The Score: Craig Hutchison defends SEN’s poor ratings while Jack Riewoldt takes a step to TV land

THE SCORE: Radio ratings are as much about spin as anything else. So how did SEN CEO Craig Hutchison spin the station’s first ratings survey under his control? Plus, what is Jack Riewoldt doing on the TV?

Craig Hutchison has defended SEN’s ratings. Picture: Jay Town

RADIO ratings are as much about spin as anything else.

There are so many different categories and numbers involved in the process that you can slice and dice it a dozen ways to get the result you want.

This was the challenge facing new SEN boss Craig Hutchison on Tuesday as he digested the first ratings survey for the year.

On the surface the results weren’t great for the sports station.

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Star recruit Gerard Whateley, who replaced the popular Kevin Bartlett in the morning slot, came in at 3.1 which was down on what the Richmond legend (3.5) was generating at the same time last year.

New afternoon host Andy Maher copped a whack, struggling at 2.1 while the drive team of KB and Dr Turf (aka John Rothfield) were down 0.4 rating points compared to what David Schwarz and Mark Allen were chalking up last year.

Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson flew the flag, increasing from 2.7 in the corresponding survey last year to 3.2.

Craig Hutchison has defended SEN’s ratings. Picture: Jay Town

Hutchison wasn’t in the foetal position in his Southbank office, in fact, he was pleasantly surprised and said in golfing parlance it was a “par 72” in the opening round.

He pointed to the increase of 7000 in audience numbers from the last survey of 2017 and a spike of 41,000 more listeners overall from a year ago.

“It’s probably better than what I expected and a sign we’re on the right track,” he said. “It’s not where we ultimately want to get to but it’s a great start.

“We had more listeners, more people gave us a go and it was summer time so I marked it an even par 72 around the course.”

Whether that’s good spin, we’ll know more in a couple of months.

WHAT’S JACK DOING NOW?

WHATEVER Jack Riewoldt does from now on, it’s going to be hard to top singing with The Killers on the MCG an hour after winning the premiership.

But the Richmond spearhead is keen to build on that much lauded performance and tonight is expanding his entertainment portfolio, adding TV host.

Riewoldt is co-hosting Fox Footy’s coverage of the AFL season launch at the Forum Theatre from 9.30pm.

Sarah Jones will be assisting him in what will be a big night for the Tigers with the official premiership flag being presented to president Peggy O’Neal while captain Trent Cotchin will also deliver an address.

Jack Riewoldt singing with the Killers. Picture: Getty Images

Riewoldt has tested the waters in TV as a regular panellist of Fox Footy’s AFL 360 and admits it’s something he’s looking at post career.

“TV is something I enjoy doing,” he said. “Having a first crack at hosting the launch feeds into what I’m passionate about — talking about footy.

“I’ve had two years at the 360 desk so hopefully I know what I’m doing when the cameras start rolling.”

A-LEAGUE LICENCE BID LANDS A BIG FISH

THE fight for an A-League licence in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs has taken a significant step.

The Team 11 bid has its first full-time employee with the Herald Sun’s own Matt Windley becoming its project officer.

He will put away his typewriter at the end of the month to become the driving force of the bid with his role involving marketing, media and liaising with the football clubs and councils in the region to ensure they’re ready when Football Australia comes knocking.

Windley has lived all his life in the area and understands the economical impact an A-League and W-League team would have in the region.

“I am so passionate about football in this country and I truly believe a club in Melbourne’s southeast will add positively to the A-League,” he said.

“But this is a club that is as much about building a better community as it is about football.”

THE WHISPER

Channel Seven’s interest in James Hird is focused around taking a seat on Talking Footy as a replacement for his Essendon premiership teammate Tim Watson who is keen to reduce his workload.