The Who We Are Update: Week 32

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of the blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current. For the latest discussion, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To discuss the most desirable people on Australian television, go to The Tribal Mind.
To learn why New Zealand should become part of Australia, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
On Friday night an average of 3.3 million people in the mainland capitals watched the opening ceremony between 10 pm and 2am. Seven reports that the peak audience was 4.4 million early in the coverage, and 2.5 million were still watching when the Australians marched in at the end of the event.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 2,218,000 683,000 621,000 448,000 187,000 280,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,214,000 719,000 553,000 476,000 201,000 265,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 FRINGE Network 7 1,717,000 541,000 494,000 330,000 166,000 187,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,205,000 362,000 346,000 241,000 128,000 129,000
5 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,071,000 353,000 333,000 177,000 108,000 101,000
6 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,033,000 254,000 296,000 233,000 145,000 104,000
7 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 LATE MORNING Network 7 1,030,000 250,000 358,000 155,000 134,000 133,000
8 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 886,000 194,000 250,000 212,000 117,000 114,000
11 THE BILL-EV Network ABC1 726,000 243,000 182,000 120,000 86,000 96,000
12 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 650,000 82,000 334,000 31,000 73,000 130,000
21 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Network TEN 417,000 44,000 200,000 43,000 80,000 51,000
26 BEIJING 2008: MENS CYCLING ROAD RACE Network SBS 347,000 110,000 124,000 48,000 37,000 28,000
31 BEIJING 2008: WOMENS FOOTBALL SWE V ARG Network SBS 300,000 109,000 92,000 52,000 30,000 16,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: OPENING CEREMONY Network 7 3,307,000 1,007,000 1,028,000 444,000 356,000 473,000
2 M-TOUCHING THE VOID (R) Network 7 1,642,000 501,000 561,000 212,000 162,000 205,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,432,000 474,000 345,000 302,000 185,000 126,000
4 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,300,000 301,000 394,000 256,000 129,000 220,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,284,000 335,000 348,000 320,000 154,000 127,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,244,000 301,000 348,000 266,000 158,000 171,000
7 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,001,000 412,000 324,000 265,000
8 COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING Network 7 984,000 657,000 327,000
9 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 983,000 301,000 280,000 160,000 100,000 142,000
10 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE FRI Network TEN 930,000 300,000 331,000 152,000 84,000 63,000
18 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 19: MELBOURNE VS GEELONG Network 7 716,000 441,000 155,000 119,000
19 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 708,000 424,000 283,000
29 SUNRISE Network 7 387,000 133,000 66,000 102,000 33,000 53,000
36 TODAY Network 9 301,000 91,000 111,000 57,000 18,000 24,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Thursday
Just as a matter of historical record, Channels Seven and Nine go into the Olympic period neck and neck for the year. Seven will win the next two weeks, of course, but then the key question will be whether its victory for the year will be real or a hollow one which requires the inclusion of figures for the Olympic period. It does not look as if Make Me A Supermodel will be the saving of Seven in September.

For the week so far, Nine has 28.3 per cent of the prime time audience, Seven 27.7, Ten 20.1, ABC 18.6, SBS 5.3.

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,586,000 487,000 358,000 349,000 170,000 222,000
2 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,394,000 446,000 321,000 270,000 152,000 206,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,354,000 396,000 325,000 256,000 182,000 195,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,260,000 351,000 358,000 247,000 169,000 134,000
5 GETAWAY Nine 1,199,000 362,000 332,000 218,000 164,000 123,000
6 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL Seven 1,182,000 405,000 306,000 219,000 98,000 153,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,160,000 306,000 368,000 255,000 139,000 93,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,155,000 282,000 385,000 232,000 151,000 105,000
9 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,130,000 324,000 348,000 212,000 89,000 158,000
10 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,069,000 261,000 425,000 156,000 117,000 110,000
11 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,051,000 273,000 340,000 179,000 140,000 118,000
12 LAW AND ORDER: SVU RPT Ten 991,000 279,000 303,000 156,000 129,000 124,000
13 JACK THE RIPPER: THE FIRST SERIAL KILLER ABC1 981,000 291,000 282,000 144,000 115,000 147,000
14 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 980,000 268,000 302,000 191,000 102,000 117,000
16 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE THURS Ten 929,000 264,000 278,000 185,000 87,000 116,000
19 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: OLYROOS V SERBIA Seven 851,000 340,000 214,000 127,000 76,000 95,000
25 Q & A ABC1 541,000 197,000 150,000 81,000 62,000 50,000
26 BUILDINGS THAT SHAPED BRITAIN ABC1 521,000 142,000 169,000 81,000 69,000 60,000
33 SUNRISE Seven 354,000 116,000 75,000 93,000 26,000 45,000
44 TODAY Nine 300,000 99,000 92,000 59,000 20,000 29,000
54 THE BENNY HILL SHOW Seven 240,000 100,000 44,000 40,000 24,000 31,000

On Wednesday Seven paid the penalty for its silly scheduling of Heroes, which suddenly reappeared in a two hour "season finale" and managed to gather only 690,000 in the mainland capitals. You'd have to wonder why two of the show's stars would agree to come to Australia in September to promote a franchise that Seven has successfully stomped into the ground.

(Note: The woman in our picture is not Jennifer Hawkins but the much more interesting Ali Larter from Heroes)

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,646,000 471,000 434,000 345,000 200,000 197,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,617,000 498,000 401,000 309,000 170,000 239,000
3 HOLE IN THE WALL Nine 1,555,000 443,000 421,000 311,000 189,000 191,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,389,000 444,000 362,000 227,000 150,000 206,000
5 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,358,000 415,000 385,000 263,000 135,000 160,000
6 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,352,000 412,000 371,000 256,000 155,000 159,000
7 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 1,300,000 382,000 367,000 218,000 145,000 188,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,239,000 401,000 302,000 228,000 141,000 166,000
9 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,239,000 335,000 400,000 215,000 135,000 154,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,170,000 325,000 374,000 241,000 133,000 98,000
11 THE NEW INVENTORS ABC1 1,144,000 329,000 336,000 216,000 142,000 121,000
12 COLD CASE Nine 1,133,000 298,000 377,000 189,000 136,000 133,000
13 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL - WED Seven 1,065,000 364,000 272,000 202,000 85,000 142,000
14 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Ten 1,045,000 292,000 348,000 182,000 90,000 133,000
16 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,034,000 358,000 345,000 231,000 101,000
18 MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS Nine 931,000 260,000 256,000 192,000 117,000 107,000
19 FREEZING ABC1 893,000 286,000 273,000 151,000 82,000 99,000
24 THE HOLLOWMEN ABC1 816,000 246,000 291,000 123,000 71,000 84,000
28 HEROES - WED Seven 690,000 186,000 226,000 100,000 91,000 86,000
38 SUNRISE Seven 344,000 106,000 69,000 86,000 30,000 53,000
44 TODAY Nine 293,000 97,000 91,000 59,000 18,000 28,000
What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THE ONE - AUSTRALIA'S MOST GIFTED PSYCHIC Seven 1,556,000 447,000 404,000 344,000 138,000 224,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,502,000 438,000 363,000 311,000 161,000 229,000
3 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,330,000 381,000 409,000 239,000 151,000 150,000
4 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,326,000 414,000 333,000 257,000 131,000 191,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,314,000 405,000 323,000 242,000 139,000 205,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,312,000 310,000 458,000 281,000 146,000 116,000
7 WIPEOUT -RPT Nine 1,297,000 386,000 397,000 190,000 171,000 153,000
8 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,290,000 367,000 388,000 241,000 139,000 155,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,268,000 290,000 433,000 303,000 132,000 111,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,192,000 311,000 406,000 215,000 113,000 147,000
11 NCIS EP 2 RPT Ten 1,112,000 284,000 348,000 177,000 150,000 153,000
12 NCIS EP 1 RPT Ten 1,042,000 269,000 315,000 162,000 150,000 146,000
14 FAMILY FORTUNES ABC1 1,020,000 305,000 309,000 202,000 97,000 107,000
20 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 871,000 290,000 283,000 132,000 84,000 82,000
34 RAMSAY'S BOILING POINT Seven 474,000 116,000 151,000 79,000 70,000 58,000
38 FIRST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB ABC1 384,000 138,000 139,000 37,000 39,000 30,000
44 HOW TO HAVE SEX AFTER MARRIAGE Nine 346,000 105,000 106,000 61,000 34,000 40,000
45 SUNRISE Seven 340,000 111,000 67,000 94,000 32,000 35,000
51 TODAY Nine 290,000 107,000 90,000 47,000 18,000 28,000
70 THE BENNY HILL SHOW Seven 199,000 72,000 41,000 36,000 28,000 22,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,719,000 502,000 421,000 347,000 171,000 278,000
2 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,700,000 550,000 535,000 288,000 181,000 147,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,575,000 466,000 402,000 299,000 162,000 246,000
4 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,488,000 417,000 370,000 306,000 154,000 240,000
5 THE FORCE (R) Seven 1,465,000 418,000 395,000 276,000 149,000 228,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,411,000 431,000 352,000 283,000 150,000 195,000
7 CITY HOMICIDE (R) Seven 1,368,000 392,000 417,000 250,000 125,000 183,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,286,000 394,000 356,000 260,000 149,000 127,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,259,000 335,000 396,000 268,000 161,000 99,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,255,000 371,000 383,000 264,000 147,000 90,000
11 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,222,000 349,000 399,000 229,000 115,000 132,000
12 CRIMINAL MINDS - MON (R) Seven 1,177,000 344,000 378,000 182,000 126,000 147,000
13 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S LIFE OF MAMMALS Nine 1,161,000 318,000 346,000 216,000 146,000 136,000
14 TOP GEAR SBS 1,042,000 308,000 351,000 155,000 114,000 115,000
16 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 897,000 304,000 241,000 192,000 70,000 89,000
18 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 874,000 309,000 251,000 115,000 102,000 97,000
20 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL MON Ten 828,000 228,000 298,000 129,000 78,000 95,000
21 FOUR CORNERS ABC1 797,000 266,000 206,000 165,000 79,000 81,000
24 ENOUGH ROPE WITH ANDREW DENTON ABC1 752,000 247,000 225,000 143,000 65,000 73,000
29 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 630,000 211,000 189,000 94,000 79,000 58,000
30 BURN NOTICE MON Ten 609,000 183,000 190,000 87,000 82,000 66,000
42 MARK LOVES SHARON Ten 306,000 97,000 102,000 32,000 39,000 36,000
47 30 ROCK Seven 294,000 113,000 78,000 40,000 38,000 26,000

The ratings race, updated 6pm Sunday
Wouldn't it be ironic if Channel Seven actually lost audience share as a result of its saturation coverage of the Olympics? Seven goes into the Olympics slightly ahead for the year, but what if Australians rapidly tire of screaming crowds, dancing dragons and medal ceremonies without Australian athletes?

The other networks are doing their best to help Seven by giving up the fight during the Olympic fortnight, scheduling repeats and duds instead of launching the exciting new series they keep boasting about. But even repeats of Thank God You're Here may be preferable to Why Are We There?

Seven won last week, with 29.4 per cent of the prime time audience, thanks to The Force (1.7m in the mainland capitals), a repeat of Border Security , RSPCA Animal Rescue and the Monday to Friday news, but Nine managed 27 per cent with the help of 60 Minutes (1.7m), Nine news Sunday and Domestic Blitz .

The ABC scored 18.1 per cent with The Gruen Transfer , Spicks and Specks , and Foyle's War, while Ten got 20 per cent even though its only entries in the Top 40 were a repeat of Thank God You're Here and a repeat of NCIS (1.2m).

On SBS, Top Gear drew 938,000 and a repeat of Food Safari drew 392,000, while on Pay TV, NRL Cowboys V Roosters drew 307,000 to Fox Sports 2, NRL Sharks V Dragons drew 263,000 to Fox Sports 2, a repeat of Family Guy on Fox 8 got 187,000 and Project Runway Australia on Arena got 175,000.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Nine 1,751,000 501,000 507,000 355,000 175,000 213,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,606,000 359,000 447,000 390,000 143,000 267,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,476,000 345,000 518,000 329,000 186,000 98,000
4 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Seven 1,377,000 393,000 397,000 263,000 145,000 179,000
5 ANIMAL EMERGENCY Nine 1,348,000 347,000 390,000 293,000 170,000 149,000
6 FOYLE'S WAR ABC1 1,215,000 382,000 331,000 217,000 139,000 146,000
7 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,195,000 347,000 340,000 237,000 141,000 130,000
8 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC1 1,182,000 311,000 379,000 223,000 122,000 147,000
9 ROVE Ten 1,102,000 329,000 333,000 202,000 108,000 129,000
10 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Ten 1,085,000 327,000 346,000 172,000 131,000 109,000
11 ABC NEWS UP-DATE ABC1 1,065,000 337,000 294,000 173,000 134,000 127,000
12 DOCTOR WHO ABC1 1,064,000 361,000 252,000 232,000 102,000 116,000
13 THANK YOU Seven 1,001,000 263,000 248,000 227,000 100,000 163,000
14 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Ten 955,000 282,000 288,000 188,000 99,000 99,000
15 DOCTOR WHO: CONFIDENTIAL CUTDOWN-EV ABC1 853,000 292,000 208,000 157,000 92,000 104,000
20 DEXTER Ten 688,000 154,000 260,000 105,000 78,000 91,000
24 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 18: ST KILDA VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 484,000 9,000 310,000 9,000 140,000 16,000
25 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 467,000 228,000 239,000
31 THE FORBIDDEN CITY SBS 313,000 72,000 114,000 57,000 38,000 32,000
46 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 18: FREMANTLE VS WEST COAST Seven 218,000 218,000
47 AFL GAME DAY Seven 217,000 132,000 42,000 43,000
48 WWE AFTERBURN Nine 214,000 53,000 79,000 45,000 23,000 14,000
51 TRINNY & SUSANNAH UNDRESS Seven 211,000 91,000 43,000 43,000 34,000
52 SCRUBS (R) Seven 209,000 69,000 69,000 39,000 32,000
58 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 18: WESTERN BULLDOGS VS SYDNEY Seven 189,000 94,000 42,000 53,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, week ending August 2
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,667,000 517,000 442,000 321,000 177,000 211,000
2 THE FORCE Network 7 1,662,000 437,000 442,000 368,000 160,000 255,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,627,000 539,000 463,000 303,000 204,000 118,000
4 BORDER SECURITY (R) Network 7 1,616,000 482,000 404,000 362,000 131,000 236,000
5 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Network 7 1,584,000 454,000 378,000 337,000 186,000 230,000
6 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,558,000 438,000 391,000 327,000 173,000 229,000
7 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 1,552,000 418,000 366,000 373,000 168,000 227,000
8 DOMESTIC BLITZ Network 9 1,551,000 523,000 412,000 295,000 175,000 145,000
9 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,544,000 464,000 446,000 263,000 156,000 215,000
10 CITY HOMICIDE Network 7 1,533,000 438,000 445,000 278,000 153,000 219,000
11 MEDICAL EMERGENCY Network 7 1,506,000 435,000 362,000 303,000 180,000 226,000
12 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Network 9 1,492,000 443,000 464,000 296,000 147,000 143,000
13 WIPEOUT Network 9 1,482,000 426,000 468,000 238,000 192,000 158,000
14 THE GRUEN TRANSFER Network ABC1 1,450,000 471,000 472,000 237,000 133,000 137,000
15 THE ONE - AUSTRALIA'S MOST GIFTED PSYCHIC Network 7 1,449,000 410,000 392,000 304,000 131,000 213,000
16 CRIMINAL MINDS Network 7 1,425,000 392,000 438,000 248,000 163,000 183,000
17 MADE IN CHINA Network 7 1,399,000 382,000 355,000 324,000 131,000 205,000
18 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,391,000 404,000 347,000 264,000 166,000 210,000
19 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,387,000 405,000 461,000 262,000 133,000 126,000
20 CRIMINAL MINDS - MON Network 7 1,387,000 362,000 444,000 249,000 149,000 182,000
21 TWO AND A HALF MEN Network 9 1,384,000 401,000 426,000 249,000 162,000 146,000
22 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,360,000 376,000 377,000 372,000 141,000 94,000
23 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Network 7 1,322,000 390,000 429,000 242,000 118,000 143,000
24 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,314,000 358,000 403,000 279,000 140,000 134,000
25 ALL SAINTS Network 7 1,310,000 410,000 408,000 204,000 136,000 153,000
26 CSI: MIAMI Network 9 1,303,000 347,000 402,000 253,000 159,000 143,000
27 GETAWAY Network 9 1,301,000 404,000 369,000 246,000 123,000 160,000
28 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,280,000 407,000 294,000 250,000 135,000 193,000
29 THE CELEBRITY SINGING BEE Network 9 1,274,000 417,000 388,000 190,000 121,000 158,000
30 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S LIFE OF MAMMALS Network 9 1,259,000 387,000 363,000 228,000 136,000 145,000
31 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,238,000 329,000 399,000 262,000 130,000 118,000
32 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Network 7 1,230,000 309,000 412,000 216,000 133,000 161,000
33 GHOST WHISPERER Network 7 1,204,000 381,000 291,000 242,000 142,000 148,000
34 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,202,000 325,000 396,000 249,000 115,000 117,000
35 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,200,000 322,000 313,000 231,000 110,000 224,000
36 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Network TEN 1,192,000 369,000 361,000 189,000 138,000 136,000
37 FOYLE'S WAR Network ABC1 1,188,000 378,000 354,000 177,000 119,000 161,000
38 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,169,000 268,000 361,000 282,000 92,000 166,000
39 BONES Network 7 1,166,000 318,000 341,000 224,000 143,000 139,000
40 NCIS EP 2 RPT Network TEN 1,162,000 323,000 345,000 186,000 167,000 141,000
41 NCIS EP 1 RPT Network TEN 1,162,000 315,000 339,000 214,000 144,000 149,000
42 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,157,000 325,000 370,000 205,000 110,000 148,000
43 ABC NEWS-SUN Network ABC1 1,081,000 342,000 301,000 172,000 114,000 152,000
44 CSI: NY Network 9 1,081,000 303,000 332,000 179,000 151,000 116,000
45 ENOUGH ROPE WITH ANDREW DENTON-LE Network ABC1 1,080,000 351,000 366,000 131,000 105,000 127,000
46 DOCTOR WHO Network ABC1 1,039,000 380,000 224,000 215,000 94,000 128,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). To discuss Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Speaking of pre-olympic fatigue, I feel the same way about Aus Idol. That bloody song on the promo is doing my head in ..."Can you feel it, can you feel it, can you FEEL it? etc...." AAAAAAAAAUUUUGH!! I've resorted to the mute button every time I see it. If I don't get there fast enough that song keeps me awake at night.
And I'm assuming it'll keep up until after the BOG?
I've had enough of sunny faced teenagers in t-shirts and cosmetic scarves trying to out-warble each other already. Let alone Kyle, Marcia, Dicko etc. Eeee-ew. Go away.

by darren on August 04, 2008 at 08:40 AM

'Thank you' by Mel and Kochie - the most nauseating crap ever put on evening television. I'd rename the show 'f#$% You Australia - we will keep using these 2 muppets on every new show that we screen."

by Neil on August 04, 2008 at 09:07 AM

Hi David,
Sorry to be a pain but where are Sunday night's (3/8) ratings?
thanks,
Adam.

Tribal Mind replies: I had some (paid) work to do this morning. I'm onto the unpaid work now and you'll see the chart in a moment. Anything in particular you want to know?.

by Adam on August 04, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Does anyone think that they ended Gruen Transfer a bit too prematurely? I would've liked to have seen a "what the viewers voted as Best Pitch" and a few of the standout create your own ad examples. Do we know if this is the last of Gruen for the year or is it just another program going into BO hiatus?

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, last of Gruen for this year.

by AJ on August 04, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Another week over, and now the dross begins. Tough bits if you are not interested in the drug games about to commence. Saturation coverage on both 7 & SBS and the others have gone out in sympathy. Not even Dexter on Sunday night, or has that been canned already. It is going to be a VERY long 16 days. Might dig a hole and bury myself

by ozinoz on August 04, 2008 at 01:05 PM

Tribal Mind, do you have ratings for SBS's soccer coverage for yesterday. SBS airs several soccer related shows from 3 to 6pm, including the Aussie 'The World Game' show. Thanks :)

by Jimbo on August 04, 2008 at 01:57 PM

In the midst of moving one the weekend, when I was grounded at home being a good wifey caught yesterday's episode of Scrubs. Seems it's been relegated to the "we own the rights so we're going to treat it like shite" position.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 04, 2008 at 02:09 PM

AJ - not sure of what the lead time on the Gruen was, but I am guessing ABC etc didn't want to incur too many costs etc until they have tested the waters. I think it will be back with a bigger season in 09. It was an interesting concept and I thought quite interesting (and certainly not hurt by the lovely Briget Taylor from NZ :) ). Loved the "Gorilla" ad from the last ep - makes some of the local material look pretty crap (which it is anyway). Foyle is now but history, but I did read they are trying to talk Anthony Horowitz into writing a "post war" series, but that might just be wishful hoping (and it would need the superb cast back of cause) Annoyed supremely by the way 7 has treated both Prison Break and Heroes. To drag them back, for in the case of Heroes, 1 week, is just insulting. They wonder why the uptake of pay has been steadily increasing. Oh well, what do we know

by ozinoz on August 04, 2008 at 02:28 PM

Darren, we crack up every time we see the Aus Idol ad. We love the guy whose sole contribution is "Bowwwww!", the guy after the red-haired dude with the incredibly high voice and the large woman who has a deeper voice than all of the men put together. Sadly, the advertising is working because now I want to watch and laugh at these people.
Watched America's Next Top Model last night for the same reason. How did so many ugly women make it to the final 12? Especially the twins?

by Billy on August 04, 2008 at 03:16 PM

Darren the worst thing about the Oz Idol ad is it is invading the cinemas - at the Movies yesterday to see the Bank Job (brilliant by the way) and I saw two Ch Shirl Repeat Lather Repeat ads - Rush and Oz Idol... Now I go to the cinema to see a movie and previews for other movies NOT TV ads especially those shot on very low quality video rather than 35 mm!

Still I am happy that the Olympic Network (for now anyway - after BOG it goes to Nein ... argh all Eddie all the time) is showing both Boston Legal and 30 Rock tonight.

TM think that whether 7 maintains its lead will depend on how shabbily they treat us post games.

By the way used iview yesterday to catch up on last week's Foyle's War. Was a nice way to get up to date. I did have a couple aborted attempts where Explorer had to close down but then it worked.

Mrs Skerrick - remaining down south or moving closer to the metropolis?

by Cathy on August 04, 2008 at 03:57 PM

Cathy: moving closer to Nowra, the social capital of the mid South Coast. Home of a really ugly new Entertainment Centre that has hot hits like Barry Crocker playing banjo, or Shirley Valentine. Also birthplace of wonderful actors like Ashley Paske.
I also heard rumours that Nowra was also responsible for Steven "Channel 7 Weather Dwarf and possible lovechild of Daryl Somers" Jacobs. And for that I am sorry.
Had a scare last night tuning in the HDTV. Wasn't able to find Channel Lather Rinse Repeat. How can I go own without having Birdget Jones, Love Actually and Happy Gilmore rerun ad nauseum? Luckily redid the process and found them.
Re: Rush. Doesn't anyone think that Catherine McClements hasn't aged since Water Rats? Does she sleep in a hyperbaric chamber or does she just have a really good surgeon?

by Bereft Skerrick on August 04, 2008 at 04:43 PM

by Neil on August 04, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Ye gods, Neil, what were you thinking? I saw the promo for Thank you Australia and kept well clear. Truly gagworthy
I notice that Channel Flog a Good Thing to Death has advertised 3 nights of SYTYCD during the coming week ... I think even the monkeys have packed up and gone home...

by Shoopie on August 04, 2008 at 05:18 PM

How did the show about the rugby union cannibals rate last night on SBS at 9.30pm?

by W Warannel on August 04, 2008 at 05:58 PM

Never actually noticed the Aus Idol ad properly, just knew a lot of the males had really high voices. Watched the ad again, and noted Billy's comments, and now I am going to crack up everytime it comes on. It was a pity Foyle's War only had a few eps this season...looking forward to Perfect Day though, all the reviews seem to be positive.

by Kym on August 04, 2008 at 07:13 PM

Look what I found!
Wonder how long before we get to see it - or will ABC do another Dr Who/Torchwood and let the infidels get it?
Spooks: Liberty (2008)
Spooks: Liberty is an upcoming spin-off series from the BBC television show Spooks produced. It is about MI5 officers who "follow a different rulebook". The new "Spooks: Liberty" series is set in the "near future" and covers a the assassination of the Royal Family by a group within the American CIA. A group of new young MI5 recruits who "don't play by the usual rules" have to orchestrate the recovery operation from various remote locations somewhere outside the capital. It will start in 2008. It is produced by the independent production company Kudos.
Also Known As :
* Rogue Spooks (Working Title)
Status : Pending
Premieres : This Year
Language : English
TV Station : BBC Three
Country : United Kingdom
Genre : Crime, Drama

by Sal on August 04, 2008 at 07:50 PM

"Hi David,
Sorry to be a pain but where are Sunday night's (3/8) ratings?
thanks,
Adam.
Tribal Mind replies: I had some (paid) work to do this morning. I'm onto the unpaid work now and you'll see the chart in a moment. Anything in particular you want to know?.
by Adam on August 04, 2008 at 12:30 PM "
Thanks David. I wanted to see how Doctor Who and the Confidential doco are faring against the commercial networks. Good to see it maintain ratings over the million mark!! :-)

by Adam on August 04, 2008 at 09:01 PM

TM: may I ask, how did 'Australian Story' with Kate Ritchie go last night in the ratings? It was quite an interesting show. First time I've ever seen Kate Ritchie as a real person (with some borderline personality disorders..."am I Kate or am I Sally?"). But it left me wondering why Seven didn't come up with it (I suppose I shouldn't wonder)? After 20 years you'd think they could at least do one interesting interview with good ol' Sal... I mean Kate. Instead, they come up with garbage like 'Thankyou' (or whatever the damn thing on Sunday was called). That's as deep as they get over at Seven. If Mel can't twinkle her eyes & scrunch her nose at someone and Kochie can't wipe away a tear and say "goodonya" it's just not a real story.
Also glad to see 'Grand Designs' back on ABC tonight in prime time. Good move. I've been missing it.

TM replies: Not well. I've put it in the chart. I think everyone had seen too much of KR when she retired from Summer Bay -- Seven realised that, ABC didn't..

by darren on August 05, 2008 at 08:42 AM

On Sunday arvos I kick back with a cuppa, an amazing fruit cake and the TV guide for laughs. I circle the shows I want to record. This time I get past Foyle's last episode (sniff sniff) and discover that even before the Olympics start it is all repeats all the time. Was excited to see 30 Rock survived but know it will disappear next week. Tuesday my favourite dweeb Kevin McCloud makes it into prime time and Wednesdays still has S & S and a show with Alex Kingston in the promos. Then nothing. Absolutely nothing for the rest of the week. Not a good sign.
Even Top Gear will disappear for the Olympics but at least they are going to show series 11 after which makes a nice change SBS!! Congrats!
For those who have not seen the episode yet the Doctor's "daughter" is played by one of the Doctor's daughters (Peter Davison) and after you watch (definitely not before) Google David Tennant and Georgia Moffett and see what that would do to Whovians with a poor grasp of the reality/fantasy divide.
Lastly I was confused by the reference to Rush (immediately thought of John Waters and that theme tune) and realised that apart from taping The Simpsons I have not seen a Channel Teen show in weeks.

by Cat on August 05, 2008 at 08:56 AM

Coincidence that Top Gear had David Tennant as its Star in a Reasonably Priced Rebaged Daewoo and it gets over 1 million in the ratings? I think not!

by Bereft Skerrick on August 05, 2008 at 09:38 AM

Dear TM the shows I was after ratings for are shown on 9 Perth Sunday Arvo,WWW Afterburn between 2pm and 3pm the fishing show, 3 to 3 30, the Gilmore girls,Don't know if you have them, but would like to know how to get hold of them,thanks

Tribal Mind asks: So you want to know the ratings for shows that are only shown in Perth on a Sunday afternoon? While I am trying to find them out, (and since I am in Sydney on a Tuesday afternoon, working for a Sydney web site designed for Sydney Morning Herald readers, it may take a while) can you please tell us all why?

by John Ryan on August 05, 2008 at 11:09 AM

TM replies:...."I think everyone had seen too much of KR when she retired from Summer Bay -- Seven realised that, ABC didn't".
What kind of intelligence does it take to know that people won't watch a doco about a Logie-winning (that probably means something but I don't know what) actress that's been on tellie for 20 years but WILL watch three hours of repeats on a Monday night (if I'm reading the chart correctly)? Must be a special type of genius. Go figure.
By the way, I was surprised to see Anna Coren in Beijing last night. Thought she'd be grounded and paying off Seven's defamation bills, reporting on Olympic uniform outrages, new-fangled tinea cures & stories about Chinese workers taking....other Chinese workers' jobs for the next two weeks. But no, she's over there with Mel & Kochie & the rest of the "team". Lucky Chinese.

by darren on August 05, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Yes, Bereft, I was one who followed The Doctor to Top Gear, a show I would never normally watch. (And will not again, it's just about cars, boring!)
Laughed to hear David Tennant talking about the end of year special "coming up", with our Kylie. Looks like SBS is running a bit behind with that show.

by Sal on August 05, 2008 at 11:56 AM

No, Bereft Skerrick, SCRUBS has been relegated like that as you say. It was only a repeat after all. It was on at 11am on Sunday as a filler as they do with these type of shows on weekends. Seven have done this with shows including ACCORDING TO JIM and MY WIFE & KIDS for years. You should be thankful that is what Seven Programming chose for Sunday. You've also had repeats of SCRUBS on weekdays at 3.30pm until last Friday. As well as another repeat on last night at 12.25am on 7HD.

For clarification, the AFL FOOTY SHOW is shown on 9HD across all metros as is FOOTY CLASSIFIED. So WIN does this too on their HD channel wherever they show breakaway programming.
TM, I also live in Sydney (I watch the AFL FOOTY SHOW on 9HD at 9.30) and then I also also sometimes see the replay on Nine which is usually on from around 11.30.
On THE AFL FOOTY SHOW last week, there was a discussion of the interest of Tasmania in getting their own team and after a showing Tasmanian Minister Paula Wriedt talking about the proposed Mars sponsorship of this proposed team Sam Newman said "It's worthy of coming on her" and straight afterwards when he noticed what he had said he clarified what he meant which was that she should be on the show.

Late last week, John Ryan was refering to WWE AFTERBURN which screens on Nine on Sunday afternoons & the fishing show he was talking about following AFTERBURN was FISHING AUSTRALIA.

by cpandilo on August 05, 2008 at 12:24 PM

by Bereft Skerrick on August 05, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Actually speaking of Top Gear, the English papers have been reporting on the contract negotiations for the next series of Top Gear. It seems that while nicely paid, Hammond and May are paid considerably less than Clarkson. Clarkson not only reporting gets GBP 2 mill a year but also a % share of the franchise profits. Having watched the show, apart from his interview with the celeb star in a reasonably priced car, I can't see that Clarkson contributes more in % terms than the other two guys. Regular watchers, what do you think. Is Clarkson worth 3 times more + profit % than the other two men?

by Kate on August 05, 2008 at 12:47 PM

Actually, I thought Oz Story with Kate Ritchie quite interesting. Interesting because she seemed to be having a problem leaving Sally behind. And I had to wonder why any actor would stay with the same role for over 20 years. I think the girl needs some therapy, badly.
Out come the DVD's for the next few weeks as BOG kills everything else on the box. Can't one network at least show something worth watching? How about a "classic film" festival or two? And , no, Ten , I dont mean more "encore presentations" of Love, Actually or BJ. I mean some good old films , like Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Kate Hepburn or even a Hitchcock marathon. Give us something besides sport , please!

by em on August 05, 2008 at 02:17 PM

Anyone else read/heard that Seven are chucking a giant cookie over Nein interviewed swimmers inside BOG even sites?
BTW missed Good News Week last night as was unpacking and dealing with a 4yr old who put wet wee wee trousers inside a freshly washed basket of bedsheets (GRRRRR). Has their season/run ended?
H G Nelson really is going the pimp on his new book isn't he. On Rove and GNW. has he been sighted anywhere else?
At least Doctor Who isn't going on hiatus. As for Tennant dating his "daughter" (who BTW is also the real life daughter of Trillian from the original Hitchhikers Guide), Mr Skerrick said, and I quote, "EEEEWWWWWW".

by Bereft Skerrick on August 05, 2008 at 03:59 PM

While it may seem from show to show that Clarkson may not have an increased amount of screen time compared to the other two, the commentary and the reviews that he does (he does the majority of car reviews on track) are of much better quality than the other two. Btw 2mill GBP is about 5 mil USD which is quite low i thought, considering they keep quoting that there are 250 mil viewers watching TOP Gear across the world.

by WD on August 05, 2008 at 04:10 PM

Kate, I've always loved Top Gear because of Hammond, and that was before the accident. The way he and Clarkson banter in particular is why I watch - they have a good chemistry TOGETHER, and more (for me) because of Hammond. I've noticed in more recent episodes that James has been getting more of a look-in, and it seems to be more even, more the three of them than Clarkson, with the other two in lesser roles (which I assume is why the pay the way it is). If If they were to leave and it was just Clarkson (and some replacements), I doubt I'd be a regular viewer. For me, Hammond always has the best one-liners and the sharper humour. Mr Beckala on the other hand is a huge Clarkson fan, so I'd probably be forced to watch.

RE: Oz Story, I didn't watch it, but not because I wasn't interested (being a Merrick and Rosso listener I've loved her being on the show, because it meant they got rid of the idiotic Sami Lukas) but because I knew I could catch it either on repeat on ABC2, or online. I wonder, if they are going to bring about all of these new broadband streaming websites for each channel, are they going to start collating the ratings for those too?

by Beckala on August 05, 2008 at 04:12 PM

how did the final 'skins' episode rate? better than usual?

Tribal Mind replies: 97,000 across the mainland capitals, so no.

by ben on August 05, 2008 at 08:00 PM

Dear TM, cause getting any kind of information on Perth ratings apart from top 10 is for some one who does not know where to look impossible,
As you seem to know your way around I thought I would ask you sorry if I am being a pain thanks .

Tribal Mind replies: Well here's the list that seems to cover the period of Sunday afternoon in Perth you are interested in:
GILMORE GIRLS Nine 30,000
THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW Nine 26,000
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 Ten 25,000
I FISH Ten 25,000
SEVEN'S AFL: RND 18: ST KILDA VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 16,000
WWE AFTERBURN Nine 14,000

by John Ryan on August 05, 2008 at 10:52 PM

Re Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear. He left the show a couple of years ago and the show's ratings fell. Probably explains the contract. Sal, I am not a car fan, but love Top Gear, largely because it is more than cars. Monday's episode was not a great one for someone that has not seen the show before. David Tennant and the remote car sequence were terrific, but I think you would have needed to seed the show before to appreciate the rest of the show.

by Louise on August 05, 2008 at 11:45 PM

Agree with Louise that not being a car fan is no barrier to enjoying Top Gear and I am proof of that. I have ... wait for it... a 17 old car (my first) that has only got 100k on it (that is what comes from living next to a railway station). I really enjoy the banter and some of the challenges have been priceless. The looks on Hammond and May's faces when their Reliant Robin space shuttle actually managed to take off is one classic moment from the show that did not require any interest in cars. The next series is only 6 episodes long but there is another one coming a few months after that so I am curious Kate if that 2 M GBP salary was for the next series or for a full year?
I will be off with the DVDs for the next little while so will not be following the ratings closely but I am sure 7's ratings dominance is assured purely because of the absence of competition.
BTW I am not sure why Mike Bailey has done the Channel 9 weather for about 12 days straight but I am enjoying it. The girl is not too bad - actually seems to know what she is talking about but is no competition for Mike. But then again I am a female so I might be missing the point.

by Cat on August 06, 2008 at 07:45 AM

I am certainly NOT a motorhead - a car is just a functional item to get you from A to B hopefully without getting wet, but I never miss Top Gear. The chemistry and banter between the 3 makes it what it is and I am usually safe in knowing that by the end of the hour, I will have tears rolling down my face. I just find it so funny. The original car into boat challenge still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about Captain Slows mast being ripped off on the road bridge or The Stig in his full racing suit on the Tube with nobody paying the slightest notice or Hammond's fear when JC gave him a poke on the shoulder during the 24 hr enduro race the other week. That aside, the camera work is akin to a BBC nature doco - they are all beautifully filmed. JC also writes for newspapers in the UK on behalf of TG so I assume that would also have to be taken into account at contract time. Pity it all comes down to $$

by ozinoz on August 06, 2008 at 09:45 AM

Saw the ad for "Hole in the Wall" on Nine. Why oh why did nine decide to put its C-grade celebs on this as contestants. How to take what could have been a very funny show with normal contestants (after all the youtube clips of the japanese show are hilarious) and turn it into a cheap cross promotional plug fest. Look at "Wipeout" its only funny because it isn't celebs. I'll watch HITW but if the cross promotion becomes too much I'll just find something else to watch or do. Memo to Nine: just because some actor or sportsperson is on one of your shows (which I most likely don't watch) doesn't make them a celeb to me.

by ned on August 06, 2008 at 10:25 AM

I too love Top Gear and don't really care for cars. It is THE funniest show on TV. The challenges are a classic. Laughed at "Olvier", Hammonds car from the Africa challenge being nominated for car of the year.

On a different point, Fifi Box is joining the Sunrise "family" next year. Dog help us all!

by Nic on August 06, 2008 at 11:28 AM

I seriously cannot believe that so many people watched a repeat of the Wipeout drivel. Are they so stupid that they couldn't figure out what happened the first time around? Or do most of Ch 9's viewers suffer Alzheimers and think repeats are new episodes?

by J Bar on August 06, 2008 at 11:32 AM

TM, How did "Grand Designs" go in its new timeslot? Less than "Family Fortunes" at 8pm I presume! I love this show but did find the new timeslot a bit weird! Maybe it is better suited to the early evening than prime time. Thanks in advance.

Tribal Mind replies: 1.01m.

by Adam on August 06, 2008 at 11:39 AM

How does Mark Ferguson still have a job? Does anyone remember that Jim Waley got punted and shown the door because he was being belted by Seven news. Looking at last night's results Nine news was beaten convincingly by 148,000 people tuning into Seven. The writing is on the wall for Mark in my opinion.

by AJ on August 06, 2008 at 11:55 AM

In our house we never miss Top Gear, we rate the success on the show by whether my wife gets asthma by laughing too much!! (the amphibious car challenge really got the ventilin going), & she has no interest in any other car show what's so ever. Clarkson also write humerous books that are worth a read. TM how did Grand Designs (ABC 8:30) go last night??

by PJ453 on August 06, 2008 at 12:24 PM

I said in an earlier post recently that THE BIG BANG THEORY would be replacing TWO AND A HALF MEN repeats at 7pm from next week - that has since been changed and from next week Nine will be showing repeats of 'TILL DEATH at 7pm weeknights. TM, how did 'TILL DEATH & TWO AND A HALF MEN (8.30, rpt) do last night? I enjoyed last night's 'TILL DEATH.

Tribal Mind replies: Till Death 892,000, Two and a Half Men 1.3m.

by cpandilo on August 06, 2008 at 12:57 PM

by Cat on August 06, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Jeremy' s estimated ï¿½2m + % contract is apparently per year, Hammond & May's have signed on for 2 years contracts and they get a sum per episode, Hammond ï¿½25,000 a show and May ï¿½20,000 per ep throughout those 2 year agreements.
Was just curious as watching the show only a few times, the contributions seemed relatively equal but was wondering if those few eps were the exception not the rule. It has been interesting to get feeback from more regular watchers. Hammond could also get a nice earner from F1 commentary when BBC start broadcasting it so I don't think he will be in the poorhouse any time soon. Also, would be interesting to know what the Stig gets :) The secrecy & mystique would be worth many zeros :)

by Kate on August 06, 2008 at 02:44 PM

Dear TM thank you for the ratings, its very good of you John

by John Ryan on August 06, 2008 at 03:04 PM

It will be interesting to see how the first Olympics match rates for 7 tomorrow. Its football Australia vs. Serbia so I would expect good ratings. Shame most of you here dislike the Olympics. If you turn on SBS instead of 7 it becomes much more interesting since swimming is not the only Olympic sport.

by Nick on August 06, 2008 at 04:14 PM

Hi TM
Was wondering, do the Simpsons rate over the million mark anymore? The 7:30-8:30 Tuesday timeslot seems very competitive these days. How did they rate yesterday?

Tribal Mind replies: No they don't.

by rt on August 06, 2008 at 05:29 PM

Just found out about a rift between bald moron and giggles (aka Kochie and mel)
Aparently kochies on the big bucks and mel wants more.
The sunrise may be about to set!

by Mekellan on August 06, 2008 at 06:38 PM

Today is catching up on Sunrise, sunrise is almost being beaten in sydney by Today... but does 9 realise its not becasue people like Lisa and Karl but its becasue Sunrise has lost the plot and there is nothign else to watch!!!!

by dave on August 06, 2008 at 07:57 PM

Saw about 2 minutes of 'Hole in the Wall' last night between ads.
That stain on the couch is going to be very difficult to get out. The dog's run away like it does on New Year's Eve. The goldfish are floating upside down in their tank (and they're not resting). All the milk in the fridge has curdled. And I'll never be able to remove the sight of Tim Smith's silver lycra-clad bits from the backs of my retinas.
Picturing a swimming pool full of red liquid and dotted with various half-submerged 'celebrity' limbs bobbing past helped a little but not enough.
And this was a 'Sneak Peek'.
Like they sometimes give you a sneak peek on the news of rapists & kiddie-fiddlers to watch out for.
"Police have released this identikit of the show 'Hole in the Wall'. If you see this show, do not approach. Turn of the TV and call the Police who will hunt it down & kick it to death".
Where's Kerry Packer when you need someone to ring up and yank a show off-air mid-broadcast?
Truly THE worst show on TV this year.
I'm off to find the 'Aus Idol' promo. Something, anything to get rid of Tim Smith's bits from where it's lodged mercilessly in my subconscious. If that doesn't work, you'll find me in a corner crouched down and muttering "Tim Smith's bits, Tim Smith's bits..." and slapping at both ears with open palms.

by darren on August 07, 2008 at 05:58 AM

Fifi Pox on Sunrise? Do I hear a shark being jumped? What purpose is she going to serve. Whiny annoying stereotype?
Will be interesting to see the ratings for Freezing. Not particularly funny, and is this why Ch 2 has already announced that Hollowmen will be back on 27th filling the 9pm slot?
And those ads with Alex Kingston were misleading. She wasn't even on last nights episode!

by Bereft Skerrick on August 07, 2008 at 07:52 AM

Anyone see Hole In The Wall? *Cues some trolling*. I saw it for mindless fun, very tacky but clearly intentionally so. How did it go DD (I say 900k).

by arthur on August 07, 2008 at 08:11 AM

Nick wrote: Shame most of you here dislike the Olympics. If you turn on SBS instead of 7 it becomes much more interesting since swimming is not the only Olympic sport.
I must correct you on that Nick. I do like the Olympics - or at least the Summer Games. It is this Olympics which is leaving me cold. The only thing that will tempt to watch the actual broadcast (as opposed to hearing about it on every single news bulletin) will be if we have one of those odd little stories like the swimmer from Africa who took forever to complete his heat back in 2000. Then I will definitely choose SBS because I suspect they might show more than 15 seconds straight of an event. Otherwise it is DVDs and previously recorded TV for me starting tonight as shows I am interested in ran out last night.
Speaking of which TM could you please include how Freezing, the 9.00 show for the ABC, did? I am interested in the drop from the Gruen Transfer.
Nice to see Kevin McCloud do well on Tuesday nights but sadly doubt he will manage a million next week.

by Cat on August 07, 2008 at 09:06 AM

I thought 'Make Me A Supermodel' was going to do better but I suppose it has the same target audience as SYTYCD, so they cancelled each other out and the rest of the audience just gravitated to Nine.
Two And A Half Men 1,646,000 and Hole In The Wall 1,555,000. What? Can't believe the success of either of these shos. Shame on you Australia for watching this rubbish and making them hit shows.

by J Bar on August 07, 2008 at 09:26 AM

Ok ... way off with my predictions for Hole In The Wall *whistles*.

by arthur on August 07, 2008 at 09:51 AM

Over 1.5 million? Obviously public humiliation and Tim Smith's bits *shudder* rate.
Said it before, shall say it again. Society, you are dead to me.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 07, 2008 at 10:08 AM

Darren, love your work! I , too , saw a tiny bit of HITW . I can't believe 1.5 mil people tuned in! Those figures will encouarge Nein to show it again! Surely this is an all time low in TV programming. Is that the best networks can come up with? Were people that bored last night? Surely watching paint dry would be more entertaining. I will never, ever understand the viewing public!
And I have to agree with Cat. I usually watch a bit of the Olympics. I like the swimming and having a daughter who does equestrian stuff so I usually watch those events too. But I am doing a personal boycott this time around because of China's treatment of the Tibetan people. It is a purely conscience thing for me.

by em on August 07, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Forgot to say thanks Kate for the information about the Top Gear boys. I personally think anyone who gets paid 2M GBP to drive around in supercars, trip off around the world to carry out outrageous and downright silly stunts and only has to produce about 25 shows a year has a) a karma overload and b) should not be too pushy in his negotiations. Just quietly I suspect the lead on the Australian version will not be expecting a similar salary from SBS!!

by Cat on August 07, 2008 at 10:23 AM

With all of this 'Wipeout/Hole In The Wall' unbearable success I am just waiting for Ten to bring back 'It's a Knockout' or even better 'Family Double Dare'...

by cc on August 07, 2008 at 10:26 AM

TM, I think you're refering to the 7pm episode - I meant the 8.30 episode (TWO AND A HALF MEN - 1.3 million) - they were both repeats but because they were not together but in separate timeslots they should have different rankings on your ratings list.

Tribal Mind remarks: Perhaps I need to clarify something. "I" am not referring to anything. It is not "my" ranking. I simply reproduce the most interesting bits of the chart sent out by OzTAM to every TV network every morning around 8am. Sometimes OzTAM lists things in a strange way because the stations have not provided an up to date program list. I would have no way of knowing what OzTAM means when it lists Two and a Half Men.

by cpandilo on August 07, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Freezing is no Gruen Transfer for laughs, but still worth a look...especially the look on Richard E Grant's look on his face when told how good he was in Notting Hill ! The Hollowmen was again a very intelligent script...don't tell people that they might die in an army recruiting advert.

by PJ453 on August 07, 2008 at 11:51 AM

I bet the reason HOLE IN THE WALL did so well was because of TWO AND A HALF MEN being before it and also being a new episode as well as because it was a sneak peak and there was a high curiosity factor. It will be interesting to see its ratings post-Olympics when Nine begins airing the actual episodes.

by cpandilo on August 07, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Cpandilo, no. The reason HITW rated so well is people are fascinated by shiny things. It was the silver suits ("Lookie here Cletus, them peoples got themselves shiny skin. Must be some o' them ill-legal aliens I been hearin' so much 'bout from that Annie Coren. She so purdy. Hyuck, hyuck").

by darren on August 07, 2008 at 03:17 PM

I think Hollowmen is improving - last night's episode was quite funny. Not so sure about Freezing - I may warm to it.
Re Hole in the Head - I can only assume that the meters are supplied to people with extremely low expectations or none at all...
Darren - after your "experience" I'm sure you can see the value in purchasing a leather recliner - stains are easily mopped up. I have one that has proved invaluable during my forays into the dark side and it will see me through my old age...

by Shoopie on August 07, 2008 at 03:51 PM

I'm glad Heroes bombed for Seven. Whose bright idea was it to stop showing the 2nd season with only 2 episodes left, then suddenly run them months later as a one-off "movielength" episode? Why not wait until the 3rd season? Idiots.

by Fielding on August 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM

I'm probably going to watch Top Gear more now. Not because of David Tennant - I missed that episode! I saw one with Spooks stars Peter Firth and Rupert Penry-Jones and was laughing out loud. Will the Australian one work as well? I must say, though Jeremy Clarkson is entertaining, that is a fair bit of money he gets. This show's funnier than Freezing - and I did want that to be good. I couldn't even muster a grin throughout it! I'm missing The Gruen Transfer already. I thought Make Me A Supermodel would've performed better too. Maybe because Ch 7 has it on overload already. It's on again tonight! I'm just curious as to how well the Opening Ceremony will perform. Did it garner many viewers in Athens?

by Kym on August 07, 2008 at 05:48 PM

Now I am sorry but I liked Make Me A Supermodel.

by Nicholas Renwick on August 08, 2008 at 12:14 AM

Cat on August 07, 2008 at 10:23 AM....You're welcome :)

Oh, Darren, you'd made me laugh but you also keep reminding me of "the bits" that I personally was trying to erase from my memory. Watched Hole for a few minutes out of curiosity but that was all I could stomach, after watching those stomachs. Hopefully, the ratings were due to a high curiosity factor by others and predict a ratings tanking into the tank for future eps. Still can't fathom why two & a half men rates so well. Same plot almost every episode. Still, Sheen is happy, apparently he makes US $20m a year... without driving any fast cars :)

by kate on August 08, 2008 at 12:48 AM

Shoopie @ 3:51 PM (yesterday)...Hmmmm, Leather recliner.....might be worth a try. Or I could just try to avoid shows that have that effect...........? Okay, leather recliner it is then.
For all you Olympics sceptics, thought you might be amused by a classic piece of graffiti that's been sitting there on the wall of the railway viaduct at St. Peters (where King Street crosses the tracks) since the SOGs, which is suddenly oh so appropriate again (for the BOGs). And I quote:
"O limp prics". Hee hee ...still makes me laugh. Not quite "Eternity" but pretty good, still.
There's another one somewhere that says "All this brown is getting me down" which I also love, but that's another story.

by darren on August 08, 2008 at 05:56 AM

Saw the double ep of Heroes last night as I recorded it from Wed night. They were not new eps. They were the last two 7 showed last time but strung together to make it look like a "movie length episode".
I was disappointed to say the least as I had already seen them.

by em on August 08, 2008 at 07:13 AM

Watching Freezing, it reminded me of a British version of Curb Your Enthusiasm without the clever plot stucture that only Larry David seems to do consistently well. I hope it picks up as I think its got potential and Wednesdays is now the only night of FTA television I regularly watch thanks to Spicks and Specks and 9am is too early to go to bed (for sleep anyway).

by Neil on August 08, 2008 at 09:54 AM

Just back from a successful foray to a local department store. Ned & Stacey. 1st Season. $13!!!! Plus the 1st Stargate movie for $20! Plus a box of those yummy Choc Chip cookies they sell there. You know the ones.
My recliner is currently upside down on my loungeroom floor. Makes it difficult to watch TV.
Watched Supermodel last night (nothing else on) just wondering how many ways that Hawko can say to her fellow judges "We've made a decision, let's go tell them".

by Bereft Skerrick on August 08, 2008 at 09:55 AM

Has anyone watched SYTYCD yet? I keep forgetting to watch it although it is on every 5 minutes! i just don't if I can be bothered investing so much time and energy into the trials and tribulations of the dancers on their various journeys to bring "dance" to the people.

And can someone please enlighten me as I feel that I am missing out on the comedy hit of the decade - Two and a Half Men. Is it really that funny as 5 minutes of it reduced me to tears of boredom. It must be me as I guess that 50 million blowflies can't be wrong when there is a dead skunk in the middle of the road...

by Shoopie on August 08, 2008 at 10:47 AM

It's interesting that Jennifer Hawkins has received so many votes on your other blog 'The most desirable people on television 2008' but that didn't seem to translate into big ratings for make Me A Supermodel.

by J Bar on August 08, 2008 at 02:32 PM

In response to shoopie on August 08, 2008 at 10:47 AM:
"And can someone please enlighten me as I feel that I am missing out on the comedy hit of the decade - Two and a Half Men. Is it really that funny as 5 minutes of it reduced me to tears of boredom."
Er, no - it is dire. Absolute rubbish.
Try "Penn & Teller's BS" on ch9 at midnight tuesday, quite a funny and informative show.

by Craig on August 08, 2008 at 02:41 PM

Quoth Kate on August 06, 2008 at 02:44 PM: "Also, would be interesting to know what the Stig gets :) The secrecy & mystique would be worth many zeros :)"
A friend of mine told me who The Stig was. The name meant nothing to me. I'm one of those who watch the show for the humour and the banter, not the cars. :)
I seem to have watched nothing on TV this week except for Top Gear and First Tuesday Bookclub. And yet I have nothing to show for it, so I wonder what I actually did with my spare time this week...

by tqd on August 08, 2008 at 04:09 PM

Shoopie, I've been watching SYTYCD, but they only got to the good stuff on Wednesday. Then you only needed to watch the final five minutes last night for the results. They do the whole performance/result in a block tonight.
I'm in agreement with you re: 2 and a half men. I've just never gotten why (a) so many people watch it or (b) why the critics respect it so much that moron Sheen is up for Emmys/Golden Globes every year, and Zach Braff has only been up once for Scrubs!!
Watched Supermodel last night (after SYTYCD - i've been sick really, so anything about reality tv last night was just too intelectually taxing) - good god it was dreadful. Jennifer Hawkins makes Natalie Bassingthwaite look like the most talented host ever, the contestants - well, I didn't really see the "model" let alone the "super". As for the challenges - direct your own photo shoot turns in to soft core adult photos... Definitely not sticking with it. Apologies to those who liked it, I just didn't see the attraction (but then again, I might have just caught the really dodgy bit?)

by Beckala on August 08, 2008 at 04:12 PM

I note that at least 18 million didn't watch the BOG opening thingy - I was one of them....bah humbug, grumble grumble...
Thanks Beckala and Neil for confirming what I had suspected!

Tribal Mind remarks: The figures I gave were only for the mainland capitals. Nearly another 2 million watched in what OzTAm calls "regional" areas.

by Shoopie on August 09, 2008 at 10:41 AM

Interesting that the Olympics are moving to 9 and Foxtel in 2012

by Nick on August 09, 2008 at 11:41 AM

WOW! Thats a huuuge number for the opening ceremony considering it didn’t finish until after 2am EST. Lots of sleep ins across the country today, nice work 7!

by Ryano on August 09, 2008 at 01:34 PM

My girlfriends son downloaded a whole heap of shows,for us so with a bit of luck I will avoid the Olympics all together. Watched one last night called Bonekickers also have the latest series 6 of Spooks and a lot more great, its all HD as well.
TM may I ask where you got the ratings from for Sunday arvo in Perth,I would like to know thanks.
This is part of an ongoing thing with 9 and Rugby League supporters in Perth who keep getting told RL dont rate from the looks of the figures you gave me neither does what they are showing now.
I know you not overly keen on biffo as you call it, but I am so its either get my Ariel adjusted to watch WIN which shows the game into country WA and owns 9 in Perth,or wait till 4 30 on FOXTEL,also its finals time coming,thanks for you help

Tribal Mind replies: I got the Perth figures from my usual leak of confidential data sold to the TV networks by OzTAM. If you want more detailed figures, you have to buy them from OzTAM. Apart from this blog, there is no public source of ratings data.

by John Ryan on August 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM

TM do you have the figures for Channel 9's delayed Friday night NRL in Sydney and Brisbane and Channel 7's Saturday morning replay of Friday night AFL in Sydney and Brisbane? Cheers

Tribal Mind rep;lies: Something called "Nine's Friday night football" got 193,000 in Sydney and 103,000 in Brisbane, and Saturday AFL seems to be 61,000 and 47,000. What does this information mean?

by Dave on August 10, 2008 at 04:38 PM

Tribal Mind rep;lies: Something called "Nine's Friday night football" got 193,000 in Sydney and 103,000 in Brisbane, and Saturday AFL seems to be 61,000 and 47,000. What does this information mean?

Massive drop off from the live NRL broadcast to the delayed coverage due to Olympics opening ceremony no doubt. Great figures for the Saturday morning AFL replay of Friday night football in Sydney and Brisbane when compared with what a late night replay normally gets on a Friday night. Cheers for the figures TM.

by Dave on August 11, 2008 at 07:35 AM

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