Reality bites for the ‘nice’ programs on the commercial networks

A losing night for the three “nice” reality programs, with one seasonal loser confirmed — MasterChef Australia on Ten dropped 116,000 viewers (or 18%) to 521,000 viewers last night from its opening of 637,000. Lego Masters is almost on the losers’ list with a 133,000 (14%) drop to 796,000 for Nine last night after its Monday night opening of 929,000. Seven’s The Voice lost 11.7% of its opening audience of 1.266 million to register 1.118 million last night. So it was Seven’s night, topping Nine, Ten and the ABC.

The trio’s drop is following established viewing patterns for familiar programs — a bit of a tune-in on the return night for a look-see, then a gradual slide over the next couple of nights. MasterChef is already in the loser lane, even for Ten — its cost requires higher figures. Lego Masters is on the edge, especially after all the pre-publicity since the start of the year with the tennis. The Voice on Seven had a short three-night warm-up in the first week of ratings that so far doesn’t seem to have harmed viewing.

All three are back up tonight against Hard Quiz on the ABC, which will sort ‘em out. It’s also the final of Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell tonight after Hard Quiz.

Network channel share:

1. Seven (32.0%)
2. Seven (28.0%)
3. Ten (17.0%)
4. ABC (14.3%)
5. SBS (8.7%)

Network main channels:

1. Seven (23.3%)
2. Nine (20.2%)
3. Ten (11.8%)
4. ABC (10.3%)
5. SBS ONE (5.0%)

Top 5 digital channels: 

1. 7TWO (4.4%)
2. 7mate (3.2%)
3. Gem (2.2%)
4. GO, 9Life, 10 Bold, 10 Peach (2.2%)

Top 10 national programs:

1. Seven News — 1.583 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 1.483 million
3. The Voice (Seven) — 1.118 million
4. Nine News — 1.117 million
5. Nine News 6.30 — 1.110 million
6. A Current Affair (Nine) — 928,000
7. 7pm ABC News — 907,000
8. The Chase Australia 5.30pm (Seven) — 845,000
9. Home and Away (Seven) — 835,000
10. Lego Masters (Nine) — 796,000

Top metro programs:

1. Seven News — 1.038 million

Regional Top 5: Seven News, 545,000; Seven News 6.30, 507,000; The Voice, 384,000; Home and Away, 310,000; ACA, 284,000.

Losers: MasterChef Australia and, yep, Lego Masters.

Metro news and current affairs:

1. Seven News — 1.028 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 977,000
3. Nine News — 840,000
4. Nine News 6.30 — 828,000
5. ACA (Nine) — 644,000
6. 7pm ABC News — 625,000
7. 7.30 (ABC) — 488,000
8. The Project 7pm (Ten) — 373,000
9. 10 News First — 304,000
10. The Project 6.30pm (Ten) — 255,000

Morning (national) TV:

1. Sunrise (Seven) — 395,000/255,000
2. Today (Nine) — 283,000/184,000
3. ABC News Breakfast (ABC) — 255,000/162,000
4. ABC News Mornings — 240,000
5. The Morning Show (Seven) — 231,000
6. Today Extra (Nine) — 168,000
7. Studio 10 (Ten) — 43,000

Top 5 pay TV programs: N/A

1. Paul Murray Live (Sky News) — 88,000
2. Paul Murray Live (Sky News) — 72,000
3. AFL: 360 (Fox Footy) — 66,000
4. Credlin, The Bolt Report (Sky News) — 60,000