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Utopia, Mad as Hell strong for ABC.

Ratings: ABC comedies win their hour of power. The Block is best in entertainment with Nine winning the night.

Australia’s love affair with all things Working Dog continued last night with the return of Utopia on ABC.

The government-inspired comedy drew 711,000 viewers which, together with Mad as Hell on 683,000, was a clear win for ABC across its hour.

ABC’s comedy was only beaten as top entertainment drawcard by The Block at 803,000 earlier. Nine’s reality show led two demos although The Bachelor on 653,000, owned the younger demo. Hard Quiz (641,000), The Celebrity Chase (603,000) and 7:30 (504,000) all followed in the early slots.

Nine network won Wednesday with 26.7% then Seven 25.9%, 10 19.7%, ABC 19.3% and SBS 8.4%.

Nine News (875,000 / 838,000) was best for Nine. A Current Affair drew 777,000 then Hot Seat (450,000 / 275,000) and movie: London Has Fallen (339,000).

Seven News was #1 with 1.03m / 1.01m for Seven. Home and Away was 651,000, The Chase was 594,000 / 380,000 and Cheat (258,000 / 200,000).

On 10 it was The Project  (440,000 / 262,000), My Life is Murder (382,000) and 10 News First (372,000). Celebrity Name Game was 214,000.

ABC News (682,000), Diary of an Uber Driver (330,000), QI (188,000) and The Drum (148,000) also comprised ABC’s night.

On SBS it was Untold Australia (229,000), Tony Robinson’s Coast to Coast (219,000), SBS World News (155,000) and Mastermind (81,000).

Peppa Pig on ABC KIDS led multichannels at 179,000.

Sunrise: 268,000
Today: 209,000
News Breakfast: 120,000 / 40,000

OzTAM Overnights: Wednesday 21 August 2019.

15 Responses

      1. Yes interesting that it a reader noticed two entries for the movie in the EPG with the different classifications and yet coded it as one by Nine for OZTAM. This reinforces the point that a consistent approach to ratings reports in line with the program advertised.
        Unless the News’ are advertised separately, then they should be one rating result. Similarly any Reality show or finale unless a separate show, should not have ‘Winner announced’ (I know it’s been going on for years, that is why it needs further regulating)

  1. The 400,000 people who switched off after ‘Utopia’ missed out on a great episode of ‘Dairy of an Uber Driver’; the woman playing the passenger was sensational.

    1. Ep 1 of ‘Diary’ was interrupted by a phone call. I’ve yet to iview it, but I liked what I saw. Watched the whole of ep 2. The screenwriter in me is honestly hoping Julie’s a recurring character.

  2. The example which ASIC and the ATO settled on was tax avoidance (which is perfectly legal, as Kerry Packer once so famously explained). Tax evasion is illegal.
    Whilst not suggesting anything, one has to wonder why the shares of Ten Network Holdings were transferred to CBS Network Ten BV, a company registered in the Netherlands.

    1. Because the billionaire shareholders refused to renew the guarantee on the loan that was providing the funding for 10 to stay afloat. That forced the company into administration where all creditors (those owed money …. contractors and employees) were given more power then any shareholder and/or board member.

      When CBS offered to swap their debt for equity, the staff voted overwhelmingly in favour (something like 95%) and the motion was carried. CBS then acquired the company and can now do whatever they like with it.

      1. Not quite correct, but is the popular belief. CBS Corporation didn’t acquire TEN. Ten Network Holdings was transferred to CBS Network Ten BV, a company registered in the Netherlands. One still asks “why”? if not for tax minimisation purposes. CBS Corporation after all pulls the strings and is based in New York.

  3. I watched “Untold Stories” last night. Absolutely Fascinating. Last night’s episode should be made into a series about the funeral industry (or life in a certain funeral home).

  4. Utopia is a perfect advocate for tax evasion. Abbie on The Bach looked irresistible last night…and for the first time in many months we actually watched fta all evening

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