New Channels

The battle for rating supremacy is still being waged between Channel Seven and Nine. Seven was the market leader for the last few years knocking the champions- Nine of from their podium and showing that they need to refocus their programming. It appeared for the time being at least that Nine were not- 'Still the One'. However when they released Go! they were able to reconnect with the younger generation and have thus improved their position. With Go! becoming a rather popular Channel.

However just because they are increasing the amount of free-to-air channels they are not increasing the amount of local content that Australians have been clamoring for. With Go! showcasing many American shows, mostly in a re-run format. Thus giving further evidence and precedence for upcoming television writers to aspire to the US of A, where writers seem to be employed.

The new Channel Seven offering after the success of Seven 2 is going to be called Seven Mate- which is aimed at the Male market; with shows such as "AMERICAN DAD, FAMILY GUY, PARKS AND RECREATION and sci-fi dramas CAPRICA and WAREHOUSE 13 alongside factual hits FIFTH GEAR and MEGA DISASTERS." Seven Mate will premier at the HD AFL Grand Final on the 25 September at 6pm- with a light and relatively safe opener of 'That 70's Show'. They will also follow the tradition of the subsidiary channels of returning the well-missed tradition of the Friday Night Movie. Further information can be found on the official site http://au.tv.yahoo.com/mate/article/-/article/7759064/.

In contrast Channel Nine will try to pull the ladies with their sly pick-up Channel called Fems. Actually only half of that is true, with their new Channel, GEM, Nine will focus on attracting female viewers the day after Mate starts- possibly a smart move to not compete with the AFL opener- it tends to be a male remote dominated day.
"GEM will be a mix of new content, classic comedies, cherished drama series, all-time favorite movies, and all of Nine’s sport coverage in high definition.

GEM is designed to complement Nine’s premium channel, and the network’s number one multi-channel, GO!, attracting females 35+ and grocery buyers." They will be banking upon the success of a relatively new show 'The Big C'- perhaps a more risky gamble compared to the Mate offering. With other shows such as Weeds and Friends and Secret Diary of a Call Girl. For more information refer to the official Nine information article http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7960634.

Mate or Gem will either of them usurp the current channels, unlikely but the audience will certainly have more to choose from, and as the broadcasters hope more gender battles for the remote.

Dale Stam

What do you think of Mate or Gem, leave us a comment or send in a request.