Seven widens the gap over Nine.

For much of 2007 many observers have argued that Nine would turn its fortunes around in the second half of the year. While Seven has been largely empty of big-name American franchises, Nine was supposed to have made up ground.

That isn’t happening.

In Week 38 Seven won with a convincing 30.5% to Nine’s 26.0%. TEN had 22.0%, the ABC 16.4% and SBS 5.2%.

Seven won Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Nine took Sunday and Saturday with TEN owning Wednesday. Seven won all metro cities.

The gaps between Seven and Nine for the past two weeks (4.5% and 4.4%) have been amongst the biggest all year. While Seven is shoring up its schedule with tentpole programming, Nine’s attempt at new ideas, Surprise Surprise Gotcha was soundly beaten –it came third. If Nine is supposed to be moving on its old foe as predicted it is choosing a peculiar path.

Kath and Kim returned as the number 1 show of the week with 2.1m viewers. With a host of big audiences, Seven rolled on with The Force, Border Security, RSPCA Animal Rescue, Medical Emergency, AFL Football, Seven News, Today Tonight, City Homicide, My Name is Earl, All Saints and Home and Away. The AFL helped give Seven a whopping 42% share on Friday night, figures that were reversed in coming third on Wednesday (24%). Seven will address its midweek programming beginning this week with Dancing with the Stars and Prison Break returning, plus Heroes and Bionic Woman from next week.

Sunday night’s News was Nine’s best performer, apt for a network which has long prided itself on news and current affairs. In fact News across the board is one of Nine’s current strongest brands, even though it too is being defeated by Seven. CSI followed then 60 Minutes was next, Backyard Blitz, A Current Affair, Temptation and The Footy Show. The final Backyard Blitz beat Seven’s newer Australia’s Best Backyard, a bittersweet win for the network that should never have let Durie go. It bodes well for the return of Don Burke back to the Nine fold tonight. Yet again, the audience has shown it is smarter than programming departments. Nine’s I-Caught, a poor filler which tanked at only 581,000 will be replaced by a Dermott Brereton-hosted commercials show. I-Caught didn’t help 1 vs 100 any, suffering at 875,000 –Nine’s weakest Monday all year. Suddenly ER and Survivor fans don’t sound so bad anymore. Critically-acclaimed Damages is already indicating it is will suit a discerning Sopranos-style audience, but it has some tough competition ahead as new Wednesday nights loom as one of the most aggressive of the week.

Thank God You’re Here laughed itself over The Chaser this week, as the top show for Wednesday night, but only one more episode remains. Australian Idol did well against the might of Kath & Kim.Next was AFL footy (out of primetime ratings), Kenny, NCIS, Rove and the elongated So You Think You Can Dance. Friday night TEN was all but ignored, fourth behind the ABC.

Once again The Chaser was ABC’s biggest show, as the ABC again won with Spicks and Specks and Summer Heights High. They pushed the broadcaster over the 20% share for Wednesday night, and that’s without any of the press that Chris Lilley has gained later in the week. ABC News, Wire in the Blood, Four Corners, The Iceberg that Sank the Titanic, Doctor Who and Einstein Factor were all strong.

Monday night was best for SBS.

Week 38 Ratings. Read more...