Holey Moley, I’m A Celebrity 2021 defeat MAFS Reunion in TV ratings

It appears the bubble is bursting on Australia’s obsession with Married At First Sight and a new reality show is ready to take its place.

It appears the bubble is bursting on Australia’s obsession with Married At First Sight.

The reality show’s 2021 kick off with a highly publicised reunion special failed to reach the magic million viewer ratings heights of previous seasons.

Sunday night’s episode was beaten by the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! winner announcement while last night viewers tuned in to the launch of Seven’s new format, Holey Moley, over MAFS.

Holey Moley Australia. Picture: Paul A. Broben

Last night, Holey Moley triumphed with a five city metro audience of 983,000 people, more than 200,000 viewers higher than MAFS at 781,000.

That is a decline of nearly 30 per cent on MAFS 2019 ratings average.

Including regional figures, Holey Moley brought in an impressive 1.519 million viewers, compared to MAFS at 1.057 million.

It comes as a major blow to Nine as it prepares to launch the eighth season of MAFS after much suffering major backlash against the previous series for going “too far” with reality dramatics.

“Australia is clearly gripped by minigolf mania. It’s a real thrill to see a new format for the network hit a hole-in-one with audiences,” Channel 7 programming boss Angus Ross said. “The right mix of exceptional presenter talent, high production value and just a little bit of weirdness has provided Australians with a welcome addition to their evening viewing. We’re very happy with last night’s performance and are looking forward to the show’s continued success.”

MAFS reunion special.

Nine program director Hamish Turner however said the network is “thrilled” with the reunion specials.

“All this sets the stage for a big Q1 (first quarter) with the Australian Open starting Monday and audiences eagerly anticipating the brand new Season of MAFS, which launches Monday February 22nd,” Turner said.

Commentator James Manning said that while disappointing for the broadcaster, the test will come with the new seasons ratings.

“A hastily organised reunion show was probably never going to rate as well as a proper series launch,” the Mediaweek editor said. “The format can only really be judged once the new season starts properly later this month. The ratings last night though prove that Australians love minigolf. Seven have certainly so far successfully challenged Nine’s ownership of the start of the ratings season.”

Originally published as Holey Moley, I’m A Celebrity 2021 defeat MAFS Reunion in TV ratings