MasterChef ratings boost with new judges Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong
Losing Gary, Matt and George seemed like the kiss of death for MasterChef, but last night’s premiere has proved a shake-up was just what the franchise needed. SEE THE RATINGS RESULTS
NSW Coronavirus Hibernation
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus Hibernation. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Losing Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston seemed like it would be the death of MasterChef, but the shake up proved to be a life saver for the long-running cooking show with the best rating premiere since 2015.
The season 12 ‘Back To Win’ premiere smashed expectations with viewership hitting the 1.23 million mark across five national cities and peaked at 1.82 million viewers nationally, up 70 per cent from last year’s premiere and beating ratings juggernaut Married At First Sight’s 2020 season premiere.
Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong’s debut as judges was assisted by the star power of Gordon Ramsay and 11 seasons of returning favourites including Poh Ling Yeow, Callum Hann and Hayden Quinn.
It proved to be a recipe for success with commentator and Mediaweek editor James Manning saying last night was the show’s “best launch in years”.
“You’d want to see a little bit more to say the new judges have helped bring in a new audience but it is a brilliant sign and audiences have really warmed to seeing that former contestants back in the competition,” Manning told Confidential.
“There are plenty of other factors, not least of which is the fact there were no big franchises on Nine. The presence of Gordon Ramsay would have also been a drawcard. He won’t be there every week but nevertheless the new judges couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.”
The full list of contestants includes: Ben Milbourne, Series 4; Ben Ungermann, Series 9; Brendan Pang, Series 10; Callum Hann, Series 2; Chris Badenoch, Series 1; Courtney Roulston, Series 2; Dani Venn, Series 3; Emelia Jackson, Series 6; Harry Foster, Series 8;
Hayden Quinn, Series 3; Jess Liemantara, Series 10; Khanh Ong, Series 10; Laura Sharrad, Series 6; Lynton Tapp, Series 5; Poh Ling Yeow, Series 1; Reece Hignell, Series 10;
Reynold Poernomo, Series 7; Rose Adam, Series 7; Sarah Clare, Series 10; Sarah Tiong, Series 9; Simon Toohey, Series 11; Tessa Boersma, Series 11 and Tracy Collins, Series 6.
ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, Beverley McGarvey, said: “We are so pleased and excited with how Australians have responded to the return of MasterChef Australia. Twelve seasons in and MasterChef Australia is still loved by so many people. Food is a universal theme, particularly in times like these, and our show has always been about the food.
“A big thanks to the massive team, on and off screen who put this show together, thanks to our brand new judges, Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, our brilliant returning contestants and to our wonderful guest judge Gordon Ramsay.
“The cooking, passion and energy in MasterChef Australia this year is amazing and it is going to be a really thrilling season.”
Last night’s premiere came up against Channel 7’s House Rules, which premiered to less than half of MasterChef’s audience last week.
Ratings competition will really heat up next week with the launch of the second season of Lego Masters, hosted by audience favourite Hamish Blake, which premiered to 1.377 million viewers last year and hovered between 1 million and 1.5 million all season.
MasterChef continues tonight at 7.30pm on Channel 10.