HDTV Heads-Up: October 6-12

As predicted, HD Broadway drama Smash is exiting stage right from primetime after weeks of persistently low ratings.

It will screen after TV3’s Sunday night movie, starting October 7 with episode six.

The series struggled in the US, too, but won a last-minute reprieve after analysis of its consolidated ratings (which include PVR viewing) compensated for its low overnights.

But similar analysis in this market has yet to reveal significant differences between overnight and consolidated ratings.

Smash’s dumping follows TV3 having to reschedule another ratings dud, Tricky Business, from 8.30 Tuesdays to 9.30.

Kudos to TV3 for not interrupting their runs but both moves are likely to precede a new, late-night shift for police drama The Killing, which won’t be able to sustain its 9.30 Wednesday slot for much longer without a sharp lift in viewership.

While TV3 has been rating well early in the evening, with shows like The Block NZ, The X Factor USA, The Ridges and Drug Bust, it seems cursed in the drama stakes, with only Underbelly: Badness holding its own.

The big test will be how Homeland performs from Monday, when it airs within hours of its US broadcast.

The first season was only a modest success for TV3 and although it’s just won a string of Emmy Awards, the network is taking no chances with the second: it’s being double-billed with Californication and the premiere will be repeated late-night on October 6.

Also of note in HD for the week starting October 6:

❑ Chuck’s fifth and final season starts on Thursday (TV2, 10.35)

❑ Season finales of CSI: New York on Saturday (TV3, 8.30) and The Whole Truth on Tuesday (TV2, 11.30)

❑ Re-runs of the movies Catch Me If You Can on Saturday (TV3, 11.40) and Couples Retreat on Sunday (TV3, 8.30)

❑ Another chance to see the movie spin-off, Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkin From Outer Space, on Saturday (TV2, 6.00).