Wide World of Sport hosting talent

Adam Gilchrist made his co-hosting television debut this morning for Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports. Along side stalwart Ken Sutcliffe, Gilchrist settled in well and looked very natural.

Gilly has been admired and loved by Australians for his cricketing success and gentlemanly approach to people. This should serve Gilly well as he makes the transition from sportsman to mediaman.

Cricket is the sport that Nine will utilise Gilchrist for but this morning he proved to be an excellent interviewer, commentator displaying a wide array of knowledge.

For a first performance Gilchirst give a huge indication that he has a big future in television. Last week former Australian cricket and Channel Nine commentator Michael Slater co-hosted with Sutcliffe and also performed amicably.

Slater has brought an injection of new blood to Nine’s cricket commentary team which has complimented veterans Tony Greig, Bill Lawry and ‘Cricket God’, Richie Beanud.

What Slater has accomplished in his few years on screen has been well documented and from tomorrow morning, he joins Terry Kennedy on 2KY as the co-host of New South Wales’ only dedicated Sports Breakfast Show, “The Big Sports Breakfast” from 6-9AM.

Co-hosting Wide World of Sports last week was another step in the right direction for Slater’s career but he appeared a little edgy, nervous and stumbled a few times. On the other hand, Gilchrist had an almost smooth ride but both personalities are valuable to Nine’s cricket and sport coverage.

From 2010, Channel Nine will broadcast both the winter and summer Olympic Games. Planning would have surely all ready started and for the likes of Gilchrist and Slater, their on air presence and involvement at these events could become very important to the network

The Olympic Swimming Trials that wrapped up last night were a strong and very proud meet for the sport as they prepare for Beijing. Not only are their new household sporting star names such as Stephanie Rice, Eamon Sullivan to go with Libby Trickett (formerly Lenton), Grant Hacket and Jessicah Schipper but another swimming commentator was also unveiled in Giaan Rooney.

Rooney complimented Nicole Livingstone and Duncan Armstrong as the best interviewers and analysers in the sport, matched by the best caller, Ray Warren.

Armstrong will be heard at the Olympics as he has defected to Seven but expect to hear his voice back on the Nine coverage after Beijing.

When Warren was unable to commentate because of Rugby League commitments on Friday, Fox Sports Mark Braybrook called the race and did a very impressive call.

Braybrook is a former 2UE and 2GB sports presenter who was back-up to Ray Hadley before switching to Fox. His commentary style was not as anninmated or loud as Warren but very impressive when he was calling Eamon Sullivan’s breaking of the 50M world record.

Note, Ray Warren made a comment to Armstrong about the 2012 Olympics in London and indicated he would not be there. Four years is a long time but this may indicate Warren’s intentions to retire.

If so, Braybrook would be valuable to Nine as not only a swimming caller but also as the second Rugby League caller, to Andrew Voss, Warren’s heir apparent.

Wide World of Sports still do the best job in sports coverage in Australia showcased with their Rugby League, Cricket, Swimming and the Wide World of Sports show itself. Despite Seven's sensational Olympics coverage which hits our screens in August, Nine will all ready be planning to do one better from 2010.

Oldfield Overnight

2GB have confirmed that former New South Wales MP and One Nation Executive, David Oldfield will carry the station overnight from midnight-5AM each weekday.

Oldfield replaces Jim Ball who defected to 2UE earlier this month and takes over the reigns from Ball’s previous producer, Mark Kennedy who has been warming the chair until a permanent host was found.

Oldfield filled in for Ball over summer and was confirmed to fill-in through out 2008 but now he has his very own show albeit in the wee small hours.

He is the right fit for 2GB as Oldfield can be considered to be from the ‘right perspective’ that matches breakfast host Alan Jones political ideology.

Mark Kennedy who previously worked on Sydney’s WSFM as the breakfast producer and occasional host may be returning to a producing role with the overnight show but his on-air personality will hopefully find him his own slot. Kennedy has a naturally smooth speaking voice and should be utilised by 2GB.

From midnight tonight, March 31 David Oldfield can be heard on 2GB 873.

Wheeler gets the axe as 2UE mixes up weekends and welcomes back Robertson

Radiorumours.com reported on Wednesday that Glenn Wheeler has been axed from his weekend afternoon show and today 2UE has confirmed that Clive Robertson who most recently presented the overnight show is now presenting every Saturday and Sunday from 2-6pm.

Last weekend change was made to the weekend schedule bumping Don Burke to 6AM with George and Paul now coming on at 8AM until 2PM. Possibly Wheeler’s shift being slashed from 6 to 4 hours caused his departure as he believes he offers more than the six hour weekend show he was presenting before it got slashed to 4 hours.

Robertson is a good move for 2UE and was wasted overnights. He is quirky, funny, more interesting and entertaining than Wheeler and has a very strong lead in from George and Paul that UE hope will sustain an audience that Wheeler has struggled to hold.

2UE have fiddled with their weekends hoping to increase ratings and advertising revenue that would be decreasing with an underperforming weekday schedule.

Robertson starts tomorrow from 2PM on 2UE.

Nine taking the fight to Seven

It is great to see Channel Nine getting serious about the ratings, launching an impressive post-Easter line-up in competition to a number of debuting shows on Seven, the current Number 1 television network in Australia.

From Sunday Nine moves CSI to 8:30PM going head to head with Grey’s Anatomy followed on Nine by Without A Trace which is up against Brothers And Sisters. Seven’s Grey’s and Brothers have struggled to capture 2007 ratings figures while CSI has been constantly beating Desperate Housewives on Mondays.

Nine may struggle in the earlier part of the evening with Georgie Parker’s Animal Emergency so far failing to fire, similarly Royal Flying Doctor Service is hurting the network which is up against the returning series, Gladiators.

Gladiators will probably have initial success but will not sustain a large enough audience that will encourage a second new series. Police Files Unlocked and My Name is Earl will come up against 60 Minutes which has proven fragile in its opening weeks of the new season, not commanding the same numbers the show is use to.

Ten also take the fight to Sunday’s with The Biggest Loser, So You Think You Can Dance and the return of Rove, mixing things up and making the viewers’ choice difficult.

Monday’s are also becoming competitive with Nine offering an alternative to Border Security/Serious Crash Unit double act, launching a new Quizmaster in a new Quiz Game, The Power of 10 hosted by Today weatherman Steve Jacobs at 7:30PM followed by the second series of Sea Patrol and CSI: NY.

The Sea Patrol versus Desperate Housewives battle will be interesting to note because Ten’s option of the Melbourne International Comedy Fest Gala will struggle.

Tuesday’s will still be a struggle for Nine but with a glimmer of hope at 8:30PM with Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares which has for the last two weeks been the most popular show of its timeslot even beating Seven’s It Takes Two but that did nothing towards helping Nine win the night as it was beaten by Seven and Ten on Tuesday March 25 with The Moment of Truth bombing with only 725,000 viewers and Terminator fairing even worse with 661,000 viewers.

Wednesday’s are still Nine with Underbelly delivering a victory in all markets where it is shown but The Chopping Block at 7:30 has struggled up against RSPCA: Animal Rescue & The Real Sea Change on Seven but at 8:30PM Seven raise the white flag asking their viewers to turn over to Nine as they show movies instead.

Thursday’s should become more interesting with Seven scheduling Samantha Who and How I Met Your Mother from 7:30 followed by The Ghost Whisperer going head to head with Nine’s Getaway and new found success, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

Friday’s will be won by Seven who still screen Better Homes and Gardens and either movies/AFL depending on the market while Nine backs their Rugby League/movie combination.

Saturday has been proving to be the deciding night for television which is become very competitive and Seven is becoming very aggressive returning The Great Outdoors followed by Michael Palin’s New Europe, Lewis and Forensic Investigators which is up against Nine’s Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show which has failed to fire with Shelly Craft as presenter and movies.

Nine should perform well next week and could possibly win the week. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights appear possible nights that Nine could win while Tuesdays will struggle with Moment of Truth and Terminator and Saturday’s are anyone’s guess.

Nine’s biggest problem has been the 7-8:30PM slot which has not been served well by Two and a Half Men which screens weeknights at 7 and then a host of other shows from Monday-Friday which are continually being beaten by Seven and sometimes Ten.

So far Nine have had, A Year With the Royal Family on Monday’s which has now been replaced by The Power of Ten. Tuesdays Nine have tried Monster House, 20 to 1 and now The Moment of Truth which surely will be axed if not all ready.

The Chopping Block has not fired on Wednesday’s and Getaway has been bouncing around the one million mark like a yoyo despite still being Nine’s most successful 7:30PM program.

Temptation is coming back which should increase numbers from 7-7:30 but it will never defeat Home and Away. Whilst in the 7:30-8:30 slots Nine still has McLeod’s Daughters, The Farmer Wants A Wife to return and possibly yet another installment of 20 to 1.

New series which could feature in these open slots include Domestic Blitz to be hosted by Scott Cam and Shelly Craft but this could end up being Nine’s 6:30PM Sunday night show which has also struggled having tried This is Your Life and now the Animal Emergency/Royal Flying Doctor Service is not flying so high with the ratings.

Search and Rescue, Fire 000, The Waiting Room, Hole in the Wall, The Salon, I Know My Kid’s A Star are possible 7:30-8:30PM shows.

Nine will be crossing their fingers and hoping The Power of Ten delivers because the above list do not look threatening. Perhaps Nine should look at what has worked in the past, dare I say Burke’s Backyard, Hey Hey It’s Saturday or maybe even Backyard Blitz.

The sleaves have been rolled up and the gloves are on, the ratings battlefield is about to get very interesting.

2GB and 2DAYFM own Sydney Radio

Sydney Radio Ratings 2, Sunday January 17 - Saturday March 15, 2008

2GB still reigns the airwaves in Sydney (13.2%) after the second survey results whilst 2DAY FM (11.6%) increase their lead over NOVA and ABC 702 (10%) still stand in double figures.

Despite 2GB’s dominance, they are down 1.7% to the first survery whilst key breakfast and morning shows hosted by Alan Jones (16.5%) and Ray Hadley (15.3%) are down by almost 2.5% each but daylight is their closest challenger.

Having said that, Adam Spencer goes from strength to strength as an AM alternative, increasing his breakfast share to 11.3% while new Morning’s Presenter, Deborah Thomas held her audience but aftrenoon’s and drive are down but new evenings presenter Andrew Daddo has impressed (10.6%), the second most popular evening show behind the 2GB combination of Murray Wilton and Brian Wilshere.

2UE’s Mike and Sandi experiment dropped another percentage point (5.9%) but the station is up 0.2% overall with Tim Webster’s Afternoon Show (5.2%) increasing by 0.5%, John Stanley’s drive show (6.1%) increasing by 1.6% and Stuart Bocking (7.6%) up 0.4% proving to be the stations number one weekday show.

On the FM band, 2DAYFM are continuing to beat NOVA with the Kyle and Jackie O Brekafast show (12.3%) increasing it’s lead by 1.4% while NOVA’s Merrick & Rosso & Kate Rithcie (7.5%) dropped 0.7%.

2DAYFM hold 11.6% of the total audience share with Hamish & Andy (13.2%) being the most popular Sydney drive show followed by ABC 702’s Richard Glover. NOVA’s drive show, The Wrong Way Home (9.9%) which recently added former Get This! Co-host Ed Kavalee to it’s team dropped ratings by 0.2% while Triple M, WSFM and Mix hover around the 6-7% mark.

The second ratings results tell a lot to station programmers because listeners have now had two months to make up their mind on whether newcomers are worthy of listening to or to stick with the proven formulas.

Austereo will be happy with 2DAYFM’s Kyle and Jackie O, who are still the most listened to Breakfast Show for the stations demographic while the Hamish & Andy juggernaut have re-signed for three more years setting the station up for a successful 2008.

NOVA would be slightly worried that the addition of Kate Ritchie to breakfast has altered ratings, the wrong way but there is still time for Kate to settle into her new gig.

2GB look to have weathered any onslaught from a NEW 2UE line-up who are struggling to find an audience but GB will welcome a challenge from the public broadcaster whose presenter’s will surely be on the radar of 2UE executives.

2008 is shaping up as a 2GB, 2DAYFM domination of their respective brands. Note neither station made any changes to their week-day line-up’s from last year, except Jim Ball’s defection from GB to UE this month.

Jim Ball takes 2UE into the new day

From tomorrow morning Jim Ball will host New Day Australia on 2UE.

Midnight until 5:30AM, Ball will bring his successful and Number 1, top rating over-night show to the embattled Sydney station.

Ball replaces Clive Robertson who left 2UE in February but Ball's decision to leave 2GB is bizarre considering he was on Sydney’s Number 1 AM station and his overnight show was the highest rating.

Perhaps Ball’s appointment will improve weekday ratings or maybe he is biding his time and has been promised a better slot, perhaps evenings if Stuart Bocking fails.

2UE have other personalities capable of presenting the mid-dawn shift such as Glenn Wheeler, News Director Clinton Maynard or Saturday Night host, Ian McRae. The latter two have been hosting the show, alternating with John Kerr since Robertson left.

Perhaps Wheeler perceives his presentation is better than the wee smaller hours plus his television commitments with Seven’s, The Morning Show while Ian McRae runs a successful radio training school.

Maynard is still a raw presenter and may have been considered to be too inexperienced to sustain an overnight audience.

Other overnight possibilities include George & Paul’s roving reporter, Peter Higgins who presented a few mid-dawn’s in 2007 with no reward. Despite having interesting topics of conversation and a very likable approach to the show, Higgins has not been heard on the overnight show in some time.

Whatever Ball’s decision is to move to UE, probably monetary, he will hope to assist the weekday line-up which has struggled so far in 2008.

If ratings do not increase expect Fairfax to make some changes and the personalities who are currently not presenting shows or presenting shows in time-slots that they believe are ‘beneath them’ might actually be behind the microphone at a time they want sooner than they think.

Seven take Week 5

Channel Seven have clinched the all important fifth week of television ratings and head into the Easter break leading three weeks to Nine’s two.

It was looking like anyone’s game heading into Saturday after Nine’s blockbuster Thursday night which saw Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares: UK succeeding RPA as the Number 1 show on a Thursday night and another Thursday night win for Nine.

RPA has been a very successful series for Nine, so to move Ramsay into that slot and succeed with 1.5 million viewers was very important for the network. Getaway’s numbers just over the 1 million mark while The Footy Show surprisingly debuted strongly with 1.2 million viewers nationally.

Seven struggled on Thursday with The Amazing Race at 7:30 the only Seven show after 7:30 able to crack seven figures with Family Guy, Out of The Question, Lost and American Dad closer to the 500 000 mark.

Nine won Thursday and again narrowly won Friday with its combination of Live Rugby League/Airline and Miss Congeniality propelling them to within 0.3 of Seven heading into Saturday.

Nine bombed on Saturday with the once very successful Australia’s Funniest Home Video’s returning terrible figures of 859,000 while the repeats of Shrek 2 and The Longest Yard struggled to get half a million viewers.

Saturday’s poor performance left Seven with a win with final figures reading:

Seven 28.2%Nine 27.6%Ten 22.5%ABC 16.6%SBS 5.1%

Now we take a two week break to let the Easter Bunny visit, the networks refresh and the rest of the year takes charge. AFL will be in full swing and a host of new shoes launched which will make things interesting.

Don't get too comfortable over the Easter break.

4 weeks on… Its Nine and Seven with 2 a piece

The cricket finals helped Channel Nine win the fourth week of ratings in 2008 with strong performances on Sunday March 2 and the following Tuesday which were the two most popular shows securing Nine the all important fourth week.

Underbelly, RPA and CSI returned all holding their audiences and winning the important 8:30PM prime time slots throughout the week although their 7-8:30PM slot needs some work.

The cries for Burke’s Backyard to return to a weekly series hit a speed bump with the latest instalment, ‘Autumn Special’ bombing, being defeated by almost double the amount of viewers by Better Homes and Gardens.

Nine did manage to win the fourth week however, which looked like this:

Nine: 29.1%
Seven: 27.3%
Ten: 22.4%
ABC: 16.0%
SBS: 5.3%

Week 5 has started in Nine’s favour with 60 Minutes return capturing 1.2 million viewers to be the third most popular show behind Seven News and So You Think You Can Dance Australia in first place with 1.5 million viewers. Nine also screened Wedding Crashers which sustained an audience of 1.1 million being the sixth most popular show.

The ‘one-off’ This is Your Life of Lleyton Hewitt was a miss, not even reaching 900 000 viewers, placing the series in fourteenth place. Nine still won Sunday, with Ten Second and Seven 0.1% behind in third, making the night look like this:

TEN: 26.2%
NINE: 28.7%
SEVEN: 26.5%
ABC: 14.0%S
BS: 4.6%

With no cricket this week and no RPA will Nine be able to win the week?

They are launching a few new series and have adjusted their schedule slightly. Tuesday has troubled Nine for the last two years and has so far proven difficult against It Takes Two.

This week Nine will show the much-talked about controversial American show, “Moment of Truth” followed by Kitchen Nightmares and now Terminator will screen at the later 9:30PM slot.

Thursdays have also been tweaked with RPA concluding, Kitchen Nightmares moves to Thursdays and The Footy Show returns to 9:30 while Friday night Rugby League will dominate the screen from 7:30.

With the change of seasons and the AFL season still being a week away will Nine be able to go into the Easter Break with three weeks under their belt or will Seven bring home the bacon?

I highly doubt Seven will lose a week for the rest of the year, but stranger things have happened.

Still to screen for Seven is Gladiators, starting Sundays soon plus Australia’s Got Talent must return, Where Are They Now?, City Homicide, Dancing With the Stars and more.

Nine will again mix things up in the coming weeks launching Animal Emergency, Sensing Murder, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Search and Rescue as well as the final series of McLeod’s Daughters and host of new Aussie dramas to launch in 2008.

The ratings race continues

Unearthing the next 'Gilchrist'

Adam Gilchrist has changed the way Australia play one day cricket as an aggressive attacking batsmen with an average of 36 and a strike-rate of 97 he intimidated opening bowlers and punised them to all parts of the park.

Gilchrist is arguably the most attacking opening one day batsmen of all time along with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya. Australia’s success is due in large part to Gilchrist’s efforts at the top of the order as he always got the innings going.

Minus Gilchrist it will be a new look and new strategy with more conservatives Michael Clarke, James Hopes and Michael Hussey as possible opening contenders within the Australian one day team or will the selectors opt for, ‘the next Gilchrist’?

Wicketkeeping successor Brad Haddin is a successful attacking batsmen in the Gilchrist mould but generally has not opened for his state, New South Wales. Averaging 33 with the bat in state one day cricket with an impressive strike rate of 92.

Haddin’s limited opportunities with the bat in the Australian colours have seen him float from Number 3, to Number 7 in the batting order where his average is 29 striking at 79.

Haddin is capable of possibly emulating Gilly but he will find his feet within the team first and there are other options.

Looking into the crystal ball Luke Ronchi has starred with the bat as an opener in Western Australia striking at 104.63 in 42 one-day matches for his state while 23 year old Aiden Blizzard from Victoria’s statistics may not look fantastic but at a twety20 level he strikes at 191.

While Ronchi and Blizzard may come on and become regular members of the Australian team in a few years, Victorian Captain Cameron White could emulate Gilchrist’s attacking prowess at the top of the order.

Despite not opening the batting for his state or his country, he has had experience at the top level and is a very clean striker of the ball. His statistics back up a possible move to the top of the order.

In his 16 one day matches for Australia, White has been batting at Number 7 or Number 8 and averages 22.42 striking at 116.

Playing for Victoria, White has played 108 matches, with 3 centuries, batting in the top order averaging 32.70 with a strike rate of 80.

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has praised the Indian team for brining youth into the one day team and believes the Australians should consider doing the same. White is still only 24 and a brilliant captain and fielder, a worthy addition to the Australian outfit.

White may not have the same instant success that Gilchrist has had but scouring the country, he is the best qualified and experienced at a young age.

Other batsmen in line for Australian honours are David Hussey, Adam Voges and Luke Pomersbach but all of them, except Pomersbach are not in the same attacking mould as Gilchrist or White.

This is what the selectors should do, select White and partner him with Matthew Hayden at the top of the order, a masterstroke that won’t be detected by other teams and Australia have a quality batsmen capable of striking the ball to all parts of the ground.

Why change a winning formula?

Image copyright of Getty Images.

Goodbye Gilly & Heroic Hoggy

The State of Australian Cricket

The Australian cricket stocks have been thinned with the retirements of Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hogg whose International careers concluded tonight. For Gilchrist we celebrate the most successful wicket-keeper batsmen of all time.

Gilly revolutionized the role of a wicket keeper and was the most damaging attacking batsmen we have seen in the modern era, loved by all Australians.

While the celebrations for Gilchrist will continue its Brad Hogg whose name maybe left of the list of retirees who tonight bowed out as 12th man. A slap in the face to the best Australian spinner currently playing the game, our second most successful one day spinner of all time.

Australia’s decision to leave Hogg out of the 2nd final is an absolute disgrace especially when part time spinners, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds bowled 13 overs between them and to add further injury to insult, Hogg’s replacement Stuart Clark only bowled 6 overs for 32 runs and one wicket.

Rubbing salt into that wound, Australia only lost by 10 runs which dare I say could have been scored by a better tail-end batsmen, namely Brad Hogg.

Hogg’s credentials, his lively enthusiasm, wagging tongue were sorely missed in the 2nd final and the service he has given the game and his country to be left out of the final is a dishonor to a distinguished career.

The Australian batsmen lost the team the series, not looking stable or in form throughout the month long competition with only Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting scoring centuries, while no one averaged over 50.

It was the bowlers lead by Nathan Bracken who took 21 wickets at 16 and Brett Lee, 16 wickets at 22 that kept Australia in the competition.

Ponting’s captaincy will once again come under fire with a bewildering decision in today’s final to take Jame Hopes off at a crucial time when his tight line and length bowling with 0/20 (6). Hopes was replaced by Lee who went for almost 20 off his final two overs. Doing the maths, that decision may have cost Australia the game.

As the sun sets on Hoggy and Gilly’s careers the Australian cricket team will return to the drawing board not knowing who will be the next spinner and what affect the retirements of those plus Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will have on shaping the new team.

For one, Nathan Bracken must now be a certainty for a test recall with no obvious spinner deserving a chance in the side. As Matthew Hayden’s feet become more and more itchy, its now a matter of time before he joins his mates in the grandstands.

A new era of Australian cricket heroes is being developed as pressure will initially be on Ricky Ponting whilst Brett Lee, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey together with Hayden and Ponting appear to be the only players guaranteed of positions, although more consistency is needed from them all.

Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson have had mixed summers with the ball, Clark not looking as dangerous as he did against the English and struggling in the one day arena. Johnson is developing, having a mixed test and one day series.

James Hopes looks like he has the one day all-rounder role sealed with impressive performances with both bat and ball.

Brad Haddin will replace Gilchrist in both the test and one-day arena and expect either Hopes or Clarke to move up the order to open the batting with Hayden in the shorter form of the game.

Luke Ronchi is now the wicket-keeper in waiting who is also a dangerous batsman or Queensland gloveman Chris Hartley.

On the batting front, David Hussey appears to be at the top of the queue with Adam Voges, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Marcus North and Luke Pomersbach all hovering.

Fast bowling stocks are somewhat thinning but Doug Bollinger and Ashley Noffke lead the charge with Ben Hilfenhaus, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Ben Edmenson, Steve Magoffin and young Victorian quick, Peter Siddle starting to make their presence felt.

Shane Warne’s retirement has opened a Pandora’s Box with Brad Hogg joining Warne in retirement and Stuart MacGill's future unknown.

Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain has been sounded out but at 35 he doesn’t seem like a strategically sensible decision. Bracken must fill that vacated fourth bowling spot in the test side while the Australian spin stocks have time to develop.

For that development to occur each state must field a spin bowler in every Pura Cup and ING Cup game and be given ample opportunity to bowl.

Four spin bowlers I consider need to be watched are Xavier Doherty, Aaron Heal, Nathan Hauritz and Beau Casson. In the one day team however Queensland all-rounder Chris Simpson may be the answer as he can both bat and bowl off leg spin.

All that is assured is an unsure and uncertain future. Perhaps the golden run that the Australian cricket team has had since 1995 is coming to an end and the Indian’s are waking.

Taking nothing away from the Indian’s performance in the Commonwealth Bank Series as they thoroughly deserved the trophy, being the better of the two teams.

Just who will make up the next Australian XI could be anyone’s guess, I would choose the following:

ONE DAY XI

1 Matthew HAYDEN
2 Michael CLARKE
3 Ricky PONTING
4 Michael HUSSEY
5 Andrew SYMONDS
6 Brad HADDIN
7 David HUSSEY
8 James HOPES
9 Brett LEE
10 Ashley NOFFKE
11 Nathan BRACKEN
12th MAN: David HUSSEY

TEST XI
1 Matthew HAYDEN
2 Phil JAQUES
3 Ricky PONTING
4 Michael HUSSEY
5 Michael CLARKE
6 Andrew SYMONDS
7 Brad HADDIN
8 Brett LEE
9 Mitchell JOHNSON
10 Nathan BRACKEN
11 Stuart CLARK
12th MAN: David HUSSEY

O.2% give Seven Week 3

Three weeks into the 2008 Television Ratings race and Seven leads two weeks to Nine’s one. It was 0.2% of the audience share that gave Seven the third week of ratings.

Perhaps all Nine needed was Underbelly to air in Victoria and then they could have had the week which read:

Seven 28.1%Nine 27.9%Ten 21.0%ABC 16.6%SBS 6.4%

RSPCA Animal Rescue that airs on Wednesday nights at 7:30PM was Australia’s most popular show last week, followed by Australia v India Session 2 of the cricket last Sunday night.

Seven had five of the Top 10 shows including RSPCA Animal Rescue, The Force, Border Security, Seven News Sunday and Seven News.

Nine featured only three programs in the Top 10 with the Cricket, National Nine News and RPA while Ten had two spots with So You Think You Can Dance Australia? And the Results show.

Notably all Top 10 programs were Australian produced, either reality, news or sporting genre with the first imported show, be that an imported drama at Number 13, Desperate Housewives which commanded 1.34 million viewers.

Perhaps if Nine didn’t show the Oscars (which rated poorly, the 60th most popular show with only 800 000 viewers) instead screening CSI, Nine might not only have had the most popular imported drama, but also Week 3.

Despite not screening in Victoria, Underbelly has maintained its audience with 1.2 million viewers as the 18th most popular show and Australia’s # 1 drama ahead of All Saints which trails by only 100 000 viewers.

Week 4 has started with the momentum to Channel Nine who had 34.6% of last night’s audience share with thanks to the first final of the cricket, while Seven were almost 10% behind on 25%.

CSI is back tonight on Nine and Tuesday will be boosted by the do or die cricket final on Tuesday, Underbelly on Wednesday and RPA plus Kitchen Nightmares: USA on Thursday. Should the cricket require a third final this Friday then Channel Nine will steamroll this week and make it two all.

2UE: Talking Sydney?

That is what they claim but with only 5.6% of the audience share, is anyone listening?

Unfortunately the embattled station got a whole lot worse with the first Nielsen Radio Ratings survey results losing 1.7% which indicted the network was now in 2CH (5.4%) territory.

Life after John Laws has hindered the station not helped as they predicted it would. Schedule changes from breakfast through drive were made in attempt to freshen the schedule but it has sent the ratings downward.

When the line-up was revealed in January I held reservations about the new schedule and these have been proven with the first rating results.

Breakfast was a public dilemma after Peter FitzSimons announced he was leaving Mike Carlton last year along with Lawsie. I think Fitz got out at the right time as the platform that Carlton and new partner Sandi Alioisi have created has sent the station backward dropping 0.8% of its audience to new lows of 6.8%.

Mike and Sandy will take some time to find their feet but they need a quick turn around now because its advertising revenue will dip significantly with a smaller audience share.

Steve Price is presenting a polished and informative magazine show which is different and covers a wide array of topics throughout the mornings. Unfortunately he too has lost ground losing 2.1% of Laws’ audience hovering around the 5% mark. His show is better than what his figures indicate with none of the negative ranting, raving and whingeing that you here with Ray Hadley.

2GB have the edge with Alan Jones taking an unbeatable lead lifting his share by 5% peaking at 19.1. It has paid off for 2GB by working Jones until 10AM allowing Hadley to go through until 1PM which has an affect over three conventional rating blocs.

Tim Webster faced the largest decline of previous audience share, shading 2.6% to be at 4.7 beaten by 2CH but this comes as no surpirse. I don’t like his show and I don’t like his presentation style in the afternoon. He would be better suited to Breakfast or Drive but I don’t think he would excel in either of those.

Webster comes across tongue-tied showing signs of being unprepared and a colloquial speaking style using terms such as ‘ya’ which some may argue is more conversational, but not on a major metropolitan AM talk back channel like 2UE.

John Stanley also suffered a decline in drive ratings being the lowest rating shift on 2UE losing 2.3% of Steve Price’s share to take the slot to only 4.5%, exactly half the number of listeners as 2GB opponent Philip Clark. Drive is not his show. When Stanely was doing the afternoon show, he was excellent and is best suited their. Stanley covers politics well but the strength of his personality is restricted in Drive where it previously excelled in afternoons.

2UE will not take any drastic action now and change the schedule but they will have to make changes if the ratings do not improve by the years end.

Perhaps Carlton should have been allowed to walk at the end of 2007 and the murmurs that Ray Martin trialled for John Laws shift, if confirmed should have been activated because 2UE need a new injection and a big personality.

Whether Martin is capable of being the saviour or perhaps Andrew Denton wanted to dabble in commercial radio, some alternatives need to be sought. Otherwise Angela Catterns presented a successful ABC Breakfast program before defecting to VEGA, maybe she is an option.

2UE may have to do what 2GB did to them and somehow unearth Ray Hadley from 2GB and sign him on to 2UE breakfast but Hadley would not move, he has the most successful morning show in New South Wales, the Rugby League and the Olympics.

Expect changes in St Leonards perhaps as early as mid year if things don’t approve, salaries will be reviewed, staff will be axed and change will be made.

It’s a nervous sleep for…

The first official radio ratings results are set to be released this week with all the Sydney radio stations itching to know if their big changes in 2008 have made any difference to their listener numbers.

AM

2UE executives will be stressing most after their have been changes to all of the daytime lineup. Mike Carlton and Sandi Aliosi at breakfast will be hoping to have stolen some of Alan Jones and Adam Spencer’s audiences.

The Morning shift is equally as important as Steve Price will be looking to make improvements on the numbers that John Laws retired with and has the opportunity to do so with the negative attention new ABC Morning host Deborah Cameron has been subject too. Or will 2GB's Ray Hadley extend his lead?

FM

NOVA will be hoping Kate Ritchie’s arrival on Merrick & Rosso’s breakfast show has improved ratings while Triple M will soon know if The Shebang are delivering in their breakfast slot otherwise it’s still Kyle and Jackie O.

The surprise packet could be MIX 106.5 who signed Sonia Kruger and Todd McKenny to their breakfast slot and may have made some impact.

Drive is equally important as Hamish & Andy dominate this shift on 2DAY FM but NOVA will be hoping the earlier start to their drive show has paid off but the addition of Ed Kavalee will not be reflected until the second ratings survey.

Triple M will also be crossing their fingers with Wil & Lehmo who have so far failed to make an impact on the ratings while WSFM moved Jonathan Coleman and Julia Zemiro to drive in an attempt to increase listeners.

Predicitions
* 2GB will still be Sydney's Number 1 radio station and 2DAY FM will still by the top rating FM station.
* 2UE will increase ratings slightly across breakfast and mornings but it will be slight, possibly 0.5-1%
* NOVA breakfast ratings will increase and so will MIX 106.5

Nine get off the mark

The first official week of ratings has been and gone with Channel Nine the number one network providing hope for 2008.

Nine 28.7%
Seven 27.2%
Ten 22.5%
ABC 16.4%
SBS 5.3%

A strong debut from Underbelly plus assistance from CSI, RPA, the cricket and its batch of new shows which made an indent in a number of Seven's juggernauts such as Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares: USA, The Chopping Block, Terminator and A Year with the Royal Family.

Their results were not high rating shows but equally impressive with the challenges.

*CSI (1,462,413) had more viewers than Desperate Housewives (1,270,713 ).
*A Year with the Royal Family (1,067,494 ) made a dent in Border Security (1,351,089 344) and The Force (1,342,725 ) which both use to hover around the 2 million mark.
*It Takes Two only debuted with 1.3million viewers (another 2 million viewer show) while Terminator peaked at a little over 1 million and Women's Murder Club on Ten almost had the same numbers as It Takes Two.
* The Chopping Block had almost similar figures to The Real Sea Change and was helped by Back To You on Channel Ten.
* Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares: USA had over 1.1 million viewers while Lost did not even reach 900,000.

Week 2 will be very interesting to see if the new programs retain their viewer numbers or if they start to slide and whether networks will have to start re-configuring schedules.

Seven will be wary of Dirty Sexy Money and hope that figures improve for Border Security & The Force, Desperate Housewives and It Takes Two. None of these shows face the axe but the network would be expecting more.

Seven executives would be keeping a close eye on The Real Sea Change while their Thursday night is in trouble especially with the low figures for Out of the Question and Family Guy which is restricting Lost.

Over at Nine they launch Cashmere Mafia on Wednesday night after Underbelly which should debut strongly with that lead in. Monster House still does not look safe but will probably hold on for the moment as Nine are winning the week. This show would be better suited to a Saturday night slot after Australia's Funniest Home Videos.

For Ten So You Think You Can Dance Australia continues to impress but The Biggest Loser has been disappointing. Women's Murder Club will hopefully hold its audience.

Tonight should have been won by Nine with an exciting Cricket match between Australia and India as the momentum continues into week 2.

Week 1: 2-2

Is Underbelly the show of 2008?

After four nights of television ratings its Channel Seven 2, Channel Nine 2. Nine won Sunday night with thanks to the cricket and Wednesday night with Underbelly despite the series not being screened in Victoria.

Nine was also helped by the impressive launch of Channel Ten's two new sitcoms, Back To You and Rules of Engagement plus the return of House.

Seven also experienced very low numbers for It Takes Two which is not surprising because there celebrity line-up is weak much like the ridiculous height difference between the hosts.

Having watched a few of the new shows and returning shows this week, these are my thoughts:

Brothers and Sisters - was not a very good return episode and did not have the same strength as the first series. It has however set up some interesting story lines for the season with the Iraq War, US Presidency and a trans-continental relationship. Overall, it has lost some of its momentum.

Desperate Housewives - again the first episode did not entice the audience as the show was defeated by CSI which would have really hurt Seven.

Good News Week - been and done and no different to The Glass House or the first Good News Week. It is a shame because Paul McDermott and Mikey Robins are very clever and very funny. There should be a space for Good News Week, perhaps a different time, like Thursday night at 8:30 where there are not too many good shows on right now...

Dirty Sexy Money - I was really disappointed with this and thought the storyline would be completely different. I didn't know the show would be about revenge and the storyline about a lawyer helping a wealthy family with all their affairs... I think there could be something else worth watching.

Monster House - surprisingly different to what the advertising campaign predicted. I thought it was just a reality show about a 'weird' family, not a 'gag', hidden camera show. Was actually better than I thought it would be but not enough to make me want to watch it.

All Saints - second best show of the week to date. Such a strong Australian cast, massively underrated and quality. We do not have the high budgets or effects that American dramas have but we do have good quality acting. The story line may have been a little too far fetched but I was impressed to see the show.

The NightCap - was to say the least disappointing. The mixed chat, talk, news had so many genres it appeared at times like a morph between a kids show, a chat show, the news and that Friday Night Download show as all the content appeared to be taken from Wikipedia and YouTube. I suppose there is only one way up when your second segment is about fart jokes and then the anchor Matt White slaps Paul Murray for comedy.... Add in Jessica Rowe who appears to be the newsreader doing her job lightly, her laugh, a bloke is a corset and a weather girl turned panel member, Monique Wright and the show reminded me of The Catch Up. Enough said? Almost... let’s stop talking about Corey Delaney, Heather Mills sex stamina and look beyond Wiki and YouTube for content.

Underbelly - nothing short of brilliant. Vince Colissimo was an excellent and scary gangster. He played his role perfectly and was very believable. Another strong Australian cast which is also unearthing a brood of new talent. A debut of 1.3 million (despite not having Melbourne) is a win for Nine and would have been 2 million had Victoria been able to screen it. The show of the week and possibly the year.

Foxtel IQ is great as I have watched all these and still yet to see Women's Murder Club, Back To You and Rules of Engagement which all look worthy of a screening.

Thank heavens the ratings season has started again but has all the good content been wasted on the first half of the week?

At 2-2, Nine should take tonight, Thursday with Getaway and RPA and tomorrow Friday with the Cricket. Have Nine all ready won week 1?

Anyone for a Night Cap?

100th Post

Whilst all the focus this week has been on the return of ratings for 2o08 tomorrow night Channel Seven's second channel, 7HD launches The NightCap.

Headed by sports anchor Matthew White along with Jessica Rowe and Paul Murray, the show will air each Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30PM.

The panel will discuss the news, views along with a blues according to the commercial which not only features Jessia Rowe's laugh but also rotating fourth panelist, former Big Brother contestant Zach Douglas and new Seven weather-turned-wonder girl Monique Wright.

It's a good gamble for Seven's Superman Adam Boland who is the brain child of the show and judging by his previous success with Sunrise and The Morning Show his stamp of approval is a major plus for the series.

As I stated in an earlier post about the summer merry-go-round when presenters fill in for regular hosts, something usually comes good of it and new talent emerges. For Matthew White he has been typecast as the sports anchor for Seven as he moves after a successful stint filling in for David Koch on Sunrise and Chris Bath on Sydney's Weekend News over Summer into the hosting chair of The NightCap, diversifying his talents and broadening his portfolio.

From early mornings to late nights and 'bonings' Jessica Rowe provides experience for the show while Paul Murray has held his own on Triple M and previously NOVA FM before joining The Shebang breakfast show in Syndey on Triple M.

The NightCap is live and another attempt at our own late-night chat show that reviews the news, in the same mould of The Late Show and The Tonight Show. The only dissapointment is the show is on 7HD which may restrict potential audiences and the network is not prepared to gamble with the show on the main channel.

Nevertheless, HD may prove to be a good practice run or launching pad for a host of new Australian series that may otherwise not get picked up and if they work, they may be moved to the main channel. Andrew O'Keefe can be thankful for that after pitching his own night show to executives, the plan was shelved but with a new HD Channel, Channel Seven will gamble with his attempt in 2008.

Check out The NightCap tonight from 10:30PM on 7HD.

Gotta Seriously Heart

what to watch: week 1 of the ratings race

It’s that time of year when the failed series finally leave our television screens, repeated series conclude and movies that have been run and re-run at least twenty times are returned to the ‘Summer Programming’ Department to gather dust for another twelve months.

It’s a nervous time for television executives who cross their fingers and hope their new shows succeed and their returning series continue to rate. All three commercial networks have attempted to jump the gun with Seven launching Samantha Who a week early, Nine showing A Year With the Royal Family and The Chopping Block will Ten has attempted to leap frog both networks by launching their new reality hit So You Think You Can Dance Australia? and The Biggest Loser to respectable figures.

After months of deliberating about scheduling, millions of dollars spent on advertising it is now time to turn your television back on.

Sunday
Been and gone and Nine won the night with the cricket with Ten’s So You Think You Can Dance being the most popular show of the night whilst Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters didn’t deliver as high ratings as expected.

Nine 28.2%
Ten 26.7%
Seven 24.8%
ABC 15.3%
SBS 4.9%

Monday
Competition hots up on Monday nights with Seven screening three all ready proven popular shows with one exciting new series. It’s Border Security and The Force from 7:30 followed by Desperate Housewives and the launch of Dirty Sexy Money. Note that Dirty Sexy Money has been described as a ‘Sex and the City clone’ in the same slot that Nine showed Sex and the City, very clever scheduling. I think that this show will be a success for Seven and hold off the competition from Ten which screens So You Think You Can Dance at 7:30 followed by the return of Good News Week at 9pm.

This leaves Nine with a CSI filled night, screening A Year With the Royal Family, CSI and CSI: NY giving Desperate Housewives some good competition.

What I would watch:
7:30 – Border Security (Seven)
8:00 – A Year With the Royal Family (Nine)
8:30 – CSI (Nine)
9:00 – Good News Week (Ten)
9:30 – Dirty Sexy Money (Seven)

My prediction: Seven, Ten, Nine

Tuesday

Seven have owned Tuesday’s since Dancing With the Stars was launched but this year Dancing does not kick off Seven’s year instead it’s spin-off It Takes Two will air from 7:30 followed by the most underrated high-rating ‘forgotten’ Australian drama, All Saints at 9:30. This previously winning combination should do it again as Nine have experimented with many shows against Seven’s ‘Super Tuesday’ and this year they start by trying Monster House and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

The advertisements for Monster House are enough to make you turn off and not bother, while Sarah Connor will have a select niche audience that will remain constant but it will not set the world on fire. Don’t forget Tuesday nights are big on Fox 8 with new series America’s Next Top Model followed by Gossip Girl which steal some of the commercial audience.

Ten are launching a competitive night as well with The Biggest Loser at 7 followed by Bondi Rescue which was last weeks second most popular show on that night followed by the debut of the much talked about Women’s Murder Club and then the impressive Burn Notice. Don’t underestimate Ten, they have scheduled cleverly and will have a good share of the audience.

What I would watch:
8:30 – Women’s Murder Club (Ten)
9:30 – All Saints (Seven)
10:30 - Gossip Girl (Fox 8 +2)

My prediction: Seven, Ten, Nine

Wednesday

This is Nine’s night. The Chopping Block at 7:30 looks sketchy but should hold up followed by a double-episode of the much talked about Underbelly. This will win the night for Nine with big audiences tuning in for the premiere which should command over 2 Million viewers for the premiere episode. This will be the highest rating debut show in 2008.

Ten will attempt to rain on Nine’s parade by screening two new much talked about American comedies, Rules of Engagament and Back to You followed by House while the ABC offer another alternative with Spicks and Specks and the debut of TV1 drama, Stupid Stupid Man. Over on Seven, they should have viewer numbers at 7:30 with RSPCA: Animal Rescue and The Real Seachange but the British crime series, Lewis will bomb.

What I would watch:
7:30 – Rules of Engagement (Ten)
8:00 – Back To You (Ten)
8:30 – Underbelly (Nine)
9:30 – Underbelly (Nine)

My prediction: Nine, Ten, ABC, Seven

Thursday

Thursday’s are bland with Nine’s medical series RPA being popular with audiences because there is a lack of competition with Seven screening, Out of the Question and Ten screening Law & Order: SVU whilst at 9:30 it’s either Lost, Kitchen Nightmares: USA or Medium. Not too many good shows to choose from, but if you have to watch:

7:30 – Getaway (Nine)
8:30 – Life on Mars (ABC)
9:30 – Kitchen Nightmares (Nine)

My prediction: Nine, Seven, Ten

Friday

Although Friday and Saturday nights don’t have as many television watchers they will prove to be important in the ratings game. This week Nine will win the night with Cricket unless the game is washed out. The pressure on our cricketers could even hinge on whether or not Nine win the first ratings week. If the cricket is washed out, Seven could have the week, if the cricket is screened, it could be Nine. Seven show Better Homes and Gardens which may attract the none-cricket watchers or Ten screen Kid Nation and the movie, Pride and Prejudice.

What I would watch:

7:00 – Cricket (Nine)

My prediction: Nine, Seven, Ten

Saturday

Kids shows and movies dominate Saturday night with Seven screening Finding Nemo at 6:30 going head to head with Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show with new host, Shelly Craft followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Two Weeks Notice. Ten are screening two old movies as well, Billy Madison and Mercury Rising.

What I would watch:
6:30 - Billy Madison (Ten)
8:30 - Mercury Rising (Ten)

My prediction: Nine, Seven, Ten

So who is going to win the first week of ratings?

Judging by the start Nine got on Sunday night you could assume it is their week. I didn’t think the cricket would rate as well as it did. Tuesday will give a big indication as the cast of It Takes Two is struggling in my opinion and may not be the same ratings juggernaut in 2008. It’s good that Ten is being aggressive with a host of new shows with some strong programs and impressive results to date.

Week 1 Predictions:
Nine
Seven
Ten


“Gotta Love It” – Channel 7’s slogan
“Seriosuly” – Channel 10’s slogan
“We (heart) TV” – Channel 9’s slogan

Nine advertising on Foxtel

At 1:27PM today on Fox Sports 3 in an ad break for the New Zealand v England One Day International match, there was an advertisement for Channel Nine's The Chopping Block. I have seen many ads on free-to-air television for Foxtel but never one on Foxtel for the commerical stations.



Is this a new beginning for advertising and are the commerical networks realising the impact of pay television?



I wonder why Nine would want to advertisie The Chopping Block on Foxtel, yet alone on Fox Sports in the middle of an International cricket match that does not feature Australia.

So the demographic that Nine are pitching The Chopping Block is layered and expansive. I wouldn't consider that International cricket fans would ultimately be one of Nine's largests segments rather the Lifestyle Channel or Food channels might have been their demographic.

Ray says no to Sunday and good-bye to Nine

The tumultuous week for Channel Nine continues with Sunday host Ray Martin calling it a day, leaving the network only 72 hours before the return of Sunday. Firstly it was the poor ratings result from The Chopping Block, followed by the court intervention over the screening of Underbelly followed by Martin's exit which makes Nine Executives hoping the weekend would hurry up.

Martin's press release reflected his professionalism as he and Nine have parted on good terms but Sunday maybe the disaster left for incumbent host Ellen Fanning who must now pick up the pieces as the show faces enormous amounts of pressure.

So who will join Fanning as a co-host or will she go the show alone?

Surely they would not front Fanning as the single host because they tried that, then combined Sunday with Business Sunday and then host Ross Greenwood before he was given the punt for Martin.

Perhaps Greenwood will return to the fold?

I'd think not if he didn't work last time then don't go back to him. Not that he isn't capable of doing the job, rather he is but Nine should not reverse the decision.

Michael Usher is a likely candidate as the current Sunday and Nightline newsreader, he has had broad experience including stints as both the US and UK foreign correspondants and would be considered one of Nine's senior national correspondants.

Is this the next face for Sunday?

Usher (pictured) had his name thrown around when Richard Carleton passed away as a possible 60 Minutes reporter and would be my pick from within the ranks.

Alternatively Nine may juggle the commitments of current 60 Minutes reporters Liam Bartlett or Peter Overton or even Syndey's Nine weekend news reader, Mike Munro who could evolve the Jim Waley role when he presented Sunday and the weekend news.

The show has struggled since it lost John Lyons and Jana Wendt with Nine not really knowing what to do with the show.

Has Sunday done it's dash and is it time to change the formula?

Hard News stories and programs are not rating like they did for Nine if people want it they are heading to Sky News or the ABC.

The 'Sunrise' formula has worked for Seven perhaps Nine now need a revamp with a new Sunday Morning show fronted by Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins.

Both more than capable and have great synegry together. I am impressed when they pair to fill in on the Today Show for Karl Stefanovick and Lisa Wilkinson.

What ever Nine do, it is added pressure heading into the first week of official ratings for 2008.

Buckle up.

A New Look for 2UE

It's not only new management and a new on-air line up that is taking shape at 2UE but a brand new logo has been launched right across the My-Talk Fairfax owned radio stations.

The iconic 'strikes' have been dropped and the black, gold and white colours that have dominated the logo have been changed to a blue, more of a yellow gold and white as seen above.

The new logo looks like a slanted football with the '2UE 954 - News Talk' appearing as the sponsorship on the football.

Not only have the colours changed but the wording.

As Fairfax now own 2UE, the old logo of Souther Cross, with the wording and their iconic star have been replaced.

This was the logo prior to Southern Cross' owning, giving you some idea about how the branding has changed: