Network waiting game avoids scheduling clashes

Networks are strategically treading water with some of their scheduling, holding off launching new shows while juggernauts are closing in on their finales.

Nine resorted to three Big Bang repeats from 7:30 – 9pm last night, presumably waiting until House Rules is over before The Block returns. Next week Seven has some lightweight factuals to fill the gaps before X Factor launches, no doubt avoiding head to head tussles with The Voice.

As a result Seven network won the night easily with 36.6% then Nine 24.4%, TEN 19.7%, ABC 15.8% and SBS 3.5%.

House Rules topped the night for Seven at 1.52m then Seven News (1.2m / 1.07m), Home and Away (871,000), The Goldbergs (595,000 / 473,000) and Million Dollar Minute (578,000) in which a contestant turned down $200,000.

Nine News (1.1m / 1.09m) led for Nine then A Current Affair (917,000), The Big Bang Theory (794,000 / 776,000 / 698,000), Hot Seat (651,000) and CSI (538,000 / 357,000).

TEN’s MasterChef and Offspring combo pulled 896,000 / 746,000 respectively followed by TEN Eyewitness News (651,000), The Project (614,000 / 376,000). Modern Family and The Good Wife managed 346,000 and 341,000 respectively.

ABC News (792,000) still tops ABC1 then 7:30 (679,000), QI (539,000 / 401,000), Stop at Nothing: The Lance Armstrong Story (484,000) and Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery just 182,000.

Non primetime FIFA World Cup numbers were best for SBS ONE at 303,000 for Post Match: Bel v USA, Morning News 257,000, Bel v USA match 221,000. In primetime Walking Through History was best at 218,000.

Wimbledon coverage on 7TWO led multichannels at 328,000.

Sunrise: 351,000
Today: 274,000
ABC News Breakfast: 79,000 / 31,000

OzTAM Overnights: Wednesday 2 July 2014