Last night’s Four Corners on Gina Rinehart was compelling viewing for many reasons, not least her yet-to-be-played-out pivotal role as Fairfax’s largest and most influential shareholder. Although Rinehart declined to be filmed for the program, she did provide Four Corners with a statement responding to questions and one response referring to Rinehart favourite Andrew Bolt was particularly intriguing:
“Andrew Bolt has a short programme on Channel 10 on Sundays. It is noted that his programme is very popular in country areas, yet unfortunately many country areas are unable to receive Channel 10. As stated previously by Mrs Rinehart, Mrs Rinehart hopes that should Mr Bolt’s time permit, that he would consider longer programmes on Channel 10.”
Crikey turned to our own TV guru Glenn Dyer to get to the bottom of The Bolt Report‘s popularity in the country. Dyer informed us that the The Bolt Report is not broadcast in regional areas on SC Ten (Southern Cross) in its 10am slot, instead showing a program called Hot 30 Countdown, which averages around 90,000 viewers. SC Ten does however show the 4.30pm repeat in country areas.
“The Bolt Report Encore (TV speak for repeat) averaged 142,000 and 213,000 across the country on Sunday at 4.30pm, meaning just 66,000 people watched it on Sunday in regional areas,” Dyer said. “Would they watch it if it screened at 10am nationally? All regional areas can get Channel Ten, otherwise, how could those in regional areas watch the 4.30pm repeat?” According to SC Ten’s own coverage map, the reach of its network to regional viewers is extensive:
So 66,000 national regional viewers is “very popular”, according to Rinehart, who has a 10% stake in the network and is a board member.
“She has been badly advised if she thinks the 10am broadcast of The Bolt Report can’t be broadcast to regional areas,” says Dyer, “which is odd given her shareholding and presence on the Ten board. She should talk to Southern Cross (Ten’s regional affiliate) to find out why the 10am broadcast can’t go to regional areas.” –
With the switch over to digital from old services a lot of people will notice they are reduced to ABC and SBS. When that happens they will be told after they arc up, they may be given satellite access. What a surprise when they discover what they get access to, is a service for Darwin. Lets hope the smart TV access via internet gets a lot easier. Could the government be twining us viewers and the holders of broadcast licenses ? Not for the first time I might add. Edward James
Here’s one for Andrew Bolt – one of the elites not knowing basic facts about a company she’s on the board of – can’t wait to hear what he’s got to say about that. Think I might be waiting a while!
Edward James
Digital means many regional areas get the main channels plus the extra channels they may not have had access to previously . CRT or flat panel , set top box or inbuilt tuner there would be very few areas that cannot access the majority of channels . I,m not sure how many states have gone fully digital but I assume since its been here in Victoria a fair while its extensive elsewhere . I would find it hard to believe people would choose Bolt over any of the many options available . Not just because Bolt is boring but because that type of program doesn,t rate well regardless who hosts it . Modern version of Santamaria I would think , never watched it .
Andrew Bolt is popular because of the Herald Sun with a specific group of readers whose cognitive abilities peak at being able to digest the dribble contained in that abysmal excuse for a paper. That demographic seems more predisposed to vote for the coalition, however even they would struggle to watch the 30 minutes of the Bolt report. It is boring beyond measure – when Andrew Bolt was on Insiders he made it interesting by adding a more confrontation view which was balance by an intellectually capable group of other panelists, on his own show he is a very poor carbon copy of any one of dozen fox news presenters.
Possibly Andrew Bolt is popular in regional areas that can not receive his show. I know personally that I have a more positive attitude towards Andrew Bolt when I am in an area where I can not receive his show.