats up against SOO, Potter and Spicks and Specks!!!
And Thursday - they've decided to challenge Sea Patrol with REPEATS of L&O!!!
C'mon TEN - your apathy lately is frustrating! Just because you got Big Brother SO WRONG this year (very boring actually), doesn't mean you can't put up some sort of a challenge??? (Yes - I know TGYH is coming - just not enough IMO).
As for Sea Patrol - well I aint watching it - but I do hope it does well. Geez Nine needs to have a hit and it should be an Australian drama at least! (Reason i ain't watching it - looks too much like Water Rats and i don't care much for the cast).

  • by bettestreep on July 04, 2007 at 08:58 AM

Question for you folks. It is prompted by the battering Sea Patrol is taking before it airs. I have no opinion on the subject at all but it reminded me of something. I get my downloads from Usenet which means I see a fair range of what is on offer and I have only ever seen two Australian shows- Enough Rope and McLeod's Daughters- consistently posted. The rest is generally American or British. We are takers not givers when it comes to downloading.
SO - what Australian shows do you think would be worth putting out there for the rest of the world to download? Given what I think is a current lack of quality shows I include older shows in the question. My first suggestion would be an old one - Rush.
Yes Wordisout I meant 2008. The full season starts in England in March and there is no reason that the ABC could not show it at the same time other than being bloody minded. It is only 13 episodes and does not cross non-ratings periods. Even if they cannot show the Xmas episode at the same time they could show it in March followed by the full season.

  • by Cat on July 04, 2007 at 09:33 AM

Joyce has nailed her colours to the mast (channel 7 colours that is) "Sea Patrol, I hope it bombs".
What, Without even seeing it?

  • by bobmar28 on July 04, 2007 at 10:27 AM

Cat, tickets for Friday's Essendon v Geelong game sold out earlier this week, and with both teams aiming for top 4 spots, the game should attract huge ratings in Melbourne.

  • by Peter on July 04, 2007 at 11:18 AM

I took Channel Nine up on their offer to download and watch ep 1 of Sea Patrol. It comes in three resolutions and I took the biggest one (1,500K) which was about a 550MB wmv file locked onto one computer (you need to have Internet Explorer to download it). It comes with no ads, which is really great.
The show looks very slick and acted competently. There is a thumping music track and good locations. I am very curious to see how it rates for Nine, because you can tell it was expensive.
I did get the feeling however, that it thoroughly resembles the US-type hype-dramas in its editing and scripting. Moreover, the themes of militarism, xenophobia, 'mateship' and patriotism are inescapable, given what we're dealing with. Personally speaking, all these things are far from a turn on--but I am very curious how the rest of the viewing public will take it, given the popularity of Seven's Border Security.
It is less fun to berate Nine and hope for failure, given that Packer is no long The One in charge. I am estimating high ratings for the first show and then it will possibly stabilise, but of course these things are so hard to tell!

  • by Andrew Staker on July 04, 2007 at 12:15 PM

Question - If I was watching breakfast TV our Prime Minister always did his interviews on Today. Now I read in the SMH that he spoke to Sunrise this morning. Is that a first? Or has the PM like a whole bunch of other Aussies, decided to make the switch?

  • by Kaybee on July 04, 2007 at 12:35 PM

It's looking like Nine are apparently planning on moving the Today morning show out of their Willoughby studio in Sydney, to a Sydney CBD location (the ACP building), as is the case with Seven's Sunrise show, who operate in a Sydney CBD studio. This will allow the Nine show's hosts to go outside and mingle with people standing outside and also to have music performers do concerts outside (if they're able to, at that particular location, as I don't reside in Sydney).
There's nothing original about Sunrise's CBD concept, as it's just imitating the concept used by excellent American NBC Today Show in New York (that Seven show an abridged version of, at 4 am on weekdays).


Tribal Mind replies: Just outside ACP is a traffic nightmare, but it is opposite Hyde Park. Perhaps the concerts will happen there.

  • by Tony on July 04, 2007 at 01:08 PM

Kaybee wrote "Question - If I was watching breakfast TV our Prime Minister always did his interviews on Today. Now I read in the SMH that he spoke to Sunrise this morning. Is that a first? Or has the PM like a whole bunch of other Aussies, decided to make the switch?"

Ah! I noticed that this morning too. Methinks that in this election year the PM honchos have finally realised that Sunrise is doubling Today's figures. Those two are really lame interviewers though.......

  • by JB on July 04, 2007 at 01:27 PM

Can anyone tell me if Top Gear was on SBS on Monday night or not? All the TV guides I looked at said something else was on, but according to the SBS website, the 'new' series started at 7:30pm

  • by Tonksy on July 04, 2007 at 01:50 PM

Has anybody noticed that the abc's ratings is getting closer to that of 10's ?

Canwest - time to change your format - you cannot attract a niche audience in a mass market ....

It's change for the better or lose more of an audience.

  • by randwick geoff on July 04, 2007 at 01:50 PM

Xenophobic Australia looks to have won the week for 7.
Posted by: ryan on July 3, 2007 7:29 PM
Why do you consider Border Security Xenophobic? It seems like a particularly stupid thing to say as far as I'm concerned.