MasterChef return rates 1.368m, beaten by The Block

Tim Burrowes

May 7, 2012 8:50

Ten’s MasterChef returned with a series debut of 1.368m metro viewers on Sunday night.

The show – the most important in Ten’s armoury – is facing tough competition this year including against Nine’s contest The Voice on weeknights. Last night it was beaten by The Block which rated 1.476m for Nine.

MasterChef was fourth for the night, also beaten by Seven News (1.565m) and Nine News (1.481m).

It is the second series running to see a decline in the debut audience. Last year’s opener rated 1.569m despite competition from The Logies, while 2010’s was 1.692m.

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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5 COMMENTS

David 7 May 12

looks like good news about MasterChef. . . seems this will be the last year that guy in the cravet will grace our screens. . .

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Rob R 7 May 12

Wow David, writing off a show that’s doing 1.3 on TEN is a massive call… That’s over double what most of their prime time shows do. I’d suggest the “cravat” will be around for a long while to come yet..

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njk 7 May 12

What a boring and wanky first episode. The producers promoted it as going back to basics and focusing on the cooking, yet about 75% of the show was devoted to (supposedly) tear-jerking back-stories and the judges carrying on like muppets (as per usual). Pass.

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Anonymous 7 May 12

the format is tired not helped by the copycat MKR.Give the voice one season as well. In the US it is getting beaten.Not helped by the lack of continuity of the contestants.Hope Masterchef can prevail in the ratings but since it has become so predictable it will not pick up.

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Richard Moss 8 May 12

Yes yes yes, they are cooking on gas, all pots bubbling, roasting in the glory etc etc.
But the eating is pretty bland; and for goodness sake, these cooking shows must boil dry eventually surely. I hate the way all the ratings worshippers follow the flock, bleeting and farting down the same trail.

OK let the cooking show get its audience, not all the people want to watch custard setting and truffles being shaved into little pots of exotic Plopp.

Get imaginative, start a season of something new and exciting, and prove to yourselves, and the world, that you are truly creative and theatre savvy.

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