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Puberty Blues' modest ratings numbers leave Ten network down in the dumps Puberty Blues' modest ratings numbers leave Ten network down in the dumps
(6 months later)
Another Australian drama has failed to find an audience on the struggling Ten network, which only managed to attract 538,000 viewers for the debut of series two of Puberty Blues on Wednesday night.Another Australian drama has failed to find an audience on the struggling Ten network, which only managed to attract 538,000 viewers for the debut of series two of Puberty Blues on Wednesday night.
On Monday the highly anticipated Australian multi-media murder mystery Secrets and Lies launched to just 403,000 viewers.On Monday the highly anticipated Australian multi-media murder mystery Secrets and Lies launched to just 403,000 viewers.
The 18-month delay between series one and series two of Puberty Blues has been blamed by some for the poor performance, although Ten’s inability to promote new shows on air because of its smaller audience share is likely the main reason.The 18-month delay between series one and series two of Puberty Blues has been blamed by some for the poor performance, although Ten’s inability to promote new shows on air because of its smaller audience share is likely the main reason.
“Puberty Blues is one of the most beautifully made Aussie dramas ever,” television historian Andrew Mercado said. “Nothing rates on Ten these days but this would make you weep.”“Puberty Blues is one of the most beautifully made Aussie dramas ever,” television historian Andrew Mercado said. “Nothing rates on Ten these days but this would make you weep.”
Ten’s share is so low it was beaten by the ABC last year overall and it came fourth again last week – the third week of official ratings for 2014 – after Seven, Nine and the ABC.Ten’s share is so low it was beaten by the ABC last year overall and it came fourth again last week – the third week of official ratings for 2014 – after Seven, Nine and the ABC.
Seven’s daily home-grown soapie, Home and Away, almost doubled Puberty Blues with 903,000 viewers at 7pm. Nine’s new Australian drama Love Child launched to 1.3 million two weeks ago.Seven’s daily home-grown soapie, Home and Away, almost doubled Puberty Blues with 903,000 viewers at 7pm. Nine’s new Australian drama Love Child launched to 1.3 million two weeks ago.
Puberty Blues, based on the classic 1970s book of the same name, takes the storyline of the two teenagers living in a Sydney beachside suburb beyond the scope of the original book but has the same stellar cast of actors including Claudia Karvan and Rodger Corser.Puberty Blues, based on the classic 1970s book of the same name, takes the storyline of the two teenagers living in a Sydney beachside suburb beyond the scope of the original book but has the same stellar cast of actors including Claudia Karvan and Rodger Corser.
Series one won a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for actress Brenna Harding and an AACTA Best Television Drama Series award for creators John Edwards and Imogen Banks.Series one won a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for actress Brenna Harding and an AACTA Best Television Drama Series award for creators John Edwards and Imogen Banks.
But high expectations for the drama were not realised, partly because the lead-in program on Ten, The Biggest Loser: Challenge Australia, averaged 325,000 viewers which is a terrible platform to launch from.But high expectations for the drama were not realised, partly because the lead-in program on Ten, The Biggest Loser: Challenge Australia, averaged 325,000 viewers which is a terrible platform to launch from.
The first series of Puberty Blues achieved lower than expected audiences too, but the lowest audience was 653,000 in September 2012.The first series of Puberty Blues achieved lower than expected audiences too, but the lowest audience was 653,000 in September 2012.
The delay in screening series two was a reason for concern, according to Puberty Blues director Glendyn Ivin who told industry website Mumbrella before the broadcast he was glad the second series was “finally out there”.The delay in screening series two was a reason for concern, according to Puberty Blues director Glendyn Ivin who told industry website Mumbrella before the broadcast he was glad the second series was “finally out there”.
“They [Channel Ten] sat on it for a while. In theory it was meant to be on last year and I’m not sure why they didn’t show it, but I’m glad it’s finally out there. Definitely. We’re very proud of it.”“They [Channel Ten] sat on it for a while. In theory it was meant to be on last year and I’m not sure why they didn’t show it, but I’m glad it’s finally out there. Definitely. We’re very proud of it.”
“The thing for Channel Ten at the moment is to try to get people aware of it who aren’t watching. There’s an online presence and promotions in bus shelters and other places where it isn’t on TV, whereas I can see Channel Nine shows that are doing well are promoting on air which seems to be the best way to promote a TV show.”“The thing for Channel Ten at the moment is to try to get people aware of it who aren’t watching. There’s an online presence and promotions in bus shelters and other places where it isn’t on TV, whereas I can see Channel Nine shows that are doing well are promoting on air which seems to be the best way to promote a TV show.”
The poor results for the two dramas undercuts Ten CEO Hamish McLennan’s stated strategy to launch new shows on the back of the Sochi Winter Olympics and the Big Bash League.The poor results for the two dramas undercuts Ten CEO Hamish McLennan’s stated strategy to launch new shows on the back of the Sochi Winter Olympics and the Big Bash League.
When he took charge a year ago, McLennan shifted the network’s focus to an older demographic – people aged 25 to 54 – and said that premium sport, ‘'event’' television and premium drama would bring viewers back to Ten. When he took charge a year ago, McLennan shifted the network’s focus to an older demographic – people aged 25 to 54 – and said that premium sport, ‘'event’' television and premium drama would bring viewers back to Ten.
So far it hasn’t worked. Ten’s most pressing ratings problem is the show which screens first thing in the morning: Wake Up had just 33,000 viewers on Wednesday.So far it hasn’t worked. Ten’s most pressing ratings problem is the show which screens first thing in the morning: Wake Up had just 33,000 viewers on Wednesday.