The outstanding success of SBS’s locally produced Who Do You Think You Are?, which achieved the largest ever audience share for an SBS local production, has provided a double boost by delivering a huge audience to the next program of the night, according to new figures from OzTAM.
The first locally produced episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, featuring veteran actor Jack Thompson, drew 857,000 viewers on Sunday, 13 January, in the 7.30pm timeslot, narrowly missing out on being SBS’s number one program of the week to the rampant Top Gear (942,000).
SBS was delighted, however, when many of the Who Do You Think You Are? crowd stayed tuned for the following program, Battle Of The Brains, which came in third for the week with 612,000 viewers.
SBS director of commercial affairs Richard Finlayson said the broadcaster’s premium summer programming line-up was returning strong dividends.
‘The raw figures for Top Gear and Who Do You Think You Are? are outstanding in their own right, but even more impressive when you consider the number of viewers who are staying put to watch the next program,’ Mr Finlayson said.
‘Our top four programs this week all drew more than half a million viewers each, and many of these people are potentially new or returning viewers who are sticking around to make the most of what we believe is summer’s best line-up.’
Who Do You Think You Are? tracks the heritage of six unique Australians and in coming weeks will focus on Geoffrey Robertson, Catherine Freeman, Dennis Cometti and Ita Buttrose.
The special Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel came in fourth last week with 516,000 viewers, followed by Food Safari (409,000) and the enduring Inspector Rex (401,000).
SBS Top Ten Programs w/c January 13, 2008
Rank – Description – AUD (000s)
1 – Top Gear – 942
2 – Who Do You Think You Are? – 857
3 – Battle of the Brains – 612
4 – Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel – 516
5 – Food Safari – 409
6 – Inspector Rex Rpt – 401
7 – Mythbusters – 392
8 – Marx & Venus – 391
9 – Real Top Guns – 376
10 – Iron Chef – 369
Source: OzTAM/AGB Nielsen Media Research 13/1-19/1/2008
[release from SBS]