MasterChef’s ratings decline continues with 573,000 viewers as it just clings to a spot in the top 10… a month after the season premiere
MasterChef: Back to Win pulled in more than one million viewers a night last year.
But Channel 10’s prime-time series has struggled to maintain these numbers this year without the star power of returning contestants like Poh Ling Yeow.
According to metro ratings published by Mediaweek on Wednesday, the figures aren’t improving as the competition in the kitchen heats up.
Decline: MasterChef Australia’s sad ratings decline has continued with 573,000 viewers tuning in on Wednesday night. Pictured: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong
The show pulled in just 573,000 viewers on Tuesday night, which demonstrates just how fat the cooking show has fallen in just 12 months.
The once-unbeatable program only barely made it into the top 10 most-watched programs of the night, sliding into ninth place.
The show was again outdone by Nine’s Lego Masters, which gained the top spot in the entertainment category.
Ouch! The show pulled in a paltry 573,000 viewers on Tuesday night with its pull appearing to be drastically less this year. Pictured: Jock Zonfrillo
The Hamish Blake-hosted show had a metro audience of 683,000 viewers.
Ratings for MasterChef nosedived soon after the season premiere, falling to 537,000 viewers in its first week.
This was no doubt a sour serving for the reality show which broke the ‘magic million’ mark in its first week last year – including nearly 1.1 million for its second episode.
Downfall: The once proud TV juggernaut barely slipped into the top 10 programs for the night, sliding into ninth spot. It was tenth spot the night before
The cooking program had managed to reach more than a million viewers four nights in a row during its debut week in 2020.
Last month, former Channel 10 executive Rob McKnight said the network would need to take drastic action regarding the ratings.
‘I really have sympathy for those in control at 10, because the show is up against stiff competition in Lego Masters and Big Brother,’ he said.
Beaten at its own game: The show continues to be outpaced by Lego Masters, hosted by Hamish Blake (pictured), which has become the top-rated non-news show
‘Lego Masters has essentially “out-niced” MasterChef and still feels fresh.’
Channel Ten has remained tight-lipped about the ratings this season.
However, Channel 10’s head of drama and executive production Rick Maier told Media Week that ratings were always important.
Commentary: Former Channel 10 executive Rob McKnight has said the network’s top brass should be worried amid plunging ratings to Daily Mail Australia last month
‘We have ratings targets, and very wonderful commercial partners. So obviously the more people we can reach, the happier we’ll be,’ Mr Maier said.
He continued: ‘It’s a great show and it deserves the biggest possible audience. And it’s a great show to watch with friends and family.’
MasterChef continues Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Not so happy: MasterChef continues on Channel Ten, Thursday, 7.30pm