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New, local content wins Seven week

New and local programmes continue to shine for Seven, while TEN and Nine get a rude lesson in the perils of too many repeats.

It was the week the “Prince of Darkness” descended upon Nine, the Imparja takeover of NTD9 inched closer, Seven lost an appeal relating to a children’s court case and lost a packet in the financial freefall, TEN signalled the return of boxing only to have its promoter caught up in a drug arrest, two networks fight over the contracts of one presenter, ACMA cancelled a community broadcasting license while a leak led to a Federal Police raid, the Government introduced a bill to firm the switch to digital, TEN turned off the lights for Taken Out, an actor sues his old show for residuals, the PM declined (again) to tell Rove who he would “turn gay for,” a WIN newsreader resigned while the network bid a sad goodbye to another of its veterans, a golden Hollywood actor died and a period miniseries sweeps one of Emmy’s most disappointing shows.

And it was another win for Seven with 29.9% over Nine’s 27.1% and TEN’s 20.0%. The ABC had 17.8% and SBS 5.2%.

Top show for the week was the AFL Grand Final with 2.58m viewers –the biggest audience for the year outside the Olympic Games.

Aside from AFL wins, it was again Packed to the Rafters that packed them in with 1.94m viewers, ahead of Find My Family, RSPCA Animal Rescue, Border Security, City Homicide, Seven News, Today Tonight, Home and Away, Medical Emergency, Criminal Minds, Crash Investigation Unit, Better Homes and Gardens and All Saints. Less triumphant for Seven was its Sunday performance with Dancing with the Stars dropping to another low (1.11m), beaten by Australian Idol and 60 Minutes. A hastily-scheduled money special with David Koch attracted (1.17m) while The Outdoor Room dropped below the 1m mark (920,000). Also performing lightly are Make Me a Supermodel (927,000), Ghost Whisperer (910,000) and Private Practice (723,000). Given the formidable stable of Seven successes, it’s an enviable hit rate.

Nine must be scratching its head when it sees the biggest hit of the week was a repeat of Two and a Half Men. The 8pm Wednesday episode topped 1.54m viewers, and it wasn’t even slated into the schedule until Wednesday afternoon. It was supposed to air Hole in the Wall, but it was a decision that paid off. As a result Nine is adding more Charlie Sheen to its schedule (how long until we see a promo visit here by Sheen, Nine?). Other winners for Nine included 60 Minutes, Wipeout, Getaway, The Footy Show, A Current Affair and Nine News. The first NRL Preliminary did well in Sydney. But Monday was a flop for Nine –it has since dropped David Attenborough for more Charlie Sheen. Fringe and Ramsays Kitchen Nightmare failed to fire -has Nine over exposed Gordon Ramsay and will it do the same with Sheen? Despite not airing in Melbourne, The Strip is losing ground.

TEN had a week of mixed fortunes, kicking off well on Sunday and Monday but falling apart by Wednesday. Cyndi Lauper’s Australian Idol appearance helped it grab 1.34m viewers and a timeslot win. The Brownlow Medal was a big winner, especially in Melbourne. A repeat of Thank God You’re Here was its only other brand to pass the 1m mark. Of major concern to TEN was Wednesday when new shows including Bondi Rescue: Bali, Kenny’s World and a fasttracked House all underperformed -were viewers assuming it was a repeat? Rush is hanging on, likely to benefit from new NCIS this week. TEN finally bit the bullet on Taken Out, dropping it from schedule on Friday to be replaced by Simpsons repeats.

Spicks and Specks topped ABC’s week with 1.22m, just ahead of Midsomer Murder’s 1.21m. Doctor Who again shone with 1.15m. Elsewhere, ABC News, Four Corners, The 7.30 Report, Australian Story, The Hollowmen, Catalyst and The Bill all did well.

Top Gear’s 939,000 for old episodes indicates SBS is about to fire a volley with Top Gear Australia this week.

Week 39

8 Responses

  1. The current amount of repeats is what I expect of pay tv, not FTA… common channel nine and ten! this is what you should be airing on your second SD channels next year!!!

  2. Dave i think your wrong with top gear australia, the first show will be a hit with curious fans of the uk cersion but unless its as good or better it’ll find itself plummeting in the ratings… any word on wether the uk version is coming back anytime soon?

  3. “Winners” in these reports don’t necessarily refer to timeslot wins so much as shows that were some of the best performing on the network. You can see daily ratings and check the Top100 (added each Monday) to see how they stacked up in specific timeslots.

    Presidential Debate: ABC = 129,000 / SBS = 57,000.

  4. One would love to know from those “small group of folks” with Oztam ratings, why they watch particular programmes.

    Like a few on here, I am fed up with Multiple repeats -I turn off the Simpsons and 2 and a half men repeats..

    Love the “new/current 2 and 1/2 men.

    Nine has really dropped the ball on Mon and Tues.
    Will be interesting to see way they go on Thursday post Footy shows.

    Ten just got mix of shows wrong on a few nights – Maybe trying to cater to too many different audiences.

    Seven keeps it simple.
    Monday is border security/the force follwed by Crime – City Homicide/Bones.
    Tues is family viewing night – RSpca/find family then Packed Rafters/all saints.

    Be interested to see how Top Gear Australia goes Mon at 7.30 – will it be hit or miss

  5. Love these ratings reports but one quibble – are ACA and Nine News really winners for Nine? Unless you count Nine News Sunday which usually wins, but otherwise – they’re losing their slots, but ACA occasionally wins 25-54’s nationally.

  6. Would be interesting to see how close it is in the 18-49 or 25-54 demos Nine could still possibly win this year. Give credit to Seven though they certainly know what that 50+ demo wants.

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