TEN

At the outset of 2009, we set out to create a schedule for TEN that provided depth and consistency in our programming right across the year.

We recognised the need for some change in our domestic content slate and undertook a diligent process of identifying potential new shows that would appeal to - and continue to build - our target audience, and provide an appealing offering to advertisers. We identified a number of key properties including MasterChef Australia, Talkin' 'bout Your Generation and Recruits, as well as the opportunity to address some inconsistencies in our weekday 7pm timeslot.

MasterChef Australia and Talkin' 'bout Your Generation in particular proved to be the new Australian hit shows of the year. These standout shows also helped generate a positive flow-on effect across the schedule as they became valuable vehicles for the promotion of other shows.

The phenomenal success of MasterChef Australia has been widely reported. The season finale attracted an average of 3.73 million viewers, peaking at 4.11 million, and it was the highest rating show of the year and the highest rating non-sporting event since OzTAM ratings began in 2001.

Our 'big event' franchises of The Biggest Loser, So You Think You Can Dance Australia and Australian Idol form a series of 'anchor points' across the schedule, now joined by MasterChef Australia in the mid-year line-up. This means we are well positioned with big event TV franchises, at various levels of maturity, for many years.

These domestic TV events are well supported by our continually building schedule, including the Logie-nominated Rove, Bondi Rescue and the superb Australian drama Rush, which is enjoying even greater success in its second season, and Good News Week as well as newcomers Recruits and Bondi Vet.

TEN's international programming needs are well served by the secure, long-term contracts in place with our US studio partners CBS Paramount International Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television. The quantity and quality of supply from these studio deals has noticeably improved following the interruption and subsequent conclusion of the 2007/08 US writers' strike.

A further benefit of our multiple-studio arrangements is the ability to access programming that reflects our target audiences, with Twentieth Century Fox Television providing content directed to our key target of 18-49 year olds while CBS Paramount delivers content pitched to the 25-54 year-old market.

Our international program haul for 2009 delivered Australia's favourite new international drama in the BBC/NBC co-production Merlin, while NCIS remained Australia's most-watched US series in all key demographics and the new series Lie to Me dominated its timeslot in the highly influential demographics of 18-49, 16-39 and 25-54.

This mix produced a balanced and highly engaging schedule for the year. It also proved successful in the ratings race in TEN's target demographics, while ensuring that our ratings performance for the year is not hostage to the success of any single show. At the close of the 2009 financial year, TEN was:

Our daytime result included a continuing strong performance from TEN News at Five which dominated its timeslot with an all-people share of 43.0 per cent, and attained an 11 per cent increase in audience on last year.

Improved ratings led to improved advertiser sentiment. With the hottest new properties on Australian TV, we expect to be able to more effectively monetise these for the 2010 year, in a market that appears set to improve.

In the schedule for the remainder of 2009 are US shows Glee and NCIS: Los Angeles broadcast 'day and date' with the US market, as well as Celebrity MasterChef. The AFL season culminated in September with 2009's biggest sporting event, the AFL Grand Final.

All ratings data supplied by OzTAM, survey weeks 7-35 excluding Easter.
Metro commercial prime time (18:00-22:30, Sun-Sat) / daytime (09:00-18:00, Mon-Fri) share, excluding digital terrestrial channels. Year-on-year comparisons Wks 7-35 2008 v 2009 excluding Easter and Olympics.