Sam Pang Tonight show suffers slip in ratings but Channel 10 happy with its progress

The new Sam Pang tonight show suffered a slip in viewers this week, but after ironing out some creases Channel 10 says it couldn’t be happier with its progress.

The new Sam Pang Tonight show started with a ratings bang and despite a slip in numbers this week, there’s smiles all around.

Pang’s much hyped Monday night debut had a total TV reach of 1.57 million and an average audience of 799,000.

That episode, featuring actor Jack Thompson, had some creases to iron out and this week it found its groove with Boy Swallows Universe actor Felix Cameron and comedian Kitty Flanagan. The numbers were 1.2 million and 575,000 and Network 10 couldn’t be happier with its progress.

Sam Pang Tonight was the no. 1 show in its timeslot.

It was still no. 1 show in its timeslot and the no. 2 entertainment show overall.

Ten said it was a strong episode and a small slide is to expected when a new show airs.

Pang, who has eight episodes in total, will return to co-host Seven’s The Front Bar during Gather Round next month.

Australia hasn’t had such a talk show since Rove McManus ended Rove Live in 2009. In 2019 Network 10 axed Rove McManus’ weekly variety show Saturday Night Rove after just two episodes when it pulled just 138,000 viewers.

Pang said it was the right time.

“It’s not like we looked for a gap in the market or anything,” he told Newscorp.

“I’ve always wanted to do one. I don’t know why this country hasn’t had one (for so long). It’s a bit like the Logies; I don’t know why they didn’t have a host for 12 years.”

Originally published as Sam Pang Tonight show suffers slip in ratings but Channel 10 happy with its progress