HDTV Ratings: December 3-5

TV One’s new HD drama Alcatraz scarcely proved a breakout hit when it debuted on Wednesday.

It averaged 2.3% – 6.4% of key demographics, and was most popular with the network’s target audience, 25-54 -year-olds.

Dominion Post TV Critic Jane Clifton dubbed it a “satisfying little pocket version of Lost … Though obviously hokem, it’s a nifty blend of crime story and sci-fi thriller.”

Even so, it was out-rated 2:1 by a double-episode of TV2’s The Big Bang Theory and lost to the first half of TV3’s movie The Siege in all the demos except 25-54.

At 9.30, a re-run of Criminal Minds proved more popular with the same demo than TV2’s Revolution: the former averaged 1.9% – 5.3% and the latter, 3.8% – 6.3%.

At 10.30, The Walking Dead continues to rate solidly, averaging 3.4% – 5.5%.

On Tuesday, TV2’s The Mentalist and Body of Proof again were the most popular post-Shortland Street dramas while on Monday both Grey’s Anatomy (8.5% – 11.2%) and Homeland (3.4% – 7.3%) lost to The Suspects (5.2% -9.1%) in the 25-54 stakes.

Unforgettable bowed out with 3.1% – 5.9% opposite Private Practice’s 5.4% – 7.3% and Nurse Jackie’s 2.2% – 3.6%.