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Peter Meakin puts Wake Up on notice

“Any show that rates the way Wake Up does obviously does not have a long term future," says incoming TEN News boss.

2014-02-16_0025TEN’s incoming News boss has put new breakfast show Wake Up on notice.

Peter Meakin, who begins formally at TEN tomorrow, has told the Sunday Telegraph the show has to improve.

“Any show that rates the way Wake Up does obviously does not have a long term future and that’s just a fact,” Meakin, said.

“It’s looking at maybe another six months unless it starts to do a lot better.”

That’s despite TEN’s own CEO Hamish McLennan repeatedly saying the network was committed to it for the long haul.

Wake Up has been averaging numbers of 30,000 – 40,000 against Sunrise and Today over 300,000.

So far Wake Up has has an uncanny history reflecting its predecessor, Breakfast, which lost a presenter followed by its producer. Eventually it was axed even though the network said it was a long term project.

Meakin, 72, begins at TEN after his contract ‘gardening leave’ with Seven expires. He replaces Anthony Flannery who resigned earlier this month.

51 Responses

  1. I think they need to move Matt Doran to Wake Up.

    I also think since production and infrastructure costs are more expensive at the site in Manly as David has stated, they need to move back to the Network Ten Studios at Pyrmont. They can always have a live backdrop of some scenic view of Sydney.

    But they need to focus on other cities in Australia, that’s what Breakfast didn’t do, correct me if I am wrong. I don’t think they ever broadcasted outside of their studio. For example, Sunrise does broadcast from Melbourne, when the Melbourne Cup is on.
    So when the Grand Prix is in Melbourne, they should take that opportunity to broaden their viewers.
    They need to focus on the cities where the viewing numbers are low, and appeal to that region.

  2. Publicly announcing Wake Up as a failure will only hurt its chances of improving. Also, although Ten did have a good track record of sticking with shows (Masterchef, The Project, etc.), it seems that lately, “long term” commitment to shows at Ten is just lip service.

  3. “Knocking 7 and 9 off their perches is a tall order and I don’t see it happening in the short term but in the long term anything is possible.”
    Well, he did do it previously at TEN Sydney in the 70s with 6pm Eyewitness News with John Bailey, Eric Walters, Katrina Lee, Tim Webster, & co. Eventually 7 and 9 moved their News from 6:30 to 6.

  4. Wake up is certainly my choice of breakfast shows now they have fixed the local news presentation aspect .. The hosts are fine and disagree no chemistry. I really think there needs to be a third party rating review.I can’t believe ten are really doing that poorly

  5. Wake Up was a big investment, so in that regard I think they should stick with it for another year at least. Secondly, if Wake Up were axed Ten would have to go back to recycled content in the mornings, which would rate much worse.

  6. I think it’s a little early of a morning, mostly for me. Tarsh is wonderful, funny and gorgeous and I like James but I guess a change in male co host could improve ratings. Studio 10 is certainly entertaining, I like it. However it’s never going to be as popular with stay at home mums who are the majority of the audience as they don’t interact or connect with us as much as The Circle did. We felt like they were besties the way they read out emails, gave advice and were very compassionate. No cooking segment- big mistake! Studio 10 need more Australian talent as in Fashion, gardening, authors (book segment), cooking easy meals and so much more that was so interesting and had us glued to the TV. Robert please listen as this is what this program needs to attract more viewers. It needs more of The Circle material and I’d be certain numbers would improve.

  7. I don’t understand all the negative comments nor do I understand why Wake Up is not rating. I watch Wake Up and I tried to switch back to Sunrise on weekends but I can’t do it now. Sunrise now looks dark and feels as dull and boring like Today always was to me. I certainly hope Ten keeps Wake Up and that the ratings do increase.

  8. Wake Up just isn’t getting any better. The chemistry between all the presenters is still so strained that if it were a tea bag, it’d be bone dry. The show has failed to do what it set out to do, which was to provide a difference to Sunrise and Today. This, it most certainly has not done and unless it completely relaunches itself, it’s dead in the Manly water.

  9. I’m not going to deny, I like breakfast TV, but Wake Up is just not there. The actual content is just bad, every day even. Boring topics, or just not well thought out formats. It’s too serious to compete with Sunrise or Today, but not serious enough to compete with ABC News Breakfast, leaving it in a spot where it’s just not entertaining to watch.

  10. David, Firstly Wake Up is cheaper because this show was broadcasted from Bondi Beach. Secondly this show is smaller than Breakfast because it doesn’t have enough viewers.

    1. Wake Up is more expensive because it comes from Manly (not Bondi) -not less. The infrastructure costs are more expensive than filming in TEN’s Ultimo studio. Wake Up has the same coverage as Breakfast, Sunrise, Today for the figures that are quoted: 5 city metro. The fact it isn’t attracting good numbers does not mean the coverage is less, it means the audience is less.

  11. The show is just a very poor man’s Sunrise. There is no reason for viewers to make the switch. Looks like meakin is needed at ten to point out that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes.

    I remember in 2010 Vancouver gave Today a huge boost 100k up and sunrise panicked with competitions and giveaways. The universe was restored quickly after the games but interesting that Wake Up has barely seen any of that impact at all.

  12. 6-9 months is long term in tv land…

    @Ry……the main problem is overcrowded market place. Sunrise/Today are similar, ABC offers a point of difference, so there is not much point with Wake Up or Breakfast or any other similar show ch10 offers.

    Kids shows or teen shows would be their best bet….ie different to the others

  13. I was hoping Wake Up would be a success but it has been one big old hot mess since the beginning. I love the location but the hosts have just never clicked. Perhaps replacing James with Matt Doran would be a start. With all the behind the scenes drama, the show has really lacked direction. Hopefully that can be rectified & ratings improve. Meakin also pointed the finger at Studio10 in the interview. Hopefully they stick with this show because it’s superb, excellent talent & seamless presentation. Give it time to be discovered.

  14. The news is already gone, so it can’t be long before Wake Up follows.

    Shame really, their news was quite well presented and the weather in particular was very comprehensively reported. Why we’d want to watch American news is anyone’s guess.

  15. So much for Hamish Macleenon’s 2 year commitment to wake up – sounds like Peter Meakin’s the right person for the job – He’ll kick a few asses in ten, who’s ass should have been kicked years ago ……

  16. I still believe this show has potential. Tarsh Belling is a great co-host but have to agree with the majority that James Mathison does not fit… at all!

    He is awkward and makes me feel uncomfortable watching him! David, do you think James is the main reason behind the ratings?

    Surely Peter Meakin would make changes before swinging the axe. Like we have all said on here before, bring in Matt Doran!

  17. The answer to Ten’s woes is never going to be news – why switch to Ten to see a slightly different version of what you’re watching on a channel with shows you actually like?

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