The first series of the SBS Australian production of Who Do You Think You Are? concluded last night after a stunning run during the summer period.
The six-episode run recorded outstanding results for SBS, including the record achievement of debuting with the highest ever audience for an SBS Australian-produced program.
The first Australian episode, featuring veteran actor Jack Thompson, aired last month and delivered SBS’s biggest ever audience in the Sunday 8.30pm timeslot, with 857,000 viewers, for 21% of the total audience. SBS out-rated channels 9 and 10 in a stunning result.
According to OzTAM figures, the six episodes achieved an average of 603,613 5-City Metro viewers and a five station share of 12.5%. Share was particularly strong with the over 40s, with 50-64s achieving an 18.3% share for the Australian series.
Richard Finlayson, SBS director of commercial affairs, said the Australian adaptation of the BBC’s genealogical detective series had aroused Australians’ curiosity about the backgrounds of some of their more celebrated countrymen.
‘The success of Who Do You Think You Are? demonstrates that we are very capable of adapting successful programs for a local audience,’ Mr Finlayson said.
‘The BBC’s UK version performed strongly last year and proved to be the ideal ‘appetiser’ for the local production.’
The next six episodes, which screen from 24 February, will feature: Amanda Redman, David Baddiel; Lesley Garrett; Vic Reeves; Sue Johnston; and Ian Hislop.
Meanwhile, SBS grew its audience by 7.6% in the first week of the ratings surveys for 2008. This included a 27% surge in the OG1 audience and 18.9% among women 25-54.
For the week commencing 10 February, Top Gear was the top program once again with 761,000 viewers, followed by Who Do You Think You Are? (533,000), Inspector Rex (434,000), Food Safari (395,000) and Marx & Venus (379,000).
[release from Access Public Relations]