And they're off...

The 2007 ratings season for televison kicked off last night with hype, fanfare and predictions that Channel Seven will actually become number 1 in 07. The year has been set up as the closest yet with Seven having the crop of US series plus the highest rating local produce should see the network take poll position for the year.

Seven have launched a killer scheduele across the major rating days Sunday – Thursday squeezing Desperate Housewives, Lost, Prison Break, Dancing With the Stars and Border Security into the market along with hopefuls Hereos, Ugly Betty and Brothers and Sisters. 7 now have a challenge worthy Sunday night with Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy squaring off with 60 Minutes and CSI, the leaders of Sunday night.

Over zealous programming by Seven may however be a downfall, with so many good shows on now – what will be broadcast in the second half of the year?

Nine will be backing their Sunday success with 20 to 1 repeats, 60 Minutes and CSI to hold their mantle as Number 1 on Sundays. Seven poses a real threat and Ten with Big Brother and Australian Idol later this year will also make Sundays the one to watch.

Quiz shows are also the flavor for 2007 with Seven’s The Rich List looking competitive against Nine’s 1 V 100. The ratings for both have been impressive just far, but how long can it last?

Ten has chipped in with The Con Test but this seems destined to fail and will be pulled within a few episodes.

Nine are backing their CSI franchise, Without A Trace, Cold Case, McLeods Daughters, RPA, Missing Persons Unit, Getaway, Whats Good For You who all pull good ratings to be the backbone of the Nine schedule in 2007. Don’t forget Hotel Babylon returns for a short and sweet second season which is a top-rating drama.

Experimenting with new programs such as 1 v 100, The Lost Tribes, Mania, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Kidnapped and Sea Patrol all appear to be gambles. For a start, Studio and Kidnapped have all ready been cancelled in the US this year.

Justice on the other hand another series that has been cancelled shows potential as quick speed, high profile legal drama sure to cause a stir in the ratings. This is my bolter for 2007 and the concept Mania which debuted as Abbamania last year hosted by Richard Wilkins and Bec Hewitt, but there are a few flops too.

Australia’s Got Talent will not get off the ground. This looks like any other talent show and I will be surprised if it rates.

The Lost Tribes is a terrible concept for a show, another reality television mistake that Nine should never have commissioned. It makes you wonder if it will debut much like the promotion of Rome and Invasion (which was never seen) in 2006.

Seven have the power and the scheduling to win 2007. Nine will bank on familiarity and its unparalleled ability to have ‘the big news stories’ and leading coverage of sport.

Losing the AFL to Seven and Ten could hurt Nine badly as a number of South-Western state audiences will be lost.

It’s shaping up as a huge year in 2007 and we as the audiences can only benefit from better quality television as the networks compete for ratings glory.