The Who We Are update: Week 33

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This week of the blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current.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 media discussion, go here
To learn why New Zealand should become part of Australia, go to Younger, sexier, smarter.
To discuss why Amanda Vanstone is like Nicole Kidman, go to Who We Are.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,935,000 623,000 574,000 352,000 170,000 216,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,925,000 599,000 546,000 315,000 190,000 275,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 FRINGE Network 7 1,336,000 453,000 370,000 238,000 111,000 164,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 LATE MORNING Network 7 1,233,000 318,000 424,000 223,000 112,000 157,000
5 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,199,000 417,000 390,000 155,000 147,000 89,000
6 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,198,000 386,000 363,000 248,000 90,000 112,000
7 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,133,000 286,000 360,000 238,000 141,000 109,000
8 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,006,000 265,000 310,000 212,000 96,000 123,000
9 ABC NEWS-SAT Network ABC1 795,000 211,000 254,000 136,000 95,000 99,000
10 THE BILL Network ABC1 746,000 262,000 199,000 112,000 82,000 90,000
16 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 571,000 87,000 294,000 66,000 67,000 58,000
20 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Network TEN 412,000 32,000 154,000 20,000 121,000 85,000
30 STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE RPT Network TEN 286,000 54,000 96,000 56,000 37,000 43,000
40 ICE ROAD TRUCKERS Network TEN 189,000 189,000
70 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 20: PORT ADELAIDE VS COLLINGWOOD Network 7 82,000 47,000 35,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 2,042,000 648,000 574,000 349,000 212,000 259,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,912,000 592,000 607,000 331,000 206,000 175,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,877,000 596,000 497,000 322,000 219,000 244,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 FRINGE Network 7 1,332,000 458,000 391,000 243,000 122,000 118,000
5 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,189,000 352,000 398,000 192,000 135,000 113,000
6 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,060,000 263,000 333,000 261,000 110,000 94,000
7 AGATHA CHRISTIE: AFTER THE FUNERAL RPT Network ABC1 994,000 315,000 320,000 143,000 103,000 113,000
8 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 AFTERNOON Network 7 970,000 313,000 300,000 185,000 92,000 80,000
9 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 LATE MORNING Network 7 901,000 283,000 273,000 196,000 78,000 71,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 880,000 221,000 268,000 213,000 96,000 82,000
11 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 870,000 257,000 244,000 138,000 110,000 121,000
12 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE FRI Network TEN 854,000 242,000 282,000 132,000 74,000 124,000
14 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 20: PORT ADELAIDE VS COLLINGWOOD Network 7 762,000 Not shown 451,000 Not shown 166,000 145,000
22 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 486,000 246,000 Not shown 241,000 Not shown Not shown
25 SUNRISE Network 7 439,000 151,000 83,000 109,000 36,000 59,000
29 BEIJING 2008: ARCHERY MENS GOLD MEDAL Network SBS 399,000 61,000 195,000 35,000 55,000 53,000
36 TODAY Network 9 298,000 87,000 104,000 50,000 20,000 37,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 PRIMETIME Seven 1,968,000 608,000 602,000 366,000 195,000 197,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,904,000 596,000 575,000 326,000 181,000 226,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,891,000 575,000 567,000 346,000 177,000 226,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 FRINGE Seven 1,139,000 386,000 333,000 216,000 113,000 91,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,060,000 321,000 318,000 168,000 124,000 129,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,032,000 303,000 285,000 203,000 144,000 98,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 952,000 256,000 292,000 184,000 130,000 89,000
8 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 AFTERNOON Seven 923,000 287,000 296,000 162,000 98,000 79,000
9 LAW AND ORDER: SVU RPT Ten 910,000 251,000 288,000 161,000 102,000 109,000
10 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 LATE MORNING Seven 910,000 265,000 294,000 178,000 90,000 84,000
11 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE THURS Ten 904,000 287,000 292,000 164,000 64,000 98,000
12 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 841,000 235,000 304,000 136,000 75,000 91,000
18 GETAWAY Nine 760,000 218,000 231,000 151,000 76,000 84,000
22 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 632,000 110,000 288,000 85,000 76,000 73,000
24 HUNT THE KAISER'S CRUISERS! ABC1 592,000 180,000 166,000 94,000 69,000 84,000
29 SUNRISE Seven 445,000 136,000 88,000 126,000 33,000 62,000
34 BEIJING OLYMPICS: YUM CHA D6 Seven 311,000 100,000 96,000 87,000 28,000 Not shown
39 TODAY Nine 292,000 102,000 78,000 50,000 28,000 34,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 PRIMETIME Seven 2,131,000 629,000 667,000 401,000 230,000 204,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 2,047,000 655,000 518,000 427,000 199,000 248,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,960,000 638,000 504,000 381,000 191,000 246,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 FRINGE Seven 1,438,000 448,000 417,000 315,000 126,000 133,000
5 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,063,000 310,000 310,000 203,000 109,000 132,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,061,000 288,000 292,000 234,000 136,000 110,000
7 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 AFTERNOON Seven 1,060,000 310,000 319,000 252,000 83,000 96,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,053,000 311,000 334,000 155,000 96,000 157,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 943,000 274,000 264,000 187,000 124,000 95,000
10 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Ten 904,000 264,000 266,000 149,000 96,000 129,000
24 FREEZING ABC1 521,000 159,000 155,000 91,000 53,000 64,000
25 SUNRISE Seven 479,000 168,000 97,000 131,000 34,000 49,000
32 BEIJING 2008: MENS FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA V IVORY COAST SBS 397,000 132,000 134,000 50,000 44,000 38,000
36 THAT MITCHELL AND WEBB LOOK ABC1 346,000 99,000 111,000 57,000 33,000 46,000
37 CANAL ROAD Nine 340,000 84,000 105,000 52,000 51,000 47,000
39 TODAY Nine 309,000 81,000 100,000 64,000 28,000 36,000
40 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: YUM CHA D5 Seven 295,000 93,000 77,000 97,000 27,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
The records being broken this week are not only in sport. It looks as if Seven scored a record figure on Monday night for its news -- 2.45 million. Some Sunday newses in the past have done better, but this seems to be the highest weekday figure so far this decade. For further info on how this compares with earlier viewing records, go to The TV Shows We Loved).

Now here's a challenge. What will be the first non-Oly-related program in the next nine days to beat the Olympics to number one spot in the daily ratings chart? In other words, at what point will the majority of Australian viewers tire of sport and switch to other channels in search of an alternative, and what will that alternative be? Go to comments, below, to register your prediction.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 2,219,000 666,000 628,000 438,000 205,000 282,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 PRIMETIME Seven 2,111,000 664,000 607,000 405,000 207,000 228,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,967,000 594,000 519,000 366,000 208,000 281,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 FRINGE Seven 1,710,000 556,000 532,000 333,000 151,000 137,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,108,000 338,000 326,000 156,000 152,000 137,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,061,000 279,000 310,000 224,000 148,000 101,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,050,000 292,000 342,000 195,000 124,000 97,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,036,000 264,000 339,000 178,000 123,000 133,000
9 NCIS EP 1 RPT Ten 1,028,000 275,000 288,000 193,000 125,000 147,000
10 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 AFTERNOON Seven 1,003,000 275,000 321,000 211,000 100,000 96,000
11 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 LATE NIGHT Seven 964,000 297,000 320,000 171,000 102,000 73,000
12 NCIS EP 2 RPT Ten 928,000 237,000 288,000 157,000 113,000 134,000
13 GRUMPY OLD WOMEN ABC1 884,000 269,000 255,000 129,000 126,000 105,000
14 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 LATE MORNING Seven 876,000 222,000 282,000 205,000 85,000 82,000
15 FRIENDS - DAILY Ten 876,000 224,000 285,000 147,000 94,000 125,000
16 GRAND DESIGNS ABC1 856,000 275,000 257,000 124,000 107,000 95,000
17 7.30 REPORT ABC1 839,000 308,000 224,000 106,000 115,000 87,000
18 DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER Nine 837,000 199,000 273,000 131,000 107,000 126,000
19 TIL DEATH -RPT Nine 828,000 222,000 277,000 138,000 102,000 91,000
20 THE SIMPSONS TUES EP 2 Ten 826,000 184,000 265,000 168,000 87,000 122,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 2,451,000 657,000 819,000 458,000 223,000 293,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 2,167,000 611,000 713,000 364,000 205,000 274,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 PRIMETIME Seven 2,014,000 585,000 636,000 366,000 191,000 237,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 FRINGE Seven 1,701,000 510,000 574,000 369,000 132,000 116,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,140,000 279,000 337,000 255,000 154,000 115,000
6 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 AFTERNOON Seven 1,133,000 308,000 364,000 264,000 98,000 99,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,088,000 276,000 323,000 232,000 144,000 114,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,030,000 342,000 327,000 138,000 105,000 119,000
9 FOUR CORNERS ABC1 990,000 320,000 282,000 185,000 89,000 114,000
10 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 LATE MORNING Seven 985,000 253,000 320,000 242,000 83,000 87,000
11 THE MAN WHO LIVES WITH BEARS Nine 953,000 241,000 294,000 182,000 126,000 109,000
12 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 944,000 307,000 266,000 172,000 93,000 107,000
13 THE SIMPSONS MON EP 2 Ten 885,000 298,000 220,000 151,000 100,000 115,000
21 BURN NOTICE MON Ten 785,000 236,000 199,000 165,000 94,000 92,000
22 ENOUGH ROPE WITH ANDREW DENTON ABC1 768,000 210,000 272,000 116,000 81,000 90,000
28 THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN RPT Ten 528,000 164,000 143,000 82,000 72,000 68,000
32 SUNRISE Seven 441,000 145,000 93,000 116,000 33,000 54,000
33 BEIJING 2008: MENS ARCHERY TEAM FINAL SBS 405,000 105,000 131,000 73,000 39,000 57,000
34 BEIJING 2008: WOMENS BEACH VOLLEYBALL DAY 3 SBS 389,000 97,000 160,000 65,000 47,000 21,000
39 TODAY Nine 296,000 74,000 104,000 52,000 23,000 43,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
If Seven's programmers were worried that politics or pollution might put Australians off switching to Beijing, they can relax now. On Friday night an average of 3.3 million people in the mainland capitals watched the Olympic opening ceremony between 10 pm and 2am, with a peak audience of 4.4 million for the singing and 2.5 million still awake when the Australians marched in. (By comparison, the Athens opening in 2004 was watched by 3.04 million, Sydney scored 6.5m in 2000 and Atlanta scored 3.1m in 1996)

Then on Saturday evening, 2.2 million watched the heats. And on Sunday, there were still 2 million watching the prime time performances. Seven estimates that 11.8 million Australians saw some part of the coverage on Friday or Saturday, offering some compensation for the disappointing performance of Make Me A Supermodel, which drew only a million viewers on Wednesday and Thursday and fell way behind Nine's gloriously silly new game show Hole In The Wall.

Seven's most watched non-sporting program of the week was The One -- Australia's Most Gifted Psychic, while Nine scored with 60 Minutes and The Farmer Wants A Wife . The ABC drew 1.4 million to Spicks and Specks and 1.2 million to Foyle's War, but Freezing, which replaced The Gruen Transfer on Wednesday, managed only 859,000, a drop of 400,000, while The Hollowmen has now sunk to 803,000.

Ten's only entry in the Top 40 was a repeat of NCIS, with 1.1 million, while SBS drew a remarkable 1.04 million to Top Gear and 347,000 to the Men's Cycling on Saturday. The most watched shows on Pay TV included NRL: Knights v Eels (Fox Sports 2) 299,000; NRL Sharks v Rabbitohs (Fox Sports 2) 249,000; America's Next Top Model (Fox 8) 220,000; Futurama Fox 8) 190,000 and Project Runway Australia (Arena) 173,000.

Of course, Seven won the week, averaging 34.8 per cent of the prime time audience to Nine's 24.8, Ten's 18.4, ABC's 16.7 and SBS's 5.3.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 2,095,000 576,000 551,000 437,000 225,000 306,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D2 PRIMETIME Seven 2,093,000 690,000 565,000 377,000 209,000 253,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D2 AFTERNOON Seven 1,821,000 505,000 626,000 327,000 165,000 198,000
4 60 MINUTES Nine 1,453,000 380,000 464,000 279,000 152,000 178,000
5 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,312,000 390,000 421,000 255,000 147,000 100,000
6 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,130,000 247,000 381,000 239,000 134,000 130,000
7 ABC NEWS-SU ABC1 1,121,000 287,000 356,000 229,000 116,000 133,000
8 OLYMPICS: D2 LATE NIGHT Seven 1,090,000 321,000 384,000 201,000 111,000 73,000
9 DOCTOR WHO ABC1 1,008,000 323,000 244,000 217,000 98,000 126,000
10 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Ten 989,000 272,000 335,000 200,000 96,000 85,000
11 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: YUM CHA D2 Seven 931,000 267,000 287,000 198,000 93,000 86,000
14 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 19: ADELAIDE VS RICHMOND Seven 838,000 141,000 389,000 99,000 194,000 15,000
15 A BACKSTAGE PASS TO CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Nine 826,000 209,000 242,000 155,000 114,000 107,000
16 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Ten 818,000 234,000 277,000 160,000 72,000 75,000
19 PERFECT DAY: THE WEDDING ABC1 724,000 227,000 215,000 108,000 77,000 97,000
20 DOCTOR WHO: CONFIDENTIAL CUTDOWN ABC1 721,000 213,000 189,000 133,000 77,000 109,000
21 BEIJING 2008: WOMENS CYCLING ROAD RACE SBS 677,000 229,000 220,000 141,000 49,000 38,000
26 STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH RPT Ten 492,000 121,000 164,000 83,000 64,000 59,000
27 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 424,000 282,000 142,000
34 CANAL ROAD Nine 259,000 64,000 81,000 39,000 31,000 44,000
42 WWE AFTERBURN Nine 200,000 74,000 44,000 51,000 25,000 7,000
57 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 19: WEST COAST VS ESSENDON Seven 145,000 145,000
68 THE CITY TO SURF 2008 Ten 120,000 58,000 31,000 15,000 6,000 10,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, week ending August 9
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 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 2,218,000 683,000 621,000 448,000 187,000 280,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,214,000 719,000 553,000 476,000 201,000 265,000
4 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,747,000 502,000 507,000 354,000 172,000 211,000
5 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 FRINGE Network 7 1,717,000 541,000 494,000 330,000 166,000 187,000
6 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Network 9 1,698,000 549,000 534,000 288,000 181,000 146,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN Network 9 1,660,000 473,000 437,000 351,000 201,000 200,000
8 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 1,606,000 359,000 447,000 390,000 143,000 267,000
9 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,580,000 480,000 378,000 324,000 171,000 227,000
10 THE ONE - AUSTRALIA'S MOST GIFTED PSYCHIC Network 7 1,556,000 447,000 404,000 344,000 138,000 224,000
11 HOLE IN THE WALL Network 9 1,545,000 440,000 417,000 308,000 188,000 191,000
12 BORDER SECURITY (R) Network 7 1,489,000 417,000 371,000 306,000 155,000 240,000
13 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,478,000 345,000 517,000 329,000 187,000 99,000
14 THE FORCE - BEHIND THE LINE (R) Network 7 1,469,000 418,000 398,000 276,000 149,000 228,000
15 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,402,000 426,000 348,000 258,000 158,000 212,000
16 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,378,000 423,000 390,000 266,000 136,000 163,000
17 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Network 7 1,377,000 393,000 397,000 263,000 145,000 179,000
18 CITY HOMICIDE (R) Network 7 1,367,000 391,000 417,000 249,000 126,000 183,000
19 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,355,000 429,000 326,000 262,000 145,000 193,000
20 ANIMAL EMERGENCY Network 9 1,354,000 348,000 390,000 294,000 172,000 150,000
21 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,320,000 381,000 370,000 272,000 158,000 140,000
22 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Network 7 1,318,000 387,000 375,000 222,000 145,000 189,000
23 WIPEOUT -RPT Network 9 1,300,000 386,000 398,000 191,000 172,000 153,000
24 ALL SAINTS Network 7 1,291,000 367,000 388,000 241,000 139,000 155,000
25 TWO AND A HALF MEN -TUE Network 9 1,270,000 356,000 410,000 210,000 137,000 157,000
26 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,234,000 306,000 396,000 261,000 143,000 127,000
27 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,232,000 331,000 381,000 259,000 148,000 113,000
28 FOYLE'S WAR Network ABC1 1,215,000 382,000 331,000 217,000 139,000 146,000
29 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,205,000 362,000 346,000 241,000 128,000 129,000
30 GETAWAY Network 9 1,200,000 362,000 332,000 217,000 165,000 123,000
31 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL - THE FINAL 14 Network 7 1,182,000 405,000 306,000 219,000 98,000 154,000
32 ABC NEWS-SU Network ABC1 1,182,000 311,000 379,000 223,000 122,000 147,000
33 CRIMINAL MINDS - MON (R) Network 7 1,173,000 343,000 375,000 182,000 125,000 147,000
34 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S LIFE OF MAMMALS Network 9 1,160,000 316,000 345,000 216,000 146,000 136,000
35 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,153,000 324,000 367,000 206,000 110,000 146,000
36 THE NEW INVENTORS Network ABC1 1,152,000 331,000 339,000 219,000 140,000 122,000
37 M-TOUCHING THE VOID (R) Network 7 1,149,000 322,000 359,000 135,000 126,000 205,000
38 COLD CASE Network 9 1,126,000 297,000 375,000 186,000 136,000 132,000
39 NCIS EP 2 RPT Network TEN 1,112,000 284,000 348,000 177,000 150,000 153,000
40 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Network 9 1,108,000 306,000 338,000 204,000 139,000 122,000
41 ROVE Network TEN 1,094,000 327,000 332,000 200,000 107,000 129,000
42 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Network TEN 1,085,000 327,000 346,000 172,000 131,000 109,000
43 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D1 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,071,000 353,000 333,000 177,000 108,000 101,000
44 DOCTOR WHO Network ABC1 1,061,000 360,000 251,000 231,000 102,000 116,000
45 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Network TEN 1,045,000 292,000 348,000 182,000 90,000 133,000
46 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL - WED Network 7 1,044,000 358,000 269,000 198,000 80,000 139,000
(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

According to every TV journalist in the world, you must have your Olympic audience stats confused TM! If every one of those overwrought stories is correct, FOUR BILLION PEOPLE watched the Opening Ceremony. That would mean every person in Australia was tuned in. Why is it that every time there's a major sporting event televised internationally, TV pundits roll out impossibly high viewing numbers like this?? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that a POTENTIAL audience of four billion watched it? Surely that figure represents the entire population of Planet Earth who owns a TV or is close enough to watch one. It's like saying that 20million people watch Mornings With Kerrie-Anne (God forbid) each day. I think the media has an unhealthy obsession with BIG NUMBERS.
While we're on the Olympics topic, can someone please inject the entire Seven commentary team with some adrenaline or something? Their calls of everything from volleyball to rowing have as much excitement as a sleeping turtle.

by NK on August 11, 2008 at 08:53 AM

NK wrote: "Why is it that every time there's a major sporting event televised internationally, TV pundits roll out impossibly high viewing numbers like this?? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that a POTENTIAL audience of four billion watched it? Surely that figure represents the entire population of Planet Earth who owns a TV or is close enough to watch one."
That is one of my pet peeves. Quite apart from including the entire population of the earth they are ignoring the fact that many of those in poverty across the third world could not even access a TV to watch should they actually be interested. My favourite was the 6 billion that were supposed to watch the soccer World Cup according to an overheated reporter in the lead up to the last event.
TM the Sun Herald was talking about 8 million watching - "Almost 8 million people across Australia watched at least part" to quote them. Is that the 4.4 million in Channel 7's fevered imagination or did Oztam say something like that and revise it down?

Tribal Mind replies: That 8 million would be the number in the mainland capitals who switched on the Opening Ceremony at some point. Channel Seven used OzTAM figures to estimate how many people across the entire country switched to Beijing at some point during either Friday or Saturday.

by Cat on August 11, 2008 at 09:15 AM

NK, sounds ilke you'd wanna dose of CCTV Olympics coverage. They have four channels showing the Olympics sports (no exaggeration), and the Chinese commentators on them sound really excited lol. Even though I disagree with their government on many issues, I can't fault their CCTV coverage as opposed to Aussie FTA coverage.

by arthur on August 11, 2008 at 09:22 AM

TM,
How did "Doctor Who Confidential Cutdown" and "Perfect Day:The Wedding" go against the Olympics monolith? I am interested in how the ABC is faring for the non-sporties!
thanks,
Adam.

Tribal Mind replies: I already put in Dr Who to answer that question. But OK, I'll include the doctor's appendix in the chart as well.

by Adam on August 11, 2008 at 09:29 AM

"sounds ilke you'd wanna dose of CCTV Olympics coverage. They have four channels showing the Olympics sports (no exaggeration), and the Chinese commentators on them sound really excited lol.
by arthur on August 11, 2008 at 09:22 AM"

Hmmm...maybe it's a language thing - I order Mongolian lamb down at the local Chinese takeaway and the guys in the kitchen sound hyperactively enthused just chatting about that.

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

by rt on August 06, 2008 at 05:29 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."

rt for your info The Simpsons on Tuesday DID rate over a million. 7:30pm episode rated 1.012m and the 8:00pm episode rated 1.026m. Hope this info answers your question.
Source: OzTAM

by Simone on August 11, 2008 at 10:04 AM

CCTV commentators might be excited but it seems the spectators are anything but. Lacklustre crowds has really killed a lot of the (visible) atmosphere.
The commentary for the opening was risible. As was this morning's pre-Olympic chat with Channel 7 "stars" (pre-11am show). Woeful and excruciating.
Channel 7 showing AFL yesterday afternoon was pointless. We needed to see that in Sydney did we? And how much Olympic live action did we miss?
Actually - how much live sport is channel 7 showing? Strikes me that they're not. We seem to be looking at what was, rather than what is!! Not happy @ all.
Thank goodness for SBS - who even delighted us by pushing back the news in favour of staying with the excellent women's road race last night.
I too am sick of people quoting stupid numbers for viewership. Impossible for that number of people to watch so don't bother insulting everyone's intelligence with absurd statistics. And given that the US didn't see it (the opening) until 12 hours later anyway.....
OK - something like 6.5+ billion in the world. Majority live in poverty. A lot of people couldn't care less about sport or the Opening ceremony of anything! Time zones tend to knock out lots of potential viewers as they have a bit of kip so they can go back to work in their cola mine or rice paddy the following morning. Are we that insular and stupid that we have to believe that 4 billion people would watch??

by David @ Wahroonga on August 11, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Why are Mel and Kochie back from Beijing hosting Sunrise in Sydney... dont tv breakfast shows normally wait till after the Olympics to come back and return hosting from home????

by dave on August 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM

I guess I'm one of the 12 million + Aussies that didn't watch anything Olympic......at the moment, I'm recording ABC daytime selection (from 11am-3pm) to watch at night......interspersed with regular DVD programming of West Wing, Buffy, The Gilmore Girls, Midsomer Murders & Doc Martin. Hmmmm, guess I'm just part of the ostrich demographic that's sticking their heads in the stand hoping all things BOG will go like lightning off our screens.

by AJ on August 11, 2008 at 12:52 PM

What do you reckon the USA-China mens basketball rated? (the Chinese love basketball) Combined US-China alone maybe 200 million - 10% of pop for a regular high rating program.

by canoli on August 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM

Regrading Olympics V AFL. People didnt miss anything yesterday between 3-5.45pm. Michael Diamond was the only Australian highlight that you may have missed live but would have seen in the 15 minutes going into 7 news last night. The Diamond highlights were less than 30 minutes old and he didnt win a medal. So people complaining about the AFL on 7 only needed to turn to SBS to get an Olympic fix and the only Aussies in action at the time were in the Womens road race. However next weekend 7 needs to make use of its SD and HD channels, have the footy on SD and Olympics on HD would be a good move. AFL is our national sport and definitely should stay in that timeslot.

by Ryano on August 11, 2008 at 12:58 PM

"People didnt miss anything yesterday between 3-5.45pm." - Ryano 11/8 12.58pm.
Actually you did miss the women's synchronised diving final (which I saw on CCTV1). An Aussie pair was in the last 8, started second but faded for fifth. The Chinese were hot favourites and won.

by arthur on August 11, 2008 at 01:12 PM

Well you got me there arthur, I�m surprised you can access this site from China?.
7 must use its HD channel during AFL for Olympics. The public at least deserve that.

by Ryano on August 11, 2008 at 01:44 PM

Reports of 393 million Chinese viewers (in 14 markets) for the Opening Ceremony - http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/what-the-world-is-saying-today-neatness-counts/#more-452
Also, the US official uniform was designed by Ralph Lauren albeit with a fat RL Polo trademark.

by canoli on August 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM

Gawd the AFL is our national Sport Ryano, its Cricket is,NSW and QLD just don't care about AFL despite the constant stream of propganda from AFL house
Its a bit like like the 150th all AFL spin and BS

by John Ryan on August 11, 2008 at 05:51 PM

I watched the Opening Ceremony (the whole thing) and was suitably impressed. Favourite moment was when Sonia Kruger & Rick Birch's coverage was momentarily lost due to technical problems. Unfortunately they solved the problem & recovered.
In hindsight I feel really uncomfortable about seeing Vladamir Putin smiling for the camera & waving at the Russian team. I assume that when the camera wasn't on him he was on the phone whispering "Kill ze Georgian bastards, crush zem like bugs".
But let's pretend everything's fine. Let's not be negative. Patriotism trumps human rights every time. The Chinese are so cute, and friendly! Helpful to a fault. Guiding people to toilets & water fountains and looking over their shoulders for tanks and plain-clothes security. It's a delightful time.
Im reading a good book. If you turn the TV off you can hear crickets at night.

by darren on August 12, 2008 at 05:57 AM

Well, I must be the only person in the world who didnt see the Opening Ceremony. I have not seen anything of BOG except for the bits on the news. That is more than enough for me. And even I, who is not interested, cannot fathom why 7 would interrupt it's coverage for AFL. I would have thought BOG would have precedence over a Sunday arvo footy match.
Also caught Media Watch last night. I think 7 has some questions to answer in regards to the non showing of Getup's Tibet ad that was supposed to be shown prior to and following the opening ceremony. Seems Getup paid for the ad and it wasnt shown. 7 has yet to give a good explanation at to why. Freedom of speech? Not on 7!

by em on August 12, 2008 at 07:17 AM

So Ryano reckons AFL is so important that the olympics coverage should be suspended when it is on. Give me a break, in Sydney and Brisbane AFL often struggles to get TV ratings of 10,000. I think most people would rather watch the olympics.

by bobmar28 on August 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM

re: Ryano Aug 11, 1.44pm
I'm from Sydney mate, but went to a friends' house to see CCTV on satellite TV.

by arthur on August 12, 2008 at 07:50 AM

Thanks for Channel 10 for showing new second season eps of Burn Notice last night. It was a really good break from sports. I've been holding off downloading it hoping 10 would broadcast them ... and they did.
I just hope they don't mess around with this show after the Olympics. Otherwise I'll have to watch it on my computer.

by merciless on August 12, 2008 at 08:53 AM

With HD and multi channel Television, CH 7 promised so much but have delivered so very little.
The CH 7 personalities are not more important than the events. At least SBS is making an effort..
"One World, One Dream, One Chanel" soon ... One Viewer.

by Algenon on August 12, 2008 at 12:22 PM

Hey, em, I didn't watch the opening extravaganza either - watched Poirot and then switched over to 7 and saw about 5 mins worth - some contemporary dancers rolling about on a big bit of paper and drawing doodles.
Re the news coverage - I switched on TV on Sat evening and saw something olympicy then the broadcast was interrupted with 7's news .... so what happened? Straight back to Beijing and more limpic stuff for 15 mins, then a million adverts, then the story about Georgia and Russia, more adverts, then sport - I changed channels in disgust.
Darren, are you sure you are hearing crickets? I reckon you have tinnitus caused by the constant grinding of your teeth from subjecting yourself to crap on TV.

by Shoopie on August 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM

Being at home sick means I have been tortured with the daytime television experience. The Channel 7 hosting team, particularly the Yum Cha team, is even more nausea inducing the the stomach virus I seem to have caught. Sonia Krueger in particular is just a pointless addition - is she there to make whichever Daddo it is look smart? Because i'm honestly seeing no other point to her existence there.
As to the bet as to which show will first beat the Olympics - the other channels are putting up so little a fight, I just can't see it happening. We're now on dvds every night, due to lack of other programming.

by Beckala on August 12, 2008 at 03:38 PM

7 & Olympics do not work.They are a low class broadcaster only interested in being crass.Sonia Kruger is a very poor presenter , probably coached by Mel & Kochie.The Opening Ceremony was the worst telecast i have seen ! No sense of occassion just inane comments & poor tv pictures .

by doug on August 12, 2008 at 09:45 PM

Shoopie, I also watched a few minutes of 'Yum Cha' on Sunday so you may have a point about the tinnitus. Can you still hear crickets when you're asleep?
My problem with 'Yum Cha' is the same old problem I have with Seven's everything. They think their viewers are morons (if they're trying to attract the 1.4 million who watched 'Hole in the Wall' last week they may be correct) and everything they do & say is dumbed down to reflect that opinion. 'Yum Cha' means 'drink tea' (if Wikipedia is to be believed). Why are they doing a talk-show called 'Drink Tea'? Because they think people are too dumb to know that it's not just a generic cute Chinesey name. Why not call it 'Deng Xiao Ping' or 'Lemon Chicken'?
Then there's the set decorated like the Chinese restaurant at the local Bowling club. Dumb viewers will know that every room in China is decorated in red & gold with dragons painted on every surface.
Then there's the way they 'interview' Chinese people as if they're oddities in a side-shoe or cute but feeble-minded children. I'm just waiting for an interview to start with Daddo saying to some old lady "How you rikey big game? You rike?"
How about just treating everyone like grown-ups with brains instead of like 'Sunrise' viewers?

by darren on August 13, 2008 at 05:59 AM

Re the Opening Ceremony I fell asleep after the first half an hour. It was boring. And I agree with Darren that the best part about it was when they lost the commentary team. Had to laugh when you could hear what was obviously the technical team discussing it in the back ground. Very poor coverage.

As for the rest of the sports, I kinda like the Olympics only because you see sports that you normally wouldn't and I like to see the underdogs get up and win.

I will be glad when it is all over and "quality" broadcasting resumes.

by Nic on August 13, 2008 at 07:12 AM

Channel 7 are the kings of broadcasting sporting events "live" (followed closely by Nein at Wimbledon time).

If you really want to hear what's going on, most of Sydney should be able to pick up ABC stations like ABC Illawarra, where there is no sign of obnoxious.

Myself? Mercifully went to bed early last night with sinus, so missed the lot.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 13, 2008 at 07:55 AM

god u aussies sure are whingers....youre olympic coverage is excellent. At least you get commentators with a bit of personality....the english ones put you to sleep as for the american ones...well I saw athens in america and you would have thought the USA was the only country competing.

by josh on August 13, 2008 at 09:11 AM

I think Seven's 'live' coverage has been quite good; however I am concerned the way some events have been treated. The delayed and 'highlights' coverage of both the Hockeyroos has been very disappointing. I realise that some events clash at the same time but to wait for hours to see edited highlights is pathetic.
SBS coverage of the cycling on the weekend was very good but they did seem to take some inopportune moments to break for their sponsors. At one time I flicked back to Seven and they were showing the cycling live while SBS were advertising one of their new locally made shows that looks like a mutant hybrid of The Wedge & Monster House. Can't wait for that one (not).
With the other networks playing dead at the moment, I can't see anything beating BOG this week, although Specks & Specks should do well tonight. When the swimming finishes and Australia's gold medal hopes diminish, next week may see an upset, albeit unlikely.
Meanwhile, I am looking forward to the new series of The Shield and Dexter, which start next month in the US. Thankfully (networks take note, what ever happened to Fast-track??), I will see these shows this year thanks to the wonderful world of torrents.
Oh, am still waiting for Bruce McAvaney to say "Oh gee, what a performance".

by Sacs on August 13, 2008 at 10:09 AM

The answer to the question (what show will be the first to beat the Olys) is: None because Olympics Primetime / Fringe will always rate over 1.8m. (Yes I know that in the last week there is no swimming - which the Aussies have the best medal hopes). 60 Minutes gets 1.8m but Olympics ratings on the weekends are higher so that won't count.

by arthur on August 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM

I caught the opening bits of the opening ceremony (had better things to do - like sleep - than catch the whole *four* hours, has the world gone mad??). The coverage was poor (badly filmed, inane commentary, poor sound), the goose-stepping soldiers slightly scary. Still, you could tell it was a rather magnificent spectacle that we were getting glimpses of. Even if a rather slow spectacle.
Have seen bits of the 'limpics in passing, but I'm not a sporting person so haven't really stayed watching.
Forgot about Grand Designs last night. Finally on at a time I could make, and I was off at a P&C meeting. Most unfair.
Ms Skerrick, I hope you start feeling better soon! Sounds like you've been through the wars.

by tqd on August 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Perhaps the only thing that could beat the limpics would be a decider in State of Origin or biffo grand finals or even a royal wedding/funeral. Not that I would watch...

Loved Grumpy Old Women last night!

Ye gods, what is happening over at Nein? Two episodes of 2.5 Fools and Dog The Bounty Hunter???? Is that the best they can do...surely work experience week is over.

by Shoopie on August 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Hey josh. Your spelling and grammar is as good as the Olympics Coverage on Channel 7. There. Now I feel better.

In better news my recliners are now the right way up.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM

TM, two quick ratings questions:
1. Could you possibly post Sunrise ratings during the Olympics? It will be interesting to see how much of a boost the Olympics are giving it and then how many of those extra viewers hang around in the long term.
2. I stumbled upon the atrocious Monster House last night, showing that Nine really are cleaning out the closet during the Olympics. How many people bothered to watch it? Thanks in advance.

Tribal Mind replies: 1. Yes, from this morning on, and Yum Cha with it. 2. Monster House total across the mainland capitals: 267,000.

by Samuel on August 13, 2008 at 12:49 PM

As a Sydney resident, I can pick up the ABC Local Radio's Olympic coverage at 738 AM. And why the hell didn't anyone tell me that DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER was on?

by canoli on August 13, 2008 at 03:58 PM

Egad (or Gadzooks)! Aus Idol is getting closer. Not sure when it starts because they're only mentioning the date twenty times per ad & only running the ads twenty times per hour. Saw the new (hip happenin' black & white) promo last night with Kyle wearing headphones & pretending to have fun mucking around with Marcia & Dicko. I think that's the cue for the 'Everyone Hates Kyle' club to reconvene.
An article in the paper this morning about Fat Kyle calling contestants fat. I think they put one or two fatties through just so they have a potentially 'controversial' incident to fall back on if (when) ratings slide. Call me cynical.
While we're (almost) on the subject, if Aus Idol is going to get all desperate this season & try to get Beyonce or some other 'bootylicious' import to come over and look embarrassed (a la Pammy on BB08) while trying to avoid the Kyle-grope /salacious-stare-down-the-cleavage routine, how about trying the same thing with SYTYCD Aus, and get Cat Deeley over to take Nat Bat's place? She's lovely to watch on the US version currently showing. Or at least she could come over & try to teach Nat how to smile & talk & stand & walk & dress & live without hair extensions. Worth considering.

by darren on August 14, 2008 at 08:42 AM

Hey fellow bloggers - have been on hols and still travelling but managed to get internet access for a millisecond - hope all is well in TV land !!!
Read this morning that shock horror - endemol productions - who produce AUSTRALIAN IDOL wanted to sack the entire judging panel on this doomed reality series and replace them with a fresh lot -seems NETWORK TEN overruled and only let the inarticulate and overhyped MARK HOLDEN go - wouldn't it have been a juicy bit of irony for SANDILANDS to have been dumped from IDOL and booted from BIG BROTHER all in the one year - would have given him more time to shield the media from his upcoming nuptials to the ex popstar he recently shacked up with -apparently VILES wedding will make the PETER ANDRE/JORDAN wedding seem conservative - there's talk of nine bridesmaids and over the top entertainment - and apparently MEDIA NOT INVITED - as if anyone would be remotely interested!
On a slightly different note - shame to hear that PAUL MERCURIO has been dumped from DWTS - odd decision given TODD MCKENNEY'S bad press of late - apparently MERCURIO was too boring. I say bring back BERNARD KING - even from the grave he would have ANY contestant shaking in their booty boots!!

by GJ on August 14, 2008 at 10:23 AM

TM, in your chart for this week, it says Olympics: Fringe. What part of the day is 'Fringe'? Thanks

Tribal Mind asks: Anybody want to attempt an answer? I suspect it is not as entertaining as the Edinburgh Festival fringe, which always gives opportunities to Australian comedians.

by Jimbo on August 14, 2008 at 10:32 AM

I sacrificed 7.30 Report last night to watch SYTYCD -who knows why as I'm still suffering aural damage from Mary's screeching and optic burns from her whiter than white fangs. How can one woman have so many teeth and still be able to close her mouth - well, she can't can she? I haven't seen or heard any evidence of her shutting her mouth. Anyhoo, back to the dancing - I gave up at 7.55 after watching only 1 couple dance!!! Half an hour for each couple??? I'm not that keen and the Y Front needed to watch New Inventors... Agree with darren, Cat Deeley is great.
TM, does anyone watch Scrapheap Challenge on ABC2? It is definitely must-see viewing.

Tribal Mind replies: Scrapheap Challenge does not appear in the top 120 shows of any day.

by Shoopie on August 14, 2008 at 11:21 AM

GJ: I read somewhere that Vyle is opening some kitsch boutique somewhere on the lower North Shore with his Mother-In-Law managing it. Ugh.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM

FRINGE is 5pm-6pm

by arthur on August 14, 2008 at 12:58 PM

I also heard that producers of Idol want new Judges next year. And also want to get rid of Andrew G. Why let him go instead of the Bug Eyed Guy whose name always escapes me. I find BEG very annoying and want to spray him with something. Wish he would blink occassionally. But I dont mind Andrew G. I could never figure out why they need 2 hosts anyway when American Idol only have one. I do think it's a bit tough to sack all the panel, of course get rid of Vyle, but I dont mind Marcia and Dicko. I mean, who would they replace them with?
Really, Idol like BB has seen better days and should just be sent off to the great TV graveyard in the sky where it belongs. I would predict that if ratings this year are as bad as BB was, Ten will dump it entirely.

by em on August 14, 2008 at 01:05 PM

OMG Watch Sunrise. The Olympics panel is Michael Klim and Jodie Henry. They are the exact younger version of Mel and Kochie. A bald man and a ditzy blonde. They even style Jodie's hair the same way.

by Daz on August 14, 2008 at 01:29 PM

Darren,
Channel 10 ( the raw sewerage network) are giving idol blanket coverage for the following reasons:
* They already suspect that idol is heading in the same direction as BB and using blanket advertising in a knee jerk reaction to (physcologically) head off any poor ratings initially expected
* Channel 10 are constantly outside of the top 40 in any programming, and possibly see this series as their only hope of getting back in the top 40
* Channel 10 may not have anybody else to advertise in these timeslots ......
* The last season of idol was woeful and pathetic, so if perception is reality(pardon the pun) then perhaps they can pursuade viewers to come back to the series.

by Randwick Geoff on August 14, 2008 at 01:33 PM

Randwick Geoff,
Yes, in some warped minds (i.e: Kyle's) this type of hammer-at-the-subconscious-til-it-bleeds advertising is supposed to have a beneficial result, but with me it just turns me off completely (if one could be further turned off). And the lovey-dovey Kyle-Marcia-Dicko ads just can't be taken seriously when at the same time Kyle's slagging off Marcia & Dicko in the press. Maybe they assume their demographic can't read and so will be protected from any shattering of the 'Idol World View'.
And in the 'can you feel it can you feel it can you f!*%%ing feel it ad, you can see all the stereotypes just waiting for their own personal 'dial-to-save' phone numbers. The chunky (not sure of the PC term these days....pleasantly plump....corpulent....ectomorphic....skinniness-challenged?) girl, the Matt Corby lookalike, the token persons-of-different-than-Anglo-appearance. It's all so endlessly predictable.....
I think I'll take my own advice & just put on a CD.

by darren on August 14, 2008 at 02:17 PM

Quoth Tribal Mind: Scrapheap Challenge does not appear in the top 120 shows of any day.
What a shame! I do enjoy it when I have a chance to sit down and watch it. (Rarely, but sometimes Mr Bear gets fascinated by it.)
Speaking of the young people in our house, Mr Bear's ears prick up at the very word "Olympics" and I'm sure he's watched more of it in the past week than I have all my life (no great effort required, it must be noted). He's quite fascinated by it all, but mainly by the Olympic rings logo on the watermark of Channel 7 coverage. Small children never cease to amuse me.
Although I am mightily PEEVED that he's finally discovered the Golden Arches through their marketing of the very cute Olympic mascots with their happy meals. Dammit, two weeks ago, he didn't even know what "McDonald's" meant, now he wants to go there! Over my dead body.

by tqd on August 14, 2008 at 02:36 PM

Was working from home today and caught one minute of Yum Cha. Rebecca Wilson as a host! That was enough for me. She is another person that has been promoted beyond her ability.
I know there have been many people knocking 7's coverage, but I think it is a little better than their previous efforts. You also have to remember they are a mass media channel and so have to program for the masses.
TM your question about what program would knock off the Olympics. I think if there is any chance it is in the second week and either Spicks and Specks or Doctor Who.

by Louise on August 14, 2008 at 03:33 PM

I see where Ugly Betty will be returning to 7 after the limpbits on a Thursday night at 9.30. Considering it started on a Sunday night in family viewing time and is basically a fluffy family hour, does anybody want to join the sweep on how long it lasts. I tip 3 weeks...

by ozinoz on August 14, 2008 at 03:47 PM

Darren, re: Politically correct Idol ad - I had that exact thought last night. While watching SYTYCD (still deaf from the screaming, I managed to keep going the whole episode, I think because i've been so sick, that dances in 5 minute chunks is about all my attention span is up to at the moment) and that damn Idol ad kept coming on. It was like the checklist of the PC Crowd - yep, there's a chubby Idol for Vyle to bag out (pot, kettle!!), there's the black girl Marcia can say "You go girlfrien" to, plus the obligatory asian/islander/new Dean Geyer... When you look at the whole crowd of singers, it is a lot more 'anglo saxon' looking than the chosen "highlighted" singers would lead you to expect. Oh dear god, I just don't think I have the energy for Idol this year!!

SO OVER THE OLYMPICS!!! It's forcing me on to Channel Nein!!

by Beckala on August 14, 2008 at 05:06 PM

what has happened to Anna Coren's nose ? I stare fascinated at the deepening groove above her right nostril .

by jane doe on August 14, 2008 at 06:40 PM

SO OVER THE OLYMPICS!!! It's forcing me on to Channel Nein!!
by Beckala on August 14, 2008 at 05:06 PM

Noooo, Beckala don't go there - you will be lost to us forever....
Can some fashionista tell me what the late night newsreader on 10 was wearing tonight? I know 10 are trying to be young and hip but do they really think that their targetted demographic actually watches the news??? Re the AI promo, yes, thank you, Channel .10. I am feeling it and it's called nausea...

by Shoopie on August 14, 2008 at 09:48 PM

Agree with other bloggers that the Olympic coverage has been woeful but not sure if Ch9 would have done any better, and in reading the international papers, each seem to be bagging the respective networks on their respective coverages. One HUGE advantage Ch7 had was HG & Roy, I've really missed them this year...

by Kate on August 14, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Kate,
HG & Roy are the best but I'm somehow glad they're not on Seven, even though Seven seems to have bought up a lot of extra talent you would expect better of (Hamish, Andy, what were you thinking? ....Possibly $$$$. Not that there's anything wrong with that).
If you want a dose of Roy & HG (without pictures), they're doing a segment on Triple J each day at 4:30 pm called 'The Golden Ring (Ling?) Show', and whaddaya know, they're making the Olympics entertaining & funny. Covering the sport that matters & some that doesn't (whether 'Small' Llllllleyton Hewitt is a good romantic prospect for newly single 'Golden Girl' Stephanie Rice etc..) and periodically ripping Seven's coverage to shreds. Well worth a listen.

by darren on August 15, 2008 at 05:59 AM

darren: thanks for the heads up about JJJ. Have they mentioned how good the Morris Twins would be at every sport because of their uncanny ability?

Who would you rather have commenating on the whitewater rafting: Roy & HG, or Tom "The Mole/Shirtless Chippie" Williams and Peter "Temptation Island" Colqhoun?

by Bereft Skerrick on August 15, 2008 at 10:20 AM

I have major issues with Yum Cha. The title, the panel, everything. I have no idea why Ch 7 didn't bring back Roy & HG. Yum Cha falls short of everything - and it looks like they actually put a lot of effort (and money) to make it *hem* "entertaining." Regarding coverage, I would like to see more of the unseen sporting events instead of repeats in the evening. Meanwhile, was anyone else scared when they first saw the Home & Away promo? I thought it was a completely new show, and then when I realised it was Home & Away, I just continually thought to myself, "This cannot be right." The island was my biggest concern.

by Kym on August 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM

"what has happened to Anna Coren's nose ? I stare fascinated at the deepening groove above her right nostril ."
by jane doe on August 14, 2008 at 06:40 PM

Ha, ha, yes it is something I noticed the first night she was in Beijing. Me and the wife now watch the first 20 seconds (that's all we can stand) of TT, just to check out Anna's nose. As Joe Schmo would say: what is going on? Not sure if it is the dodgy lighting casting a strange shadow on her hooter or after spending too much of her spare time doing laps of the media centre pool, she left her nose clip on for too long.

BTW, what braincell at Seven came up with idea of sending Anna Coren to Beijing to read an autocue for what I would estimate is about 5 minutes a day. Couldn't she have done the same thing from Martin Place??

Seems like she 'nose' how to sniff out a junket.

by Sacs on August 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM

Have been lurking this week instead of posting.. not seen too much of Olympics coverage to date but agree with all other comments about repetition. Came home last night around 10 (having seen the movie The Square) and still was shown the whole women's relay race where the "girls won the gold!!"
Seven's coverage average but I too have concerns about what Nein will do with the next one - at least this one has SBS as complementary broadcaster - Nein is likely to argue Foxtel for that so we can pay the privilege!
For those who want an alternative and have access to ABC2 I note they are showing Keating! live on Wednesday next at 8 pm - if you have not seen it I heartily endorse watching it - very very clever.

Tribal Mind asks: But what was The Square like?

by Cathy on August 15, 2008 at 01:15 PM

Bereft Skerrick,
sorry, you lost me at 'heads up'. Is that a sporting term?
Morris twins?
Whitewater rafting? (okay I'm joking, whitewater rafting is that thing with the dancing horses, right?).
Alls I know is, nobody puts quite the same guttural emphasis on the name 'Bogat' as HG. They've also been tossing up the possibility of Lauren Jackson going through with her pledge to 'kill someone' and are taking bets on who it might be. That sort of thing, you know, what 'Yum Cha' might talk about if it wasn't aimed at small children & animals.
As for Tom 'come-on-no-I'm-not-gonna-show-you-my-abs-oh-alright-since-you-insist' Williams, the less he says the better. From what I briefly saw the other day, he's almost out-flirting Sonia Kruger with Andrew Daddo. Blushing and simpering ("oh, Mr Daddo, you cheeky fellow").
The Chinese really need to tighten their border controls. 5000 years of repelling invaders & Mongols & Barbarians and developing a sophisticated culture and then Williams, Coren, Kruger, Daddo, Mel & Kochie just waltz right in & set up shop. Close the borders now. Please.

by darren on August 15, 2008 at 01:40 PM

TM, thank you for your clarification - though it wasn't neccesary - I myself was trying to clarify TWO AND A HALF MEN's ratings in its two timeslots. I appreciate all responses to my posts.
Anyway, here is some information on Seven's schedule for other readers (Post-Olympics):
BONES moves to Mondays at 9.30pm replacing CRIMINAL MINDS which is now on Wednesdays at 8.30pm only. PACKED TO THE RAFTERS will be on Tuesdays at 8.30pm followed by ALL SAINTS.
CRIME INVESTIGATION UNIT will be on Wednesdays at 7.30 followed by new MEDICAL EMERGENCY. ALAN SUGAR: THE APPRENTICE on 9.30 Wednesdays followed by BEYOND BOILING POINT (another Gordon Ramsay series) at 10.45 then THE UNIT at 11.15 then CAVEMEN.
MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL will air on Thursdays at 7.30. GHOST WHISPERER replaces BONES on Thursdays at 8.30pm. UGLY BETTY returns at 9.30 Thursday followed by the T&S UNDRESS THE NATION return at 10.30.
Meanwhile, PRIMEVAL returns to Nine with a brand new season after the Olympics.

Tribal Mind asks: Which clarification? Of whose comment? When?

by cpandilo on August 15, 2008 at 01:56 PM

by Kym on August 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Scary how they made a rather pedestrian show (in my opinion) look almost interesting ... well, apart from the sookie men.

Tribal Mind asks: Who did? What show?

by Shoopie on August 15, 2008 at 02:08 PM

TM in answer to your question about the Square - very good film - the friend I went with also liked it I would recommend it. My only problem is the lead male - David Roberts will always be the innocent copper from Phoenix!
And if TMers are interested in movies as an alternative to the Olympics - also endorse The Bank Job as worth a look. This weekend we are going to see "the Visit" Both Margaret and David gave it 4 out of 5

by Cathy on August 15, 2008 at 03:43 PM

Seen an ad for a show about truck drivers who drive across the ice, ad was for final show of the series so I guess it has been on for weeks...the ad emphasizes how dangerous their job is and that any moment could be their last, so this would make it literally car crash tv if indeed moments are the last... Why watch though, do you really want to see some one earning a living sink in icy water? If they don't crash, you've spent the show watching them sit in a truck cabin? Not a pointless job for the drivers, but pointless tv.
By the way, dreadful inaccurate TV on Ch 7, first Today Tonight had a piece on how Aussie products were doing so well in China, great except Vegemite and Arnotts Tim Tams haven't been Aussie owned brands for ages. Then in the intro for the Olympics, they posted the upcoming highlights for the evening... and twice had Grant Hackett swimming the 1200m ... know the guy is feeling under the weather but think he will still have to swim an extra 300m to qualify for the 1500m... tsk tsk tsk

by Kate on August 15, 2008 at 07:43 PM

Tribal Mind asks: Who did? What show?
Sorry to be so vague, TM, Kym and I are referring to the publicity department at 7 and their latest promos for Home and Away. Very melodramatic.

by Shoopie on August 15, 2008 at 09:25 PM

Dear Blonde Sports reporter on WIN TV, way to spoil the result after the end of the first half of the delayed telecast of the Dragons Broncos game.
Sure, I know the result already. I can't wait for ANOTHER 9:30pm replay, especially since Brisbane is getting the game live, and so should the Illawarra residing component of Dragons fans. If Ch Nein Brisbane can show the game live, why can't WIN? Ha, but that would be logic.
Anyhow, watching So You Think You Can Screech Like Mary Murphy, noticed the use of the dreadful Kiss Kiss song, sung by an ex-Neighbours bimbette. Mind, they gotr her name wrong! ha!
darren: let me translate. "heads up" = "thanks for letting me know". "Morris Twins" = the sons of Steve "Slippery" Morris, Dragons legend, whom Roy & HG mentioned often during their State of Origin coverage.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 15, 2008 at 09:26 PM

Do we knopw the ratings for the delayed 9:30 NRL game in Sydney and Brisbane?

Tribal Mind replies What you mean - "we"? What time was this program on, what day?

by John on August 16, 2008 at 05:56 PM

I just can't believe it - was visiting sport-insane friends for dinner and inadvertently watched 7's evening news and I use that term lightly. One of their "news" stories was some guff about some kids learning to swim so they could be like their swimming heroes, Stephanie, Libby, blah, blah, blah... In what way was this story news?? It was more suited to a filler on Sunrise than prime time news.
Managed to watch 3 couples dance last night before switching over to Collectors and thought the music was terrible ....

by Shoopie on August 16, 2008 at 09:42 PM

Shoopie, "the music was terrible". Maybe Gordon will chooses his favourite chiming clocks next time. Even Pink Floyd made music out of alarm clocks.
Watching any part of SYTYCD is tantamount to masochism and here I am feeding a small butcher bird in the full knowledge that I'll be swooped on within a few months.

Hasn't Ch10 given up hope of being rescued by Light Sabres, only 282,000 in late primetime. I make it the 15th repeat, I could mime all the way through Will miming become an Olympic Sport ? BTW Blue Harvest is under $20 at JB's, got one yesterday.

Les.

by Les on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 PM

by Les on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Actually I don't mind watching SYTYCD, having said that I watch it in "techno time" so I can skip over the bits I don't like. I prefer it to the other "talent" shows...

by Kate on August 17, 2008 at 01:21 PM

I know it is usually a line used for Ch 10 but really Channel 9 - you can't be serious! In the promos for new shows to be aired after the Olympics period, they are heavily promoting (& I mean heavily promoting as I have seen the ad more than a few times) the Doug Mulray video show that Kezza took off air during the first ep. Whether you agree or disagree with KP's action, he did have good instinct on what the viewing public wanted, something the current Ch9 has yet to convinced they possess... So hands up, who will actually watch this from beginning to end ?

by Kate on August 17, 2008 at 08:30 PM

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