Seven edging Nine in neck and neck ratings scrap
Nine might have the buzz shows like MAFS and Ninja Warrior, but Seven is fighting back with the AFL and Front Bar in a neck and neck ratings battle.
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Neck and neck. That is the surprise result of the ratings battle between Channels 7 and Nine so far in 2019.
Nine has had all the buzz shows including Australian Ninja Warrior, Married At First Sight, The Voice, and LEGO Masters but that hasn’t turned into a runaway victory.
Instead, as the second half of the calendar year has ticked over, Seven is sitting on a 29.74 per cent of total audience (consolidated) versus 29.62 for Nine — a wafer thin margin.
The ABC is on 16.8. Ten is on 16.3 and SBS on 7.5.
One of the reasons that the tussle is so close is that Nine has been stacking all of its powerhouse shows into slots between Sunday and Wednesday.
That has left room for Seven, especially in Melbourne to come home with a rush on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Seven’s Thursday nights have been boosted by strong figures for Home And Away and the huge success of The Front Bar.
AFL footy has also been performing exceptionally well for Seven late-week. Telecasts are up around 15 per cent compared to last year thanks to better quality matches.
Seven has also been getting some ratings joy from Andrew Denton’s Interview thanks to high profile stars including Jimmy Barnes and Madonna.
That has gone some way to helping Seven overcome softer-than-expected figures for My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, and The Super Switch.
“What we have seen for years is that Seven tries to contest every half hour right across the week as best they can,” media analyst Steve Allen said.
“Seven has been programming quality dramas after 9pm (including The Good Doctor and 9-1-1) to try and repel switchover plus the AFL is being used more effectively.”
As the second half of the year got underway Nine reloaded. The new season of Australian Ninja Warrior which was filmed in Melbourne has averaged around 1 million viewers across the five capital cities.
The Block, filmed in St. Kilda and returning to screens next month is also expected to deliver big numbers for Nine.
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Seven will be fighting back with a new version of Australia’s Got Talent plus Aussie dramas Between Two Worlds and Secret Bridesmaids’ Business.
The Real Full Monty 2 — Ladies’ Night, with a cast including Home And Away’s Lynne McGranger, model Rachael Finch, and singer Casey Donovan is also in the mix.
Where Nine has the edge over Seven is in the 25 to 54 demographic with 33.2 per cent to 29.5. Nine is also well ahead in 16 to 39 with 33.1 to 30.3.
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