The Ratings Thread (Part 7)

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Andy23

29-03-2010

The debates are an unknown quantity as well

Will the ITV one rate the highest as it is the first one?

Or will the BBC one be highest because it's on the BBC?

Or will people be bored by then, therefore ITV's will rate the highest?

I suppose a lot depends on what competition is on the other side at the same time.

rzt

29-03-2010

No decision has yet been made about Married Single Other. The writer, Peter Souter, said just now on Facebook:

Quote:
“For those that missed it - we won't know for a couple of weeks if there'll be a second series but we all hope so and your support has played a big part in us maybe getting another chance”

But it looks like a decision will be made quite soon.

russellelly

29-03-2010

Originally Posted by Brekkie:
“Re: the election debates. I wonder if the 10pm news bulletins will benefit more from a boost in ratings than the debate themselves. For a good number of people I'd imagine a 90-minute debate is a bit too much to handle (especially by the time they hit the third), so people might tune in for the edited highlights instead.

From what I saw of tonight's Chancellor's debate it was exactly what you'd expect really - three politicians trying where possible to avoid answering the question, and though of course more focused, the shows themselves not straying at all from the traditional Question Time type format.

I'm sure tonight's will do relatively well for C4 (anything above 1.5m is good for the slot), but can't see the ITV one especially rating much above 4-5m. Will Sky show there's on Sky One or perhaps Five?”

I thought the C4 debate was reasonably compelling. I could see it doing pretty well. No adverts in at, which was surprising. Though unusually for a weekday, C4 News itself had a few adverts.

Sky's debate could well be simulcast on Sky1, but there's no way they'd allow Five to show it - it's a great way for Sky News to position themselves as an equal to the BBC and ITV. The Lib Dems of these debates, you could say.

Brekkie

29-03-2010

Talking of the Lib Dems, don't know how the BBC analysed it, but on ITV they said the vast majority of the audience thought Vince Cable outperformed the others, but in the interest of balance they have to show positive comments for the others two as well, even though there were few to choose from. And no surprise really but they said although journalists were equally as impressed with Vince Cable, when it comes to tomorrows papers they'll be towing the party line.

So all in all, rather pointless really.

Dancc

29-03-2010

It would be good if Five could negotiate a deal to simulcast Sky News' leaders debate if only to get it some extra exposure. Of course, most people who receive Five can also receive Sky News but one has the advantage of being much nearer the top of the EPG!

I'm delighted as well that Sky News managed to secure the Foreign Affairs debate as for me this has been one of Sky's strongest areas in recent years, so it does seem the natural home.

As for the C4 debate, I thought it was surprisingly watchable for what it was. Krishnan did a fairly good job as moderator and it was pacey enough to sustain interest. I don't expect it will rate much higher than about 2m but that's good enough for a show like this.

Dancc

29-03-2010

Originally Posted by Brekkie:
“P.S. A bit disappointed with the mid-season finale of Glee really - seemed rather rushed with long running stories reaching some sort of climax but then going nowhere. Confirmed though it's back on E4 on April 19th, and looks like E4 will run a promo campaign throughout the three weeks off giving viewers the chance to be on Glee.”

So E4 are rushing to get Glee back on air which only paused tonight but still no dates for The Big Bang Theory which stopped midseason weeks ago!

Talk about preferential treatment. Starting to get more than a little fed up with E4.

Dancc

29-03-2010

FlashForward was really good tonight I thought - possibly the best episode yet.

Glad I stuck with it.

Score

29-03-2010

I hope Married Single Other does a bit better tonight as it was just brilliant. Something I was initially very skeptical about and didn't particularly like at first has become a wonderful gem of a programme. I hope ITV bring it back as it really does deserve it.

C14E

29-03-2010

Originally Posted by rzt:
“Quoting some old posts as I've got some updated data regarding the 16-34s and ABC1s...

Here's the BBC1 drama demo information in a table (ABC1s have now been added). They're averages for the 2009 series unless stated. No soaps or longrunning drama (i.e. EE/Casualty/Holby included).

Here's the demo table for ITV1 2009 or 2010 dramas. Also a table to see how the 2008 ITV1 dramas got on.

Some things I noted: DW has the most 16-34s and ABC1s, quite easily. Wallander has the highest skewed upmarket audience. For ITV1, Poirot and Marple do particularly well with ABC1s. From the 2008 batch, Harley Street was very unpopular with 16-34s even though I'm sure it was supposed to be aimed at that audience.

BBC dramas generally skew a lot more upmarket than ITV1's - just a couple skewed over 50% for ITV1.”

Some very unpredictable ratings in there. How does Whitechapel end up with 14% of its audience aged 16-34 but Above Suspicion only manages 8%?

Also, I think ITV must be disappointed that Law & Order has ended up getting the same proportion of 16-34's as Marple and Trial & Retribution.

Jonwo

29-03-2010

Originally Posted by Dancc:
“So E4 are rushing to get Glee back on air which only paused tonight but still no dates for The Big Bang Theory which stopped midseason weeks ago!

Talk about preferential treatment. Starting to get more than a little fed up with E4.”

I'm guessing Big Bang Theory will restart in April as well, how many episodes did they show before the break because IIRC this season will be 24 episodes long and if E4 started playing it from say, April 22nd, they could only be a few weeks behind the US.

Speaking of E4, How I Met Your Mother is going to show Season 5 straight after season 4 so I guessed it'll be paired with either Accidently on Purpose or Scrubs.

Score

29-03-2010

Originally Posted by C14E:
“Some very unpredictable ratings in there. How does Whitechapel end up with 14% of its audience aged 16-34 but Above Suspicion only manages 8%?

Also, I think ITV must be disappointed that Law & Order has ended up getting the same proportion of 16-34's as Marple and Trial & Retribution.”

I think the appeal of the Ripper probably got more 16-34s watching than just another cop show. As for L&O, it skews very old in the US too so it's no real surprise it does here too, especially as it aired against Hustle.

Also, Comedy Rocks apparently got a 15% share of 16-34s, but what does that translate to roughly as a rating - 0.6-0.7m or so? That would be OK if nothing special I guess, and ITV should look into giving it another shot.

jcafcw

30-03-2010

Originally Posted by Jonwo:
“I'm guessing Big Bang Theory will restart in April as well, how many episodes did they show before the break because IIRC this season will be 24 episodes long and if E4 started playing it from say, April 22nd, they could only be a few weeks behind the US.

Speaking of E4, How I Met Your Mother is going to show Season 5 straight after season 4 so I guessed it'll be paired with either Accidently on Purpose or Scrubs.”

We have currently seen 11 out of the 23 season run of The Big Bang Theory and are currently 7 episodes behind them. The finale is due to be broadcast May 24th in the States. If E4 started showing them from next Thursday (8th April) it would run to June 24th over here with the 12 we still have to see. Not too sure it makes good commercial sense to run them against the World Cup so it may be held until after then.

Dancc

30-03-2010

Originally Posted by jcafcw:
“We have currently seen 11 out of the 23 season run of The Big Bang Theory and are currently 7 episodes behind them. The finale is due to be broadcast May 24th in the States. If E4 started showing them from next Thursday (8th April) it would run to June 24th over here with the 12 we still have to see. Not too sure it makes good commercial sense to run them against the World Cup so it may be held until after then.”

If E4 had brought it back sooner this problem would not exist. Too busy shooting themselves in the foot to notice I'd imagine.

Still avoidable if they start soon and begin to double up episodes from May 27th when HIMYM will have finished its run.

RobbieSykes123

30-03-2010

at Tanking on Ice: The Grand Tanking!

8.8m is a shocker, and even more of a humiliation when BBC1 ran the equivalent of the testcard at 9pm and still it couldn't average 10m+.

That is one almighty shocker, it really hasn't resonated this series.

Some on here predicted 10m a week for this series, but they proved wildly optimistic.

I wonder what they can do to save the next series? If nothing else, it's set a very low bar for SCD 2010, which it will have no problem at all in clearing by miles.

(I can make that prediction with confidence because it's March and nobody will remember it by October. Not even George...)

Originally Posted by sn_22:
“Interesting to see the news about Waking the Dead. I'm not entirely surprised though given what we've heard over the recent months. Though its still one of the handful of dramas capable of over 7m, there seems to be a consensus it has run its course. It'll have run for 9 series over 11 years - keeping the same core cast too. It's pretty clear from the controversy over Trevor Eve's salary last year that the BBC have had to pull out the stops to keep it running too. First of a few that'll probably hit the axe over the next few years - the BBC will be needing some new hits soon.
”

Sad, but it's been on the cards. I'll be sorry to see the back of one of my favourite dramas, but nothing can go on forever.

Given the ever-longer gaps between series, I'm sure when it does get to the end of the 2011 series, we will see it back for one-offs.

Isn't there still a 2 parter from the last series to air - it was billed as a 12 part series but only ran for 2eps x5 weeks, didn't it?

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“F1 did well, even if it was down on last year, combined rating of 4.5m is solid. Wonder what will happen next Sunday when it switches to BBC Two halfway through...”

Hopefully the ratings will drop like a stone, the F1on2 will get beaten by whatever tripe ITV1 is repeating, and Pope on 1 comes in last of all 5 terrestrials, a crucial race incident happens at 9.59am so viewers miss it, and the resulting shit-storm of fury causes Chief BSI George Dixon to swing from the nearest gibbet.

I simply cannot believe that the stupid, stupid BBC has allowed this to happen.

Originally Posted by Glenn A:
“Err, nothing definite has been said about the election date, but is almost certain to be declared imminently.
BTW what sort of ratings did the last election attract?”

I think BBC1's coverage peaked at >6m in 2005, but probably down to people waiting (and waiting) for the Ten o Clock News. I vaguely recollect that BBC1's ratings tend to stay around 3m+ until 1am, then drop away sharply. But add in ITV1, Sky News, News 24 and it's probably not a bad combined number.

Originally Posted by GeorgeS:
“As promised:

Tuesday 3rd February 1987

BBC1
7pm Holiday 87 11.9m
7.30pm Eastenders 15.3m
8pm Variety Club Awards 8.7m
9pm News 7.0m
9.30pm Sort Of Innocence 4.1m
10.20pm Film 87 2.8m
10.50pm 20th century Rembrant 1.2m

ITV
7pm Emmerdale 11.5m
7.30pm Regional 7.3m
8pm Any Which Way You Can 12.3m
10pm NaT 9.3m
10.35pm First Tuesday 6.7m

back when ITV won Tuesdays last!”

I'm astonished that 7m people stayed up to watch a show as dull as First Tuesday (ok, I was only 10 in Feb 1987, but I think it ran for a few years beyond then).

Perhaps they couldn't sleep?

Dancc

30-03-2010

Note: We're into the Easter Non-Ratings Period (NRP) so if you're wondering why the networks have basically stopped competing, that is why. It matters less basically even though the numbers are still tracked and reported in the same way.

Seven
18:00 Seven News 1.39m
18:30 Today Tonight 1.33m
19:00 Home and Away 1.01m
19:30 Out of the Wreckage: Plane Crash Survivors 0.66m
20:30 Desperate Housewives 0.90m

Nine
18:00 Nine News 1.19m
18:30 A Current Affair 1.22m
19:00 Two and a Half Men (R) 1.10m
19:30 Two and a Half Men (R) 1.29m
20:00 The Big Bang Theory (R) 1.17m
20:30 The Mentalist (R) 1.24m

Ten
17:00 Ten News at Five 0.87m
18:00 The Simpsons (R) 0.59m
18:30 Neighbours 0.56m
19:00 The 7pm Project 0.74m
19:30 The Biggest Loser: Couples 0.97m
20:30 Good News Week - Best Of Special 0.78m

Nine wins - 30.0% share.
___________________________________________

Seven's doc was quite the ratings turkey, definitely cost them some share points. Nine's all repeat lineup on the other hand rated very well.

As for Neighbours, some have said it's all about the lead-in. Well here the lead-in managed to beat it by some 30k. Those alarm bells ringing at Ten HQ can be heard from here!

Still, the mood there may well be lifted by the fact that The Biggest Loser is finally showing signs of life as the series finale approaches. The best part of 1m viewers is good business for Ten right now, but the weak Seven opposition probably helped.

Danslink

30-03-2010

What as First Tuesday?

DOI was dull this year...the only interesting thing was Holly Willabooby's cleavge.

RobbieSykes123

30-03-2010

Originally Posted by Danslink:
“What as First Tuesday?

DOI was dull this year...the only interesting thing was Holly Willabooby's cleavge.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_T...tary_strand%29

Here's a complete list of the all the episodes:

http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/17885

Rather worthy and leftward-leaning public service broadcasting documentary strand. From memory, it was depressingly bleak most of the time.

I'm sure Guardian readers loved it...

gottago

30-03-2010

Originally Posted by Score:
“Absymally, just like every solo project Justin Lee Collins does. Why the hell do Five keep giving him new shows? I notice they're repeating Heads or Tails too, perhaps a second viewer might become hooked on it?”

They slapped a golden handcuffs deal on him last year IIRC.

Originally Posted by PJMillar:
“I wonder whether, given STV's success with Underbelly (which outperformed the premiere of M,S,O), ITV might look at more imports - despite being rather put off by Pushing Daisies - which was a bit out-of-mainstream.

Underbelly is cheap, crime-fuelled and extremely good quality - but could it get over 4m nationwide?”

Do we know if the programme's actually been a success. As far as I'm aware we only found out what it got for its first episode in Scotland.

Also from what I've read online, it appears to be a truly dreadful drama.

Regarding Sky News' leaders debate being shown on Five. Didn't the BBC and Sky agree that other broadcasters would be able to broadcast their debates live whilst ITV would make the entire programme available to other broadcasters immediately after it finished (presumably because no-one would actually watch it on ITV1!).

Gutted Girl

30-03-2010

I thought that last year's Strictly was the second most watched series of it? Or do I recall that incorrectly?

DOI one main problem for me was Heather Mills. I have no wish to ever see her on my TV screen again and once she'd gone I'd not only got out of the habit of watching it, but also I hadn't got a clue who any of the people left in were so I never bothered watching a second of it.

Hasn't only one series got worse ratings than this one?

Avalanche

30-03-2010

Krishnan Guru-Murthy has this to say about Ask the Chancellors on Twitter this morning:

Quote:
“early figs suggest audience (amazingly) grew thru prog to peak at 2 mill. 'reach' much bigger. double last week's fig for slot. not bad.”

D.M.N.

30-03-2010

Married Single Other ended run on 3.9m but lost its slot.

Hope it gets recommissioned... a real good show. Ask The Chancellors did brilliantly in a tough slot for Channel 4. Blood and Oil also did surprisingly well.

Monday 29th March 2010
BBC One
18:00 - BBC News at Six: 4.5m (23.3%)
18:30 - Regional News and Weather: 5.8m (28.3%)
19:00 - The One Show: 5.1m (23.2%)
19:30 - Bang Goes the Theory: 3.6m (15.5%)
20:00 - EastEnders: 9.4m (36.6%)
20:30 - Panorama: 2.6m (10.5%)
21:00 - Crimewatch: 4.0m (15.8%)
22:00 - BBC News at Ten: 4.3m (20.2%)
22:25 - Regional News and Weather: 4.4m (23.1%)
22:35 - Crimewatch Update: 3.0m (18.1%)
22:45 - The World's Strictest Parents: 1.9m (16.2%)

BBC Two
18:00 - Eggheads: 2.3m (12.0%)
18:30 - Antiques Road Trip: 2.5m (12.1%)
19:00 - Seven Ages of Britain: 1.2m (5.4%)
20:00 - University Challenge: 2.9m (11.5%)
20:30 - Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets: 2.2m (8.6%)
21:00 - Blood and Oil: 2.3m (9.4%)
22:20 - Coast: 0.6m (3.2%)
22:30 - Newsnight: 1.0m (6.8%)
23:20 - Newswipe with Charlie Brooker: 0.5m (5.7%)
23:50 - Inside John Lewis: 0.3m (5.5%)

ITV1
18:30 - ITV News & Weather: 3.5m (17.1%)
19:00 - Emmerdale: 7.5m (34.1%)
19:30 - Coronation Street: 9.5m (40.7%)
20:00 - Countrywise: 3.8m (15.0%)
20:30 - Coronation Street: 9.1m (36.0%)
21:00 - Married Single Other: 3.9m (15.6%)
22:00 - ITV News at Ten & Weather: 2.0m (9.4%)
22:35 - FILM: The 40-Year-Old Virgin: 0.9m (9.3%)

Channel 4
18:00 - The Simpsons: 1.8m (9.1%)
18:30 - Hollyoaks: 1.1m (5.5%)
19:00 - Channel 4 News: 0.7m (3.3%)
20:00 - Ask the Chancellors: 1.7m (6.8%)
21:00 - The Secret Millionaire: 2.3m (9.6%)
22:00 - The Good Wife: 0.6m (4.8%)

Five
17:30 - Neighbours: 1.3m (8.0%)
18:00 - Home and Away: 1.1m (5.6%)
18:25 - Live From Studio Five: 0.3m (1.4%)
19:30 - How Do They Do It?: 0.4m (1.6%)
20:00 - The Gadget Show: 1.1m (4.4%)
21:00 - FlashForward: 1.5m (5.8%)
22:00 - Justin Lee Collins: Good Times: 0.6m (3.2%)

BBC HD
18:30 - Emma: 0.01m (0.01%)
19:30 - Bang Goes the Theory: 0.03m (0.1%)
20:00 - Jimmy's Food Factory: 0.02m (0.1%)
20:30 - Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets: 0.03m (0.1%)
21:00 - Blood and Oil: 0.03m (0.1%)
22:30 - Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow: 0.03m (0.2%)
00:15 - Scallywagga: 0 (0.0%)

rzt

30-03-2010

More details of that new medical drama commissioned by ITV1:

Quote:
“ITV’s promise to invest in more new drama brands with the axing of The Bill includes a dark new medical series from Mammoth Screen penned by Peter Bowker.

The 6 x 60-minute drama, titled Monroe, centres on the intense and often difficult world of a neurosurgeon and the patients he comes into contact with. It was commissioned by ITV director of television Peter Fincham and head of drama Laura Mackie and will TX in 2011.

Unlike other medical series such as ER and Casualty, it is understood that the drama will focus on one character rather than an ensemble cast and will be less accident and emergency based. It also aims to reflect the dark humour that enables people to cope in life-threatening situations.

The series will be produced by Mammoth Screen who also produced Bowker’s adaptation of literary classic Wuthering Heights which aired on ITV1 last year.

Bowker, whose BBC Iraq war drama Occupation picked up best drama series at last week’s Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, began his writing career on medical series’ including Casualty, Peak Practice and Medics.

His other credits include Flesh and Blood, which starred Christopher Eccleston, and series including Blackpool and Desperate Romantics.”

James J

30-03-2010

^ Sounds like a rip off of House.

Sad MSO didn't get better ratings last night.

rzt

30-03-2010

Solid night for BBC1 with EastEnders just slightly behind Corrie. Blood and Oil did better than I expected on BBC2. Countrywise began at a slightly lower level than The Lakes, though it's still fairly good. Married Single Other really should have increased its audience up against Crimewatch rather than New Tricks (r) but 3.9m is pretty much level at where it's been all series. Overnight series average for the series was 4.3m - most drama wouldn't get a second series with those numbers but the healthy 16-34 might save it.

Nearly double the slot average for Ask The Chancellors. A sign to come for the upcoming Primeministerial debates? Probably not. Another drop for FlashForward, looks like it's going the same way over here as the USA. Terrible start for JLC's show.

Dancc

30-03-2010

LOL @ 0 viewers for Scallywagga on BBC HD. I know it was past midnight, but even still. That channel can't launch soon enough on Freeview nationwide.

Not great for MSO despite all the love it is getting on this thread. Very poor for JLC but I expected it. Blood and Oil did well.

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