It was the week 10 promoted as being ‘Unmissable’ but ended up generating headlines for all the wrong reasons.
10 had hoped a week of premiere reality programming would inspire a strong ratings resurgence however, by the end of the week it was only just in front of the ABC (data below).
Seven took the honour of nb1 network in week 33, boosted by consistent programming and strong performances from multi-channels including 7mate.
Nine also had success, winning the week based on primary channel figures.
The conclusion of Australian Ninja Warrior was the major highlight with Sunday’s episode reaching an average national audience of 1.473m (1.098m metro).
Monday’s Grand Final which featured the ninja course finally being completed hit a national audience of 1.638m (1.199m metro).
The week started badly for 10 with Bachelor in Paradise limping to a Sunday night conclusion with 621k nationally (480k metro).
The premiere of The Masked Singer on Monday night was no match for the Ninja finale with ratings well down on last year.
The opening night reveal averaged 1.13 million viewers nationally (828,000 metro). Jackie O getting way too excited for cricketer Michael Bevan on Tuesday evening performed better with 1.32 million viewers nationally. (950,000 metro).
Wednesday night was far more concerning for 10 with the highly promoted return of The Bachelor premiering to an underwhelming 872,000 viewers nationally (681,000 metro).
Questions will be asked if it was such a good idea to launch The Bachelor so close to an underwhelming Bachelor in Paradise season, and at a time when Farmer Wants A Wife is performing so well for Seven.
Farmer Wants A Wife continues to be the highlight of Seven’s year so far. Sunday’s episode had a national audience of 1.325m (814k metro). Monday night’s episode dipped against the increased competition with a national audience of 1.111m (696k metro).
Weekly highlights at the ABC included Vera 1.030m nationally (696k metro), Australian Story 872k (623k), Anh’s Brush with Fame 986k (710k), Hard Quiz 1.036mil (733k) and Mad As Hell 872k (598k).
7NEWS was the top show nationally every night, with Monday-Friday at 6pm averaging 1.757m national/ 1.129m metro. 9News won the week in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Of course, it was the savage staff cuts within 10’s news division that dominated headlines last week. The axing of beloved presenters across the country shocked viewers. Across the week 10 News First at 5pm averaged 554,000 viewers nationally (401,000 metro).
Friday night’s AFL match was the top sport of the week, scoring an audience of 806k national (617k metro).
Sunrise continued its dominance at breakfast, winning every morning, with Monday-Friday averaging 482k national (277k metro). ABC News Breakfast finished in second place (averaged across two channels). For the 14th time this year, Today finished in third place.
Home and Away was the top Australian drama averaging 926k national (574k metro) Monday-Thursday.
Better Homes and Gardens was the top lifestyle show, with an audience of 890k national (538k metro). The Living Room had an audience of 536,000 viewers nationally (377,000 metro)
Weekly Network and Channel Shares – Week 33
Seven Network – 28.7%
- Seven – 18.9%
- 7TWO – 3.7%
- 7mate – 4.1%
- 7flix – 2.1%
Nine Network – 27.8%
- Nine – 19.6%
- 9Go – 2.4%
- 9Gem – 2.4%
- 9Life – 2.2%
- 9Rush – 1.2%
10 Network – 17.7%
- 10 – 11.6%
- 10Bold – 3.8%
- 10Peach – 2.2%
ABC Network – 17.3%
- ABC – 12.7%
- Kids/Comedy – 2.5%
- ABC Me 0.4%
- ABC News – 1.7%
SBS Network – 8.5%
- SBS – 5.0%
- Viceland – 1.%
- SBS Food – 0.9%
- NITV – 0.1%
- World Movies 1.0%
Previous Bachelor/BIP seasons were on 4 nights a week, but for whatever reason they decided to only do 2 nights with this season which wont hold anyone’s attention in the demos they need. The Masked Singer on the other hand is a show made for no particular demo as it doesn’t appeal to children, does not beat Bachelor for interest among young adults, and adults would likely only watch it if their children are interested. 10 has chosen to back the wrong horse here.
Hi N – all previous Bachelor/Bachelorette seasons have been 2 nights a week (Wed/Thu). That’s been the formula for 10. I agree that’s what it usually has been for BiP too, and the change this season (apart from it being a garbage fire show) didn’t help it.
I disagree the Masked Singer isn’t made for a particular demo. It has wide appeal and particularly is appealing to families. Sadly for 10 so does Ninja Warrior which it has been up against at least once a week. The Masked Singer was the break-out hit of 2019 however the figures, while strong, haven’t translated into 2020.
Masked Singer is a fams favourite show! Next to Bondi Rescue! Adults, kids teens
These shows have to many lead in promos that puts you off watching. So much so you feel you have seen the entire series before it starts. Not sure who runs the add programming at ten but try something different because the saturation of Batchelor and Masked missed by a county mile.