HD Ratings: Arrow Shafts Harry

Episode two of TV3’s widely acclaimed HD commission Harry was skewered by episode two of TV2’s new HD hit, Arrow.

The latter delivered spectacular ratings for the 9.30 hour, averaging 9.2% – 12.2% of the major demographics.

That was 2-3 times the viewership of Harry, which averaged only 4.0% – 4.9% compared to 4.1% – 7.1% for its premiere.

That’s a crushing setback for TV3, coming so soon after The Blue Rose’s failure to sustain its strong start.

But it’s hard to imagine a tougher slot for a local drama as distinctive as this detective series, given Arrow had Shortland Street, My Kitchen Rules, The Big Bang Theory and 2 Broke Girls to help build its audience.

Whereas BBT averaged 14.9% – 16.6% and 2BG 14.4% – 17.6%, Harry’s lead-in 3^rd Degree averaged only 4.3% – 5.0%.

The news was better for the week’s other Kiwi drama, Go Girls.

The TV2 staple won its slot on Tuesday, despite starting at the later hour of 9.00 because of an extra long MKR.

While the ratings were still only single digit in the key age demos — 8.5% – 9.9% — it did top 10% of household shoppers and improved on last week’s shockingly low 6.9% – 8.9%.

Going head to head in HD at 8.30 were Galapagos With David Attenborough (5.3% – 7.3%) and NCIS (5.7% – 8.0%) while, at 9.30, NCIS: Los Angeles rated 4.6% – 6.8% to beat TV One’s premiere of Strangeways (3.9% – 6.3%).

At 10.00, Revenge averaged 5.5% – 8.8% to win the hour while earlier in the night TV3’s HD sitcoms drew roughly three times fewer viewers than MKR: Modern Family averaged 5.8% – 6.0% and Go On, 4.4% – 5.1%.