The Front Bar wins ratings battle after going head-to-head with the Footy Show

PANEL program The Front Bar has drawn first blood in its first battle against the Footy Show, after rising from humble beginnings to take the prime-time slot on Channel 7.

The Front Bar has drawn first blood in its first battle against the Footy Show.

The Channel 7 footy panel program, with Andrew Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang, averaged 169,000 viewers in Melbourne last night.

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Nine’s Footy Show, with Craig Hutchison, Rebecca Maddern and Sam Newman, averaged 164,000.

A Seven spokesperson said the network was chomping at the bit for round two of the ratings battle next week.

“Melbourne loves The Front Bar. It’s fun, cheeky and unpredictable. Whether you’re a footy fan or not and most of us are, there’s a lot to enjoy,” the spokesperson said.

The Front Bar hosts Andrew Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang are toasting a ratings wins in their first Thursday night battle.

“You never really know what Mick, Sam and Andy are up to until the show starts – that’s the magic of it. We can’t wait until next week.”

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Initial figures had the Footy Show averaging 122,000 but Nine was forced to issue a statement correcting that figure citing a coding error.

Quarter-hour breakdowns show that The Front Bar averaged 185,000 between 8.30pm and 8.45pm and 172,000 between 8.45pm and 9pm.

The Footy Show averaged 157,000 and 152,000.

The Footy Show then surged, averaging 169,000 between 9pm and 9.15pm and 166,000 between 9.15pm and 9.30pm.

The Footy Show’s ratings were boosted by a surge after 9pm.

During that time, The Front Bar averaged 166,000 and 163,000.

The Front Bar’s average was helped by the fact that the show only ran until 9.47pm. The Footy Show didn’t finish until 10.34pm.

NITV’s Marngrook Footy Show, which screened from 7.30pm, averaged 13,000 in Melbourne.

The Front Bar had a swift rise to prime-time after humble beginnings as a five-minute webcast.

Co-host Mick Molloy last week told the Herald Sun the show’s 8.30pm screening was a “big move”.

“Everyone’s talking about going head to head,” he said.

“I’m actually more worried about going head to head with Matt Preston on MasterChef. But we are looking forward to getting into prime time and seeing what we can do.”