Network Ten’s innovative ‘pilot week’, where eight potential new shows are given a chance to get picked-up for 2019, got off to an ignominious start last night after both programs failed to pull significant audiences.
Comedy show Skit Happens – which appeared to take pot shots at rival network’s programs – managed a mere 350,000. While one skit on the show, that poked fun at people with autism, has this morning been labelled “offensive in the extreme”.
Ex-politician Sam Dastyari’s Disgrace! chat show fared even worse with a peak of just 229,000, although reports this morning suggest it got far better reviews on social which will make for interesting reading for network chiefs.
In worst news for Ten, it managed only 12.5 per cent audience share last night and was soundly beaten into fourth spot by the ABC that had a strong night with 17.3 per cent. Seven won Sunday night – on the back of its multi channels – pulling 32.5 per cent, while Nine was an unlucky second with 30.1 per cent. SBS had 7.6 per cent.
Nine’s The Block was the most watched show of the night, pulling an impressive 1.12 million eyeballs.
Seven’s 6pm news (1.08 million) saw off rival Nine’s (1.03 million). However, 60 Minutes (621,000) turned the tables on Sunday Night (567,000).
Little Big Shots also did well for Seven, managing 883,000.
On top of its ‘pilot’ programs, Ten’s best was All Aussie Adventures that pulled 629,000, while The Sunday Project had an off night, managing a mere 334,000.
Rake led the charge for the ABC, it pulled 715,000. Its 7pm news bulletin posted 702,000, Grand Designs had 573,000 and Vera had 278,000.
SBS’ best was the classic movie The Blues Brothers which enjoyed 227,000.