Not the one any more
Posted July 26th, 2010 by debritz
In an ever changing world, some things stay the same. One of those things used to be the fact that Channel 9 broadcast the highest-rating commercial television news service in Brisbane and, indeed, in Australia. That success was built on solid news judgment, selective hirings from other networks (particularly the ABC) and a reputation for trustworthiness. Somewhere in the past few years, though, the banner has been passed to Channel 7. Sure Nine is still the home of Laurie Oakes, the journalists' journalist, and a few other heavy hitters, but people aren't buying it like they used to. In Brisbane, Seven is now the viewers' station of choice. Today, Seven claimed the ratings year for news and current affairs. In a media release, the network said its News, Today Tonight and Sunrise had an "unassailable lead in the 40 week ratings year in south east Queensland". The statement continued:
7 News and Sunrise have both won 22 from 22 weeks while Today Tonight has won 21 from 22 weeks in the 40 week ratings year. Max Walters, Managing Director of Seven Brisbane said,“ This is the fourth year running that our flagship news and public affairs programs have won the ratings year in south east Queensland, a wonderful achievement in such a competitive market . SEQ audiences continue to turn to 7 News, Today Tonight and Sunrise to keep them informed on local, national and international events.”
PS: In its media release, Nine claims overall SEQ victory last week (by a whisker), bringing its total this year to 17 out of 22 surveys.
And in other news: Seven has lost 5:30 in Brisbane 22 weeks in a row.
Surely a smarter station would be looking to it's past. Surely advertisers who took a gamble, last year, hoping Deal would improve off a Brisbane audience still furious over Extra axe, have seen their bet wash away, and asking for answers.
Local content is what got Seven into this mess (losing Extra, and the people who flicked between Deal and Extra), local content will get them out of it.
It's a matter of when, not if, Seven will act.
Local Edition's 10th anniversary is less than three months away.
I think any decision on the 5.30pm slot will be made nationally. It's probably safe to say that Deal's run is closer to the end than the beginning.
I would love to see Seven put out a press release with the Gold Coast figures separated out from the Brisbane figures.
Nine's Gold Coast news service is keeping their head above water, purely because Seven have neglected to invest in a competitor, which could rate heaps better than Deal.
There will never be a truly national solution for 5:30 for either 7 or 9, while Nine still has the GC news service, giving Nine's 5:30 ratings a boost, and causing headaches for 7.