A night really no different to summer viewing (it’s a an off week for official ratings). The final part of the ABC’s examination of recent Australian economic history was fine  (it had 964,000 national viewers, which was respectable). But I am uncomfortable about boasting how the economy dodged a bullet, especially when there’s one loaded in the gun in Canberra with the Abbott Government’s finger on the trigger and unable to understand what the economy needs now is TLC and stimulus, not more cuts and confusion. Catalyst had 1.073 million viewers and continues to confirm (to me anyway) that you can make science, technology and the use thereof, plus the theory, interesting to viewers. But last night was a night to forget in the haze of Easter eggs and bunds and the fine fading light of autumn.

Tonight, Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell and the third part of the ABC’s look at Australian comedy. Must viewers for anyone interest in being not only entertained, but also informed.

Network channel share:

  1. Nine (28.8%)
  2. Seven (25.1%)
  3. Ten (20.7%)
  4. ABC (19.4%)
  5. SBS (5.9%)

Network main channels:

  1. Nine (19.5%)
  2. Seven (17.0%)
  3. ABC (14.5%)
  4. Ten (14.0%)
  5. SBS ONE (4.7%)

Top digital channels: 

  1. Gem (5.3%)
  2. 7TWO (4.5%)
  3. GO (4.3%)
  4. 7mate, Eleven (3.6%)

Top 10 national programs:

  1. Nine News — 1.455 million
  2. Seven News — 1.349 million
  3. ABC News — 1.276 million
  4. Home and Away (Seven) – 1.257 million
  5. Catalyst (ABC) — 1.073 million
  6. 7.30 (ABC) — 1.020 million
  7. Making Australia Great (ABC) — 964,000
  8. A Current Affair (Nine) — 962,000
  9. Bondi Rescue (Ten) — 951,000
  10. Seven News/ Today Tonight — 919,000

Top metro programs:

  1. Seven News — 1.013 million
  2. Nine News — 1.002 million

Losers: Viewers. Just a weak night of viewing.Metro news and current affairs:

  1. Seven News — 1.013 million
  2. Nine News — 1.002 million
  3. Seven News/ Today Tonight — 919,000
  4. Nine News 6.30 — 902,000
  5. ABC News (7pm) – 891,000
  6. A Current Affair (Nine) – 804,000
  7. 7.30 (ABC) — 716,000
  8. Ten Eyewitness News — 530,000
  9. The Project 7pm (Ten) — 514,000
  10. The Project 6.30pm (Ten) — 415,000

Morning TV:

  1. Sunrise (Seven) – 295,000
  2. Today (Nine) – 285,000
  3. The Morning Show (Seven) — 150,000
  4. News Breakfast (ABC 1,  88,000 + 40,000 on News 24) — 128,000
  5. Mornings (Nine) — 115,000
  6. Studio 1o (Ten) — 59,000

Top five pay TV channels:

  1. Fox 8 (2.7%)
  2. LifeStyle  (2.1%)
  3. TVHITS  (1.9%)
  4. A&E (1.8%)
  5. UKTV (1.7%)

Top five pay TV programs:

  1. Comedy Central Roast (Comedy Channel)  – 86,000
  2. AFL: 360 (Fox Footy) – 63,000
  3. The Big Bang Theory (Comedy Channel) – 54,000
  4. Eastenders (UKTV) – 54,000
  5. Back Page (Fox Sports 1) – 54,000

*Data © OzTAM Pty Limited 2013. The data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of OzTAM. (All shares on the basis of combined overnight 6pm to midnight all people.) and network reports.