The Ratings Thread (Part 3 (1))

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will2348

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by rzt:
“Saturday Night Takeaway started with 5.5m, and stayed over 4.5m+ for its first series. Then it's ratings rose for subsequent series to a peak of around 8m I think. But in the last couple of years, they've gone down to around 6/7m.

I think Ant and Dec will definitely stay on ITV. They won't have the same opportunities at the BBC or anywhere else. Their US career is not going well, so ITV is really their only option if they want to be at the top of primetime tv.”

There was certianly some awful ratings for some shows in the first 3 series. Were these caused by other factors

Steve Williams

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“Pop Idol was their big break. Before then they did children's TV (SMTV was their key show) and early evening programming.”

Well, of course, before Takeaway they did Slap Bang on Saturday nights, and it was a huge flop - it moved from seven o'clock to half past five, and was humiliatingly beaten by Friends Like These, which of course they'd just left.

While they were on SMTV they did Friends Like These for the Beeb, but at the end of 2000 they were offered exclusive contracts by both channels and opted for ITV. Slap Bang was supposed to be a big show, there were rumours at the time that it would potentially run six months a year, and it was planned as a big plank of the schedules alongside The Premiership. It didn't work though, as it was basically just SMTV in the evening, with stuff like Challenge Ant, but it had all been done better in the mornings.

Then they did Pop Idol in the autumn of 2001, then Takeaway started in June 2002. It didn't really take off until the second series, though, in early 2003, which is when they started to do Undercover and What's Next and so on.

It's not at all unusual for Takeaway to have a break anyway, between series two and three there was about eighteen months, with Pop Idol and two series of I'm A Celebrity in between. Some of the series have also had very short runs, it's actually been on much less than you'd think.

rzt

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by will2348:
“There was certianly some awful ratings for some shows in the first 3 series. Were these caused by other factors”

Hmm... not sure. The first series was in the summer, so that would have been one factor to the lower ratings. Also they had to establish their show, whcih was new.

The second series saw a huge rise in Jan 03, consistently getting over 7.5m+ and hitting a peak of 9m. And it was getting those sort of figures till 07.

In 07/08, figures saw a bit of a decline. 07 was affected by the Rugby World Cup and was getting 5m-7m. 08 rose to about 7m. While the figures have gone down in the last couple of years, the show's 'ITV Weekly Ranking' was higher than before.

ItsAnObsession

21-11-2008

Does anyone know the ratings for ITV1's Saturday night divas from last year?

Part 2 is on this Sunday.

Any reply/help is much appreciated

Thebenster

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by ItsAnObsession:
“Does anyone know the ratings for ITV1's Saturday night divas from last year?

Part 2 is on this Sunday.

Any reply/help is much appreciated ”

Sat 03/11/07
21.45- Saturday Night Divas: 4.57m (22.3%)

ItsAnObsession

21-11-2008

Thank you so much 'Thebenster'

Really appreciate it

D.M.N.

21-11-2008

Some interesting scheduling moves by ITV UPDATED:

*Heartbeat looks like it's not returning till at least the middle of December. "Take That Come To Town" airs on Sunday, 7th December 2008 at 20:00, and I think there's a "Girls Alound" special as well sometime around then.
*Britannia High starts at 18:30 on Sunday, 7th December 2008. This is because Coronation Street in not on twice on Friday, 5th December 2008. It's episode that should air at 20:30 on Friday, 5th December 2008 is instead airing at 19:30 on Sunday, 7th December 2008.
*I presume the above is because of the I'm a Celebrity final, which I'm guessing is on Friday, 5th December 2008. The schedule I presume goes as follows for that day:

19:00 - Emmerdale
19:30 - Coronation Street
20:00 - Tonight
20:30 - I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

I find that weird - it's not like ITV has to contend with News at Ten on Fridays - if it did then I wouldn't be surprised about the above, but it seems a little weird.... I would have expected it to possibly be 21:00 to 22:00 and 22:30 to 23:00 - my guess is that it'll be 20:30 to 22:30. However, some people on here have said it's a bad move ratings wise to have the final on Friday. The "Coming Out" show airs just two days later at 21:00 on Sunday, 7th December 2008.

EDIT: Actually, no, Corrie isn't on the Monday either all of the final week, IAC is on from 20:30 to 22:00. Corrie is only on three times that week.

Some interesting scheduling for Saturday, 6th December 2008 which means movement for X Factor. The following programmes are on Saturday, 6th December, ITV1:
*British Comedy Awards 2008 - 21:15 to 22:45.
*The Big Fight Live - 22:45 to 23:45.

I don't think the British Comedy Awards aired on Saturday last year - dunno why it's airing on Saturday this year. The above two means The X Factor must be wrapped up (both shows) by 21:15. This means a clash is certain.

Dancc

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by Thebenster:
“Sat 03/11/07
21.45- Saturday Night Divas: 4.57m (22.3%)”

Worth baring in mind of course that that was with a lead-in of nearly 7m from TXF Result.

This year it can expect a lead-in of about 2m from Britannia High and is up against the last 15 minutes of ratings juggernaut Antiques Roadshow and the entire Strictly result.

Only_You

21-11-2008

Originally Posted by Dancc:
“Worth baring in mind of course that that was with a lead-in of nearly 7m from TXF Result.

This year it can expect a lead-in of about 2m from Britannia High and is up against the last 15 minutes of ratings juggernaut Antiques Roadshow and the entire Strictly result.”

Yep, and Top Gear!

D.M.N.

22-11-2008

D.M.N.'s Predictions - Friday 21st November 2008
Emmerdale - 6.8m
Corrie - 9.8m/9.5m
EastEnders - 8.9m
I'm a Celeb - 8.4m
That's What I Call 1983 - 5.6m
BBC News - 2.9m

Based on the response on this forum, I think "That's What I Call 1983" would have performed well.

Basically last night in my view was an ITV washout (apart from 20:00 to 20:30)

Only_You

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by D.M.N.:
“D.M.N.'s Predictions - Friday 21st November 2008
Emmerdale - 6.8m
Corrie - 9.8m/9.5m
EastEnders - 8.9m
I'm a Celeb - 8.4m
That's What I Call 1983 - 5.6m
BBC News - 2.9m

Based on the response on this forum, I think "That's What I Call 1983" would have performed well.

Basically last night in my view was an ITV washout (apart from 20:00 to 20:30)”

I agree with all of them except That's what I call 1983! I think 3.2 at the most!

Digital Sid

22-11-2008

When did the thread get split in 3?

Thebenster

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by Digital Sid:
“When did the thread get split in 3?”

Hmm, it appears it's only just happened.

Someone should create a brand new one and start afresh.

rzt

22-11-2008

DS said they would be splitting long threads around now. Don't like it, but ah well- it's happened.

Score

22-11-2008

Ah well, nevermind.

rzt

22-11-2008

Reevell's ratings: Five docs

Quote:
“Entertainment has the X Factor but for documentaries, it seems, it's the One Factor which keeps commissioners awake at night.
At Sheffield's documentary festival last week it was reported that newly installed Dawn Airey has made 1 million Five's minimum rating requirement for documentaries airing in primetime. But what might be an aspirational number for Five is a disappointment at Channel 4. Head of documentaries Hamish Mykura said a documentary whose ratings began with a one would make him "wonder why". Presumably why only 1 million? Why not two?
The 1 million viewer benchmark suggests Dawn Airey is looking to Five to achieve some immediate improvements. What do we think her overall primetime target is likely to be? Is 7% too bold an ambition? It's certainly a lot to ask - but with Richard Woolfe on board helping to reinvigorate Five, she might just achieve it.

One million is a simple benchmark for documentaries, so let's have a look at how Five's docs perform. Airey's return was heralded by a fast turnaround documentary Russell & Ross: What the F*** Was All That About? on Wednesday at 10pm. It had just under 1 million, 980,000/6% share. That might sound OK since it was about 200,000 up on last week's Banged Up Abroad - a 27% increase, thanks to topicality and asterisks in the title. However, it's only slightly over the year to date slot average of 940,000/5% share.

An hour earlier at 9pm Five's travelogue specialist, Paul Merton, was a definite one million-plus player as this week's episode of his trip to India at 9pm had 1.8 million/8% share. Also on Wednesday, Axe Men at 8pm increased to 1.3 million/6% share. Five's Wednesday primetime share increased by 35% to 5.2% in fact.

Five had a good week, increasing its primetime share by 10% from 4.5% last week to just under 5%. On Sunday, films also worked well for the channel, with The Longest Yard at 9pm on Sunday taking 1.6 million/8% share. It pushed Five's Sunday night share up by 30% to 6.5%.

BBC2 is likely to have its own 1 million worries, including Michael Portillo: Death of a School Friend, which had 1.3 million/6% share on Friday at 9pm, and British Style Genius on Tuesday at 9pm which had 1.1 million/5% share. However, BBC2 also has six programmes with over 3 million. Autumnwatch had over 3 million at 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with a best of 3.5 million/14% share on Monday. On Wednesday it had to move to 7pm to make way for a President Obama Newsnight special and dropped to just 1.85 million/9% share. It rather spoilt the numbers, although the average was already down on last year. The eight Autumnwatch programmes averaged 3.1 million compared with 3.5 million last year, and 3.8 million in 2006.

Over on BBC1 Stephen Fry in America at 9pm on Sunday increased to 6.7 million/26% share, up from 6 million/24% last week, as Sharpe's Peril on ITV1 slipped back to 4.6 million/19% share from 5.3 million/24% last week. Incidentally, earlier on ITV1 Britannia High at 7pm slipped back to 2.5 million/10% share. Scheduling a show that has such a strong kids appeal in a time slot that tends to attract older viewers was always going to be a risk.”

Source: Broadcast - Philip Reevell

rzt

22-11-2008

Reevell's Ratings: Entertainment

Quote:
“Further proof this week, if it were needed, that TV is being pushed along by entertainment in all its guises.
The weekend started with the BBC's charity-tainment marathon, Children in Need, on Friday, followed by a Saturday night which contained The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and We Are Most Amused, a royalty-tainment for the Prince of Wales' 60th, before concluding on Sunday with the return of unbeatable reality-tainment I'm a Celebrity.... And if I wanted to over-egg the pudding how about antique-tainment, in the Antiques Roadshow, motor-tainment from Top Gear and travel-tainment from Stephen Fry in America.

Three of these entertainment monsters rated over 10 million - on Friday at 9pm Children in Need had 11.2 million, 46% share; The X Factor on Saturday at 7.20pm had 10.6 million/44% share while Sunday's Antiques Roadshow had 10 million/39% share at 7.15pm.

Yet, despite the return of its celebrity ratings banker, ITV1 lost Sunday night with a primetime share of 23% to BBC1's 29%. Between 7pm and 9pm, ITV1 is caught between a rock and a hard place. BBC1 has a supercharged Roadshow thanks to ITV1's underperforming Britannia High which had just 2.5 million/10% share at 7pm. And there's another disturbing mismatch at 8pm where ITV1's Heartbeat dropped to 4.7 million/17% share, squeezed by Strictly's results at 8.15pm with 9.5 million/33% share and BBC2's Top Gear at 8pm with 6.5 million/23% share.

That's not much of a foundation on which to build an audience for one of the biggest shows in ITV's locker. I'm a Celebrity… rated 8.9 million/35% share at 9pm on Sunday - did ITV hope it would exceed 9 million? Over on BBC1, Stephen Fry's concluding episode in Alaska at 9pm held its ground pretty well although it inevitably slipped back somewhat to 6.2 million/23% share, down from 6.7 million/26% share the previous week.

With entertainment so rampant, is it any wonder that Dawn Airey dipped into the management transfer market to sign Sky One's Richard Woolfe, he of Gladiators, Cirque de Celebrité and Ross Kemp fame.

But is Five really an entertainment channel, I wonder. Viewers seem to like those factual shows on Five. For instance on Thursday at 8pm, Secrets of the Screaming Man was the channel's second highest rated show with 1.7 million/8% share, helping Five to increase its Thursday primetime share to 5.3%. It might have done better still were it not for the triumphant return of Come Dine with Me, a celebrity special, at 8pm on Channel 4 with 3.3 million/15% share, giving the channel a 10% primetime share, up by 35% on last week.

While the Screaming Man may have been a bit quiet for the tabloids, Five had some noisier factual shows at 10pm - although Madonna & Guy: Where Did It All Go Wrong on Wednesday at 10pm had just 750,000/4% share.

This is my last Broadcast column as I'll be concentrating on other work commitments - I'm handing over to Broadcast's ratings specialist, Jon Rogers. Many thanks for your emails over the past eight years - it's been fun. You can continue the dialogue on my blog at
http://reevellsratings.blogspot.com.”

Source: Broadcast - Philip Reevell

cylon6

22-11-2008

So do you think that all of the press about John Sergeant on Strictly means that it will get a huge audience this evening?

BillKay

22-11-2008

I was looking forward to reaching page 1000

rzt

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“So do you think that all of the press about John Sergeant on Strictly means that it will get a huge audience this evening?”

Yeh, it should get a very big audience tonight. I'm guessing it'll be the most watched non-final episode of Strictly ever (10.4m+). It would need a 45/46/47% share to achieve that, which Strictly is capable of.

cylon6

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by BillKay:
“I was looking forward to reaching page 1000 ”

I was shocked to see I was the thread starter! It's weird to not see Mitch 123's name there.

mattpinder

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“So do you think that all of the press about John Sergeant on Strictly means that it will get a huge audience this evening?”

Probably, it should definitely break the 10m mark. (guess around 10.6m)

Digital Sid

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by rzt:
“DS said they would be splitting long threads around now. Don't like it, but ah well- it's happened.”

They've done it wrongly. They've named two of them "ratings thread" and this one "ratings thread (part 3)" each 1 should be part something.

IMO they should have left it open till new years and just have a new 1 each year.

Spike555

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by Digital Sid:
“They've done it wrongly. They've named two of them "ratings thread" and this one "ratings thread (part 3)" each 1 should be part something.

IMO they should have left it open till new years and just have a new 1 each year.”

I agree, one for each year would be a lot better

D.M.N.

22-11-2008

Originally Posted by Digital Sid:
“They've done it wrongly. They've named two of them "ratings thread" and this one "ratings thread (part 3)" each 1 should be part something.”

No they haven't:

"Ratings Thread" - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=508185
"Ratings Thread (Part 2)" - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=937319
"Ratings Thread (Part 3)" - this thread.

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