Ratings Megaweek Day 1: Strong return of Nine’s Underbelly marks start of TV ratings war
In what many in the industry have called the ‘real’ start of the ratings race – post-Winter Olympics and Easter off season – Nine last night fired the first free-to-air salvo with Australian drama Underbelly leading the pack.
The premier episode of Underbelly – The Golden Mile saw an average of 2.237m viewers tune in during its first hour at 8:30pm, making it the highest-rating program launch in the year to date, according to preliminary overnight OzTam data in the main metro markets.
With the inclusion of regional viewers, Underbelly scored an average of 3.04m across episode one, and 2.797m for episode two.
In the 7:30pm slot it was up against Seven’s US crime show Bones, which had 1.172m viewers in the metro markets, while Ten’s The Good Wife was well behind with 809,000, markedly down from the 1.4m viewers it attracted in its launch episode in February.
Watched Underbelly last night, absolutely loved it. Much better than the second one, but still cannot touch the first one. I guess some dark humour is missing.
It will be interesting to see what lift the good wife gets when PVR’s are factored in … given it was on at the same time as Underbelly.
I liked it too. Agree better than No.2 and may get better than 1, depends on how much depth they give to Ibrahim character.
Great performances from two ex soap pin up boys Dieter Brummer and the criminally underrated Daniel Roberts as crooked cop Jim.
Budget Aussie acting at its best.
Both fell asleep watching it.
Loved the “blowjob”.
I thought I’d be disgusted at the jettisoning of ethics for ratings, but I’m really glad Channel Nine went ahead with this direction for Underbelly 3 … I had no idea heroin dealer John Ibrahim was such a great guy. Here I thought he was responsible for profiteering off the destruction of people’s lives, but he’s actually just a cheeky all-Australian rogue, not unlike Ned Kelly. A real larrikin.
I wonder if there is any chance Eddy McGuire can do a few A Current Affair interviews with Ibbo so we can all bask in his inspirational Aussie battler success story?
Also, the acting and script were simply breathtaking. I was constantly battling the urge to stand up and applaud.
Tedious.
Since when does running a race include firing salvos?
Did Ibrahim approve Underbelly?
Well I’m really disappointed Humphrey doesnt act like a real bear and eat people.
Shows like Underbelly are made for entertainment right? Just wanted to check.
Humphrey B Bear isn’t based on a real vest-wearing bear called Humphrey, Rosso.
I’m sorry.
Cut to an increase In school truency, a hike in teenage street violence and Increased drug related hospitalisations: good work Channel Nine.
Don’t get me wrong, I love trip to the cross for a bag n a ho a much as the next man, but come on.
Don’t people believe in Heroes any more Max?
series 3 has jumped the shark. it was painfully self-conscious.