An action replay from a week ago. Nine dominant because of The Block in the metros again, and very much so in the regionals. Seven weak. Ten weak and again dragged down by Australian Survivor, and the ABC solid — which should be the pattern again tonight.

The Block was Number 1 nationally and in the metros, but second in the regions – it had a season high 1.730 million national viewers (1.212 million metro and 518,000 regionally).

Australian Survivor again was weak, failing to get to the million viewer mark nationally. The 853,000 nationally (649,000 metro/204,000 regionally) will be enough to keep Ten sort of happy, but what about the sponsors ad advertisers? Seven’s The Big Music Quiz had 1.344 million nationally: 873,000 metro, 470,000 regionally. Its figures have stabilised and will encourage Seven.

In the regions,the most watched programs were: Seven News with 572,000, The Block with 518,000, The Big Music Quiz was third with 470,000, the 7pm ABC News was fourth with 409,000 and Sunday Night was fifth with 403,000.

A Place To Call Home did a lot better with last night’s second episode averaging 156,000: 50% more than the 101,000 a week ago. Small figures, good response from viewers.

Howard on Menzies was OK. A bit like one old buffer (John Howard) talking about another. Malcolm Turnbull was clearly out of his depth. It is a pity Malcolm Fraser died and Alan Reid, the great political journalist is no longer with us, or Ian Fitchett, another great political journalist from the past, with lot’s of views and opinions on Menzies. They would have a contemporary view on Menzies. A useful primer in many respects. The most stunning part of the hour was his movies taken on various trip. That surely is worth a special on its own: not a hagiography, but as the basis for a very unique view of a career, and especially the early days of World War II. Wasn’t there any interviews: film, TV or audio in the national archives where Menzies contemporaries talked about him?

Menzies didn’t contribute much to modern Australia except the Liberal Party. His was a white Australia,with few if any omen. Holt at least started easing the White Australian Policy (over the opposition of Caldwell and the ALP and Trade Unions). Menzies have us the unnatural fear of the red/yellow hordes and dominos. His economy was protectionist (and the ALP and the unions enthusiastic supporters). The modern, Asian skewing (and increasingly multicultural Australia) Australia with an open, efficient and solid economy, would have been a shock to him, the ALP and the unions and of course, the most conservative of all, business of all sizes. It remains a time when Pauline Hanson and her supporters and other dingbats on the right (and some on the left and among the Greens) would have felt right at home. Next week is the second a final part.

Menzies had no support among younger viewers and did better in the over 55’s, among women 35 and over and did sort of OK in the 25 to 54 age group (especially at the top of that group). In other words it has solid support from the ABC’s core audience and in effect was a form of preaching to the converted. Group reinforcement among older viewers who would normally vote Liberal or National Parties.

Network channel share:

  1. Nine (31.4%)
  2. Seven (26.1%)
  3. ABC (17.6%)
  4. Ten (16.8%)
  5. SBS (8.1%)

Network main channels:

  1. Nine (21.2%)
  2. Seven (17.2%)
  3. ABC (13.2%)
  4. Ten (12.1%)
  5. SBS ONE (6.1%)

Top 5 digital channels: 

  1. GO (4.7%)
  2. 7mate (3.6%)
  3. 9Life (3.0%)
  4. 7TWO (2.7%)
  5. ABC 2, 7flix (2.6%)

Top 10 national programs:

  1. The Block (Nine) — 1.730 million
  2. Seven News  — 1.675 million
  3. Nine News — 1.512 million
  4. The Big Music Quiz (Seven) — 1.344 million
  5. ABC News — 1.268 million
  6. 60 Minutes (Nine) — 1.125 million
  7. Sunday Night (Seven) — 1.095 million
  8. Vera (ABC) — 999,000
  9. Howard On Menzies (Nine) — 927,000
  10. Australian Survivor (Ten) — 853,000

Top metro programs:

  1. The Block (Nine) — 1.212 million
  2. Nine News — 1.113 million
  3. Seven News — 1.104 million

Losers: Seven and Ten.

Metro news and current affairs:

  1. Nine News — 1.113 million
  2. Seven News — 1.104 million
  3. ABC News – 859,000
  4. 60 Minutes (Nine) — 765,000
  5. Sunday Night (Ten) — 693,000
  6. Ten Eyewitness News — 478,000
  7. SBS World News — 247,000

Morning TV:

  1. Insiders (ABC, 240,000, 95,000 on News 24)
  2. Weekend Sunrise (Seven) — 284,000
  3. Landline (ABC) — 271,000
  4. Weekend Today (Nine) — 252,000
  5. Offsiders (ABC) — 148,000

Top five pay TV programs:

  1. F1: Singapore GP (Fox Sports 5) — 171,000
  2. A Place To Call Home (showcase) — 156,000
  3. Supercars Sandown  (Fox Sports 5) — 148,000
  4. StarWars V11: The  Force Awakens (Foxtel Movies Premiere) — 99,000
  5. Supercars Sandown Sunday  (Fox Sports 5) — 86,000

*Data © OzTAM Pty Limited 2016. 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.