Top dollar for News lead

Reports today that Channel Nine has a lot riding on Million Dollar Wheel to aid its News bulletin come as no surprise.

“We’ve just lost our way a little bit over the past few years, and what we’re doing now is building the foundations for the next five years,” news director Ian Cook said.

Nine’s mantle in news and current affairs has been lost to Seven’s coverage, which attracts 100,000 more viewers in Sydney alone.

But while Seven does win the News battle nationally every weeknight the Sunday Telegraph’s suggestion that “this trend is being mirrored in other capital cities” is not the full picture. Nine News is strongest in Melbourne where it has won more weeks in 2008 than Seven, by a clear margin. 2007 was a tie.

Nine’s national figures are dragged down by the long-term poor performance in the Perth market.

Still, there is no doubting the importance of a strong lead-in and Seven has been sitting cosy with the contemporary format of Deal or No Deal, while Nine has been more old-fashioned with Bert’s Family Feud and Antiques Roadshow (now pretty competitive with Deal).

David Gyngell told The Sunday Telegraph he was comfortable with the network’s positioning.

“We’ve had a good start to the year, and I’m pleased with where we are, but there’s a long way to go,” he said.

“We are investing in television content and taking chances.

“We will continue to create strong Australian drama and produce great television for our viewers.

“No doubt there will be things that won’t work, but we’re going to continue to back ourselves and give it a go.”

New Wheel host Tim Campbell said, “It’s a key slot, I certainly understand that and how it leads into the news.

“I’ll do my bit and they can look after the numbers, and we’ll be a happy team.”

Source: Sunday Telegraph