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A TVT prediction

Tell-tale schedules suggest the ratings system is about to be taken for a ride yet again.

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There’s a lot of bragging rights riding on next Tuesday when three new and returning Reality shows go head to head at 7:30pm.

Could that be why Seven has a conspicuous TBA on 7TWO at the same time?

Let’s make a prediction right here and now: House Rules, Reno Rumble and Masterchef to all simulcast on multichannels in another ploy to nab headlines the next day.

Any network that continues it beyond Tuesday will be viewed with much scepticism.

Along with OzTAM for not closing this absurd loophole that goes against the whole point of having alternative channels.

18 Responses

  1. Commercial TV channels primarily exist to sell ads. If this helps them sell ads, then it’s done it’s job.

    Now of course the TV ad selling process is somewhat strange. But it keeps most free TV free.

    2. Fully agree. But, if they keep simulcasting or cheat their audience, they will lose them for good. Too many other viewing options today now which will dilute their ratings points even further. If they leave it to one channel, people will go there.

  2. I suppose the networks believe if your flipping through channels to see what to watch and all the reality programs are on all channels, you have two options, pick one or turn off tv. This way they grab a few extra viewers who may get hooked i as there a no other choices. I know you can do catchup, etc but not everyone can use these platforms.

  4. Simulcasting shows is not taking the ratings system for a ride. The ratings system just reasonably accurately measures that happening, which is slightly more people watching the simulcast show. More viewers means more revenue, a higher place in the Top 20 list and more publicity resulting in discussion in media, social media and around water coolers, which means more viewers.

    It just doesn’t make economic sense to spend money on targeting a small less profitable niche audience on a secondary channel with so much at stake. It does mean less choice for viewers, but in an infinite array of choices losing 3 channels showing repeats for 60-90m isn’t much difference. On Tuesday I’ll be watching Revenge and Elementary (because POI has been dumped for yet another repeat of Skyfall on Monday night).

  5. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the networks did that. I don’t have an issue with simulcasting. I wish they would do it more with sport coverage. The issue I have is with ratings breakdowns. Who knows we might even get coded ratings like introduction, body and conclusion. I think it’s ridiculous if you ask me. I’m looking forward to House Rules and will also be recording Masterchef but I won’t be looking at Nine’s rip off.

  6. Like I have said before – if simulcasts really did deliver more viewers to a show, you would have had sports simulcasts in HD long ago.

    Back in late 2010 when GEM and 7mate launched, Nine is particular said that the reason for not having sports simulcasts in HD was to deliver more viewing options on multi channels.

  7. Mythbusters on 7mate is not normally 90 minutes either – so possible three channel simulcast. If the show is made in HD (which I doubt) then a simulcast on 7mate not so bad – but otherwise in my opinion simulcasts make absolutely no difference to overall ratings as if you are going to watch the show – you will – regardless of what or how many channels it is on.

    1. Well that particular episode (Pirate Special) is a legit double ep, so it might be more about just having something to fill that timeslot void while the big shows fight it out. Starting Van Helsing at 8:30 would lose it a lot of potential viewers still tied up in reality TV land.

  8. I don’t have a huge issue with simulcasting. The networks must see some benefit in it or they all wouldn’t be trailing. It really is used very sparingly though – so it is just still trialling. I’m not sure how they see it – do they elimate 2 othert channels that could potentially steal viewers from say House Rules (TWO and mate) so they do it to grab headlines. Do they do it to get an extra 100k sampling the show – who will the follow to the mothership network (7) when the simulcast goes away? I’m not sure – but they see some benefit.

    As for OZtam allowing it. We live in a different world now. Shows are simulcast, watched on demand, on catch up, online, on mobile. On netflix people binge. It’s not all linear viewing anymore. Simulcasting is just one more of these ways numbers are crunched.

    I think the primary number should be reported as the viewing just on the main…

  9. And the one time they should use multi-channels to simulcast, they don’t. When major sports (yes, looking at you Nine with your state of origin game this month) should be in HD as well as their main channel.

  13. Simulcasts are another reason I don’t believe the ratings anymore. The commercial networks aren’t providing choice on their main channels with all airing reality and two being renovation shows but now are possibly taking away the option of watching multichannels? So over free to air and their reality obsession.

  14. I, like many others, use the multichannels in order to escape all this reality rubbish. So I’m going o be mighty pizzed off if normal viewing is changed.

    Memo to all networks considering this action. If I’m not going to watch your show on the main channel I’m not going to watch it on the multichannel, so don’t waste your time.

    Schedule encore screenings as much as you like but not in prime time.

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