Quibbling rivalry for Seven’s MKR

It’s the first major head-to-head ratings clash of the year: Seven’s My Kitchen Rules up against Nine’s Married At First Sight.

MKR judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans.

It’s the first major head-to-head ratings clash of the year: Seven’s long-running My Kitchen Rules up against Nine’s 2018 hit Married At First Sight.

Seven has been heavily promoting the 10th anniversary of MKR, which kicks off tonight for the first time at the 7pm slot — usually occupied by long-running soap Home And Away — in a bid to get a jump on Married At First Sight, which broadcasts 30 minutes later.

It’s a critical franchise for Seven, particularly with the network’s plans to launch a second edition of MKR later in the year for the first time.

Last year, Married At First Sight put the heat on its seven rival, averaging 1.83 million viewers and 1.33 million metropolitan viewers, compared to MKR’s average of 1.78 million viewers and 1.21 million metropolitan viewers.

MKR’s executive producer Joe Herdman conceded there was “some crossover” with Married, but believes the cooking franchise has a broader appeal.

“Certainly, we’re both reality shows and appeal to similar audiences. But … our broader range of cast allows us to appeal to more people, and we want to appeal to more people,” Mr Herdman said.

“I’m confident our show will be popular. It’s got incredibly skilled and exciting and real people on it. We’ve got some great food, we’ve got big personalities, the heart is there, the drama is there, we’ve made a great show and I’m super-confident that people are going to tune in.”

Returning are MKR’s judges, chefs Manu Feildel and Pete Evans, who will be joined by fellow chef Colin Fassnidge to judge the meals as contestants vie for $250,000.

MKR’s cast includes two outspoken brothers, Josh and Austin from western Sydney, and best friends Andy and Ruby from Brisbane. There’s also husband-and-wife team Mick and Jodie-Anne from country Victoria, plus siblings Amanda and Blake.

“It’s all about the tapestry of the cast; the food is always going to be key for us, people love food, people love cooking shows and that element remains strong for us,” Mr Herdman said.

“To get the recipe right is the most important thing. We spend a lot of time casting. We need people with a genuine passion for food, who love cooking. We need big personalities and we need people from all across Australia and all walks of life.”

Nine’s publicity machine has used the network’s new sporting franchise, the Australian Open, over the past fortnight to promote the new series of Married, which is produced by Endemol Shine Australia.

Married attracted huge attention last year because of the so-called love triangle between key characters including Dean Wells, Tracey Jewel and David Rankin.

Relationship psychologist John Aiken, neuropsychotherapist Trisha Stratford and dating expert and psychologist Mel Schilling are returning to pair 20 singles, using a mix of neuroscience and psychology, “with the aim to create 10 perfect matches”.

Angus Ross, Seven’s director of network programming, said MKR had been a “linchpin for Seven over the last decade, delivering unmatched ratings consistency and dominance across that period”.

“Our viewers and sponsors love MKR because it always delivers certainty of being entertained for the audience and certainty of audience for sponsors,” he said.