Ratings Thread (Part 4)

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iaindb

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by square_eyes:
“I read in another thread on here though that the 5th audition show last year averaged 9.4m without a clash with SCD.

So, against that, last nights 9.3m is excellent.

Next week will be interesting, don't the Bootcamp episodes usually dip a bit ?”

I've checked the overnights for last year. The Saturday Bootcamp episode took 8.18m down from 9.29m the previous Saturday and the second lowest audience of the series. The 30th August episode did slightly worse with 8.15m.

The Sunday Bootcamp programme was the third lowest rated programme of the series with 8.93m. No other programme was below 9m.

Hmm. Makes next week's clash more interesting and I'm glad you pointed that out before I make my predictions in the ratings prediction game.

Chris1964

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“I think the issue is that before The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing always clashed, that people got used to it. Neither were as big as they are now (possibly because they were weakening each other), and when ITV moved The X Factor later, people got used to having the opportunity to watch their two programmes without any mucking about. The situation came about because BBC1 had no reason to move Strictly Come Dancing later to start the clash again (and many 'fantasy' schedules have been written to prove as such).

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OK rant over, and I shall never ever make a prediction again. Pizza (or anyone who predicted The X Factor would beat Strictly Come Dancing) - why did you think that, when Strictly had a 35 minute lead in, had it's results show on the same night and was the opening weekend of the programme. This against a show which has reached something like it's fifth week, has numerous repeats and whose audition format had been much derided. I'd understand if it dipped during the filler, but Strictly was lower throughout the clash. I'm astounded to be honest.

Elsewhere - great that The Cube held up in an earlier timeslot, but Merlin performed well as well, albeit lower than what it was getting last year, obviously hindered by the lower slot. Channel 4 did ok, better than it's previous Saturday's with Lord of the Rings dominating the schedule. Five struggled below 1m for most of the primetime.”

There are a number of possibilities I reckon.
1. Its become too big-too many contestants with a rising number that arguably people dont always care about.
2.Alesha-press coverage has been negative and the core audience dont like change. Not her fault but what she says is not backed up by any deep knowledge. Its awkward for the other three as they cant realistically argue with her like they did with Arlene. This is spotted by the audience and will I think lead to disaffection.
3.Phone votes-didnt seem to be more than 15 mins-this is too short-the numbers werent scrolled over the screen and I cant imagine there were all that many votes cast. The BBC I think is terrified of phone votes.
4.Decision-the wrong person went, and the wrong two were in the dance off-again the short period of phone voting time may produce peculiar results.
5.Press coverage-the press is all over BGT and X Factor and probably skew towards the younger element who tend towards the Cowell shows. Iv no doubt the press coverage of SCD will be negative and may well become a bandwaggon in the next weeks . The press are by and large not fans of the BBC.

At the end of the day it was just the second show and it takes time for the interest to buIld- I just think this year will be a difficult one for SCD.

iaindb

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“
Pizza (or anyone who predicted The X Factor would beat Strictly Come Dancing) - why did you think that, when Strictly had a 35 minute lead in, had it's results show on the same night and was the opening weekend of the programme. This against a show which has reached something like it's fifth week, has numerous repeats and whose audition format had been much derided. I'd understand if it dipped during the filler, but Strictly was lower throughout the clash. I'm astounded to be honest.
”

This leads to one heart-warming observation: that despite the internet and mobile phones and SkyPlus and video/DVD recorders and numerous repeat screenings, most people like to watch a televsion programme on the television at the time of its first transmission.

RobbieSykes123

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by iaindb:
“Far be it for me to criticise this forum's BBC Champion (being a mostly-BBC viewer myself) but Strictly and The X Factor both have exactly the same slot next Saturday as this”

Ah. I was going off the TV guide in my paper today - it said TXF was for 90 mins from 8 until 9.30 with SCD running 7.20 to 9. Perhaps it was updated after they went to press.

Originally Posted by Chris1964:
“I must work on my posts here-Robbie Sykes has quoted about 15 people but not me.”

I usually find we're singing from the same hymn sheet, Chris, so don't generally find anything to pick up on from your posts!

D.M.N.

20-09-2009

Not sure how it'll go down tonight with TXF - the breaks seemed longer than usual TBH.

Agent F

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Chris1964:
“It seems to have been passed over that X Factor had its lowest audience this year and lost a million viewers.”

Because everybody knew it would be dented by the clash - just common sense really. If that had happened without a clash then I'd see your point but, as it stands, I don't.

Fudd

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Chris1964:
“There are a number of possibilities I reckon.
1. Its become too big-too many contestants with a rising number that arguably people dont always care about.
2.Alesha-press coverage has been negative and the core audience dont like change. Not her fault but what she says is not backed up by any deep knowledge. Its awkward for the other three as they cant realistically argue with her like they did with Arlene. This is spotted by the audience and will I think lead to disaffection.
3.Phone votes-didnt seem to be more than 15 mins-this is too short-the numbers werent scrolled over the screen and I cant imagine there were all that many votes cast. The BBC I think is terrified of phone votes.
4.Decision-the wrong person went, and the wrong two were in the dance off-again the short period of phone voting time may produce peculiar results.
5.Press coverage-the press is all over BGT and X Factor and probably skew towards the younger element who tend towards the Cowell shows. Iv no doubt the press coverage of SCD will be negative and may well become a bandwaggon in the next weeks . The press are by and large not fans of the BBC.

At the end of the day it was just the second show and it takes time for the interest to buIld- I just think this year will be a difficult one for SCD.”

I thought Alesha would've introduced new viewers who were tuning in to see what the show'd be like with no Arlene. I guess Friday did that, and The X Factor seemed a more attractive proposition on Saturday night. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the press always been skewed towards The X Factor?

I agree, it's length and lack of voting time'd work against it. Plus we have Christopher Parker Mark III performing.

Originally Posted by iaindb:
“This leads to one heart-warming observation: that despite the internet and mobile phones and SkyPlus and video/DVD recorders and numerous repeat screenings, most people like to watch a televsion programme on the television at the time of its first transmission.”

Surely the same argument'd count for Strictly, yet The X Factor won through?

Originally Posted by RobbieSykes123:
“Ah. I was going off the TV guide in my paper today - it said TXF was for 90 mins from 8 until 9.30 with SCD running 7.20 to 9. Perhaps it was updated after they went to press.”

I have that in my TV guide too. I reckon it may be slightly extended as it's bootcamp stage.

Fudd

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“Not sure how it'll go down tonight with TXF - the breaks seemed longer than usual TBH.”

Yet they were far more entertaining than the programme itself. It was painful tonight - worse show of the lot IMO.

square_eyes

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“ Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the press always been skewed towards The X Factor? I agree, it's length and lack of voting time'd work against it. Plus we have Christopher Parker Mark III performing.”

The Daily Mail always appears to skew towards SCD, the amount of articles that feature in the paper about it.

Even despite their obvious loathing of the BBC.

Chris1964

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by RobbieSykes123:
“Ah. I was going off the TV guide in my paper today - it said TXF was for 90 mins from 8 until 9.30 with SCD running 7.20 to 9. Perhaps it was updated after they went to press.

I usually find we're singing from the same hymn sheet, Chris, so don't generally find anything to pick up on from your posts!”

Fair enough

C14E

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Brekkie:
“There is talk of demographics, but networks only really care about demographics when the overall figure isn't too good. Always used to make me laugh when ITV kept pointing out the high proportion of 16-34 year olds who watched Echo Beach, overlooking the fact that the lower rating meant there were less 16-34s watching than would watch a repeat of A Touch of Frost.”

Obviously if the ratings are as woefully low as those of Echo Beach, there is no hope. And it doesn't particularly matter what proportion of an audience falls into a certain demographic.

But the actual numbers of people in certain demographics do matter (at least in America) to advertisers far more than the overall audience.

For example, CBS procedural Without A Trace had considerably more viewers than CBS comedies like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Rules of Engagement (12-13m vs 7-9m). But the comedies had higher ratings among 18-49's and so they got new series and WAT was cancelled.

Agent F

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“I have that in my TV guide too. I reckon it may be slightly extended as it's bootcamp stage.”

The Sunday show is an epic 90 minutes long but the Saturday show remains at 75 minutes - and in fact the Saturday schedule is the same as last night for both Strictly and X Factor.

Fudd

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Agent F:
“The Sunday show is an epic 90 minutes long but the Saturday show remains at 75 minutes - and in fact the Saturday schedule is the same as last night for both Strictly and X Factor.”

A late change then. Culture had the schedule at:

7.00 The Cube
8.00 The X Factor
9.30 When Piers Met Sir Cliff
10.30 News and Weather
10.45 Stepmom
1.05 Accidental Tourist
3.15 Crossing Jordan
4.15 Nightscreen

Though the radiotimes website now does have it at:

7.00 The Cube
8.00 The X Factor
9.15 When Piers Met Sir Cliff
10.15 News and Weather
10.30 Stepmom
12.45 The Accidental Toruist
2.50 Crossing Jordan
3.35 Nightscreen

Wonder what happened with the extra 15 minutes? Typing error with the Culture people?

D.M.N.

20-09-2009

Doc Martin's Ratings
Series 1
02/09/2004: 9.4m (43%) [official: 9.93m]
09/09/2004: 8.4m (39%) [official: 8.98m]
16/09/2004: 8.3m (??%) [official: 8.91m]
23/09/2004: 8.8m (40%) [official: 9.31m]
30/09/2004: 8.8m (40%) [official: 9.45m]
07/10/2004: 8.7m (39%) [official: 9.31m]

Series 2
10/11/2005: 8.3m (35%) [official: 8.86m]
17/11/2005: 7.7m (??%) [official: 8.19m]
24/11/2005: 8.7m (36%) [official: 9.26m]
01/12/2005: 8.6m (37%) [official: 8.99m]
08/12/2005: 8.1m (35%) [official: 8.56m]
15/12/2005: 8.4m (37%) [official: 8.83m]
22/12/2005: 7.8m (??%) [official: 8.11m]
05/01/2006: 8.1m (31%) [official: 8.60m]
25/12/2006: ?? [official: 5.88m] - Christmas Special

Series 3
24/09/2007: 7.5m (32%) [official: 8.10m]
01/10/2007: 8.1m (35%) [official: 8.58m]
08/10/2007: ?? [official: 8.84m]
15/10/2007: 8.2m (34%) [official: 8.81m]
22/10/2007: 8.8m (36%) [official: 9.21m]
29/10/2007: 9.3m (38%) [official: 9.92m]
05/11/2007: 9.8m (40%) [official: 10.37m]

Will a near 2 year hiatus mean Doc Martin loses some of its 8 million viewers, or will they all return?

C14E

20-09-2009

Next week could be Strictly's best chance as bootcamp is usually the weakest stage of the competition. Last years Saturday bootcamp show dropped to 8.2m even without competition from Strictly.

rzt

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“Will a near 2 year hiatus mean Doc Martin loses some of its 8 million viewers, or will they all return?”

The last series of Doc Martin had some pretty easy competition for the most part. The first episode got the lowest rating because it was up against Silent Witness, which usually rates well (a sign for tonight?).

But the remainder of the series was up against stuff like Traffic Cops, Crimewatch, New Tricks repeats and Panorama (which all got under 4m).

Also with the STV opt-out to factor in, I think tonight's will be around 7-8m. The audience is definitely there to grow, though, once Waking the Dead ends next week.

D.M.N.

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by rzt:
“Also with the STV opt-out to factor in, I think tonight's will be around 7-8m. The audience is definitely there to grow, though, once Waking the Dead ends next week.”

What do BBC have for the 9pm slot once WTD finishes?

rzt

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“What do BBC have for the 9pm slot once WTD finishes?”

I don't think it's been confirmed yet. Wouldn't surprise me if they show their new period drama, Emma, in that slot.

dan2008

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by CheekyTV:
“I think X factor should be retitled to "The Christmas No1 Show" because that's all it is really!”

More like 'We have ruined the Christmas No1
show'

Fudd

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“What do BBC have for the 9pm slot once WTD finishes?”

At this rate, the Strictly Come Dancing results.

There's nothing major on the in the 9pm slot - at least, there's nothing in the press pack. I think it could be Criminal Justice week, so that'd rule out any two parters on Sunday and Monday - though they could air a two parter for the two Sunday's.

Dancc

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by C14E:
“For example, CBS procedural Without A Trace had considerably more viewers than CBS comedies like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Rules of Engagement (12-13m vs 7-9m). But the comedies had higher ratings among 18-49's and so they got new series and WAT was cancelled.”

This still makes me mad. I don't care what anyone says about demos, this show was a ratings powerhouse and the quality remained sky high throughout its 8 years on the air. Any other network would have kept it on, but CBS is (sadly) not short of hits.

I think it proves that UK broadcasters do value demos less because I seriously don't think ITV would have taken that decision. Then again, thinking about all the kerfuffle over re-commissioning Whitechapel which we were led to believe was all about money, could demo performance have played a part in their hesitancy?

Jonwo

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by C14E:
“
For example, CBS procedural Without A Trace had considerably more viewers than CBS comedies like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Rules of Engagement (12-13m vs 7-9m). But the comedies had higher ratings among 18-49's and so they got new series and WAT was cancelled.”

Without a Trace was very expensive to produce and CBS needed to reduced costs and it was between this and Cold Case for renewal and Cold Case got renewed but it will be for the final time.

The comedies not only skewed younger but much cheaper to produce and I think The Big Bang Theory is being groomed to replace Two and a Half Men when it eventually ends.

Jonwo

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Dancc:
“This still makes me mad. I don't care what anyone says about demos, this show was a ratings powerhouse and the quality remained sky high throughout its 8 years on the air. Any other network would have kept it on, but CBS is (sadly) not short of hits.

I think it proves that UK broadcasters do value demos less because I seriously don't think ITV would have taken that decision. Then again, thinking about all the kerfuffle over re-commissioning Whitechapel which we were led to believe was all about money, could demo performance have played a part in their hesitancy?”

Didn't Rosemary and Thyme get axed because it skewed too old because I can't imagine it cost as much as Midsomer Murders or Frost.

Dancc

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“A late change then. Culture had the schedule at:

7.00 The Cube
8.00 The X Factor
9.30 When Piers Met Sir Cliff
10.30 News and Weather
10.45 Stepmom
1.05 Accidental Tourist
3.15 Crossing Jordan
4.15 Nightscreen

Though the radiotimes website now does have it at:

7.00 The Cube
8.00 The X Factor
9.15 When Piers Met Sir Cliff
10.15 News and Weather
10.30 Stepmom
12.45 The Accidental Toruist
2.50 Crossing Jordan
3.35 Nightscreen

Wonder what happened with the extra 15 minutes? Typing error with the Culture people?”

And amazing how 15 minutes extra of TXF would have been enough to shunt Nightscreen by 40 minutes. What happened to those 25 minutes of ITV? Deeply puzzing!

iaindb

20-09-2009

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“Doc Martin's Ratings
Series 1
02/09/2004: 9.4m (43%) [official: 9.93m]
09/09/2004: 8.4m (39%) [official: 8.98m]
16/09/2004: 8.3m (??%) [official: 8.91m]
23/09/2004: 8.8m (40%) [official: 9.31m]
30/09/2004: 8.8m (40%) [official: 9.45m]
07/10/2004: 8.7m (39%) [official: 9.31m]

Series 2
10/11/2005: 8.3m (35%) [official: 8.86m]
17/11/2005: 7.7m (??%) [official: 8.19m]
24/11/2005: 8.7m (36%) [official: 9.26m]
01/12/2005: 8.6m (37%) [official: 8.99m]
08/12/2005: 8.1m (35%) [official: 8.56m]
15/12/2005: 8.4m (37%) [official: 8.83m]
22/12/2005: 7.8m (??%) [official: 8.11m]
05/01/2006: 8.1m (31%) [official: 8.60m]
25/12/2006: ?? [official: 5.88m] - Christmas Special

Series 3
24/09/2007: 7.5m (32%) [official: 8.10m]
01/10/2007: 8.1m (35%) [official: 8.58m]
08/10/2007: ?? [official: 8.84m]
15/10/2007: 8.2m (34%) [official: 8.81m]
22/10/2007: 8.8m (36%) [official: 9.21m]
29/10/2007: 9.3m (38%) [official: 9.92m]
05/11/2007: 9.8m (40%) [official: 10.37m]

Will a near 2 year hiatus mean Doc Martin loses some of its 8 million viewers, or will they all return?”

The missing overnights:

Xmas 2006 - 5.78m
8/10/07 - 7.27m

Though my overnights for the 2007 series (taken from Broadcast magazine) all seem to be a couple of hundred thousand less than yours.

Originally Posted by rzt:
“The last series of Doc Martin had some pretty easy competition for the most part. The first episode got the lowest rating because it was up against Silent Witness, which usually rates well (a sign for tonight?).

But the remainder of the series was up against stuff like Traffic Cops, Crimewatch, New Tricks repeats and Panorama (which all got under 4m).

Also with the STV opt-out to factor in, I think tonight's will be around 7-8m. The audience is definitely there to grow, though, once Waking the Dead ends next week.”

SW took 5.68m overnights again DM down from 6.71m the previous week.

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“What do BBC have for the 9pm slot once WTD finishes?”

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“At this rate, the Strictly Come Dancing results.

There's nothing major on the in the 9pm slot - at least, there's nothing in the press pack. I think it could be Criminal Justice week, so that'd rule out any two parters on Sunday and Monday - though they could air a two parter for the two Sunday's.”

I predict it'll be a New Tricks repeat. (It loses its Thursday slot 3 days earlier to The Secret Life Of Twins.)

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