Ratings fizzer: The Footy Show draws meagre audience as Gogglebox wins ratings battle

VIEWERS appear to have deserted The Footy Show, with the once mighty ratings stalwart drawing a meagre audience for its season premiere in Melbourne last night.

THE season premiere of The AFL Footy Show was a fizzer, with just 173,000 viewers in Melbourne last night.

Nine’s football show, hosted by Eddie McGuire and Rebecca Maddern with Sam Newman, was beaten by Ten’s Gogglebox which averaged 207,000 viewers.

Nine’s big spending on stars like Chris Judd, Dane Swan and Brendan Fevola failed to do much for the former ratings juggernaut last night — and the pain may just be beginning.

The Footy Show is yet to confront its nemesis, Channel Seven’s popular The Front Bar, which will return in coming weeks.

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Sam Newman, Rebecca Maddern and Eddie McGuire. Picture: Supplied

Sam Newman looked to be back to his old tricks, taking aim at Herald Sun columnist Susie O’Brien with a series of derogatory remarks.

Newman’s barbs included “I am keeping her in business, I reckon she wishes I would chat her up” and “I don’t think she has ever got to worry about the #MeToo movement because I don’t think that will ever visit her”.

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Sam Newman with Dane Swan. Picture: Supplied

Newman, who has a history of controversial moments on the show including appearing in blackface, exposing himself and manhandling a lingerie-clad dummy dressed as footy writer Caroline Wilson, also called O’Brien “delusional”.

The Footy Show endured a year of turmoil last year, with former host Craig Hutchison axed last July amid falling ratings and a silent on-air protest by Newman.

McGuire was quickly signed to front the show and his Jam TV took over production.

By year’s end founding producer Harvey Silver had returned to oversee the 2018 the program.