The numbers for The Latest need to be looked at on a daily basis rather than weekly as it is usually only shown 4 days; 2 weeks ago it was just 3 days. As mentioned above, the total people numbers rate lower than 10’s programs like Law and Order: SVU and the NCIS franchises (and below Nine’s tennis coverage) and on one day it was below One’s program. In the demos, it also generally ranks behind Nine and Ten’s main channels and yes also sometimes behind the programs on 7Mate.
The key consideration is that Seven have bumped the broadcast to 11pm. So next week will be the the crucial test on whether the bulletin survives. What the criteria are that Seven uses to its judge future, we don’t know, but the network is usually quick to act on underperformance especially in what is looking like a very close rating contest this year. In the competitive environment, I don’t think cost savings would be the number one priority, rather gaining a few extra late night viewers would be regarded as key.
Yeah, I agree. If it doesn’t pick up in the ratings over the next week or so, I’d fully expect Seven to think of The Latest as being an over Summer experiment which didn’t quite work and go back to US imports or whatever was previously airing at 10.30/11pm.
One would’ve expected Nine (and possibly Ten) to launch their own clones of the format by now if The Latest was highly successful for Seven.
‘The Latest’ is set to continue after the Big Bash cricket season ends, but in a Monday - Thursday slot. I haven’t seen it confirmed anywhere else, only heard from a friend.
Seriously… put The Latest on earlier. Why invest such an effort in creating something new and that has been well received, to then bury it at 11pm? Of course it will fail. No one is up watching.
I’m back at work and it’s now on delay in Qld, so all I could manage was the first 5 mins before nodding off.
Give it a try at 10pm… al least in Qld while daylight saving is on to see how it goes.
Very glad to hear this is continuing despite some on here asserting that it wouldn’t last at all. It truely is one of the best news broadcasts put to air in Australia.
I hope this is the starting point for Sean Power as I can see him doing bigger things in the years to come at 7.
Gasp, you’ve wounded me with your cutting accusation
I’m playing a long game here, I still reckon it won’t survive in the long run… but as I’ve said previously, I’m a news guy, so happy to be proven wrong… for now