Slow start for Nine’s Rescue Special Ops
Nine’s big Sunday night hope of action drama Rescue Special Ops opened with only a moderate ratings audience on Sunday night, despite being heavily promoted.
Indeed, it was Nine’s evening of 1.1m. Random Acts of Kindness, 60 Minutes and the home grown Rescue Special Ops all hovered around that level, taking the network to a poor third for the night.
It was a similarly steady tale at Ten where back-to-back movies of Eragon and The Devil Wears Prada both did 1.2m.
There was more fluctuation at Seven – which won the night thanks to Dancing With the Stars (1.6m) and its reenactment of the viral JK Wedding Entrance video, before the audience fell away with double episodes of Bones.
I found Rescue to be compelling drama. While reminiscent of conventional action adventure drama in the vein of Police Rescue, it was also fresh in it’s style and tone – making contemporary references to modern technology (mobiles and youth), teenage sex, etc, and throwing in laughs during intense moments. Character development was very good.
I don’t normally watch these style of programs, but will be back for more as I’m attracted to the outcome of the characters relationships. Not challenging TV, but not stupid either.
I thought it was a good show too.
I agree, Ben – it didn’t break the mould too significantly, but it still held my attention for its running time. Let’s hope they give it a chance to thrive, to demonstrate that sometimes ratings *aren’t* king.
Nine is suffering from “boy who cried wolf” syndrome – their promos and advertising aren’t cutting through because the audience have be suckered by the same routine too many times before.
“Rescue” could have been the best show ever, but audiences have learnt to stay away. This is what happens when you sell too many turkeys.
If Nine want this show to succeed they’re going to have to be in it for the long haul – which means lots of pain along the way.
Fair point. I can’t think why it wouldn’t have otherwise succeeded. I recall end of last year when Ten couldn’t seem to win a trick, as though they were simply off tune with viewers. Perhaps Nine feeling a bit of that now.
No surprise that Rescue Special Ops had not done great ratings, it’s another Rush style show and it’ll either appeal to people or not…I agree with Adam Paull’s comments above, Nine has promoted a lot of shows which turned out to be turkeys, the viewing public is getting sick of that and do get a bit warey of some shows that are overhyped.
I enjoyed the show but I’d prefer to watch Sea Patrol anyday. The action sequences didn’t get me in enough. Les Hill is a good actor though, no question.
Loved everything about the show. Fresh characters doing compelling stuff …that plane moving scene had us all gasping, incredible showcase for one of AUstralia’s most scenic areas. Look NINE need to get a new team of people doing the promos which just didn’t do it justice…. really the show is better than the excerpts they publicized. We just can’t wait until tonight….. Lara sizzles and Ben is oh so typical ‘man with stone face and soft, fuzzy heart within’!!!