HDTV Ratings: October 18

TV3’s HD crime shows triumphed over TV2’s new Donald Trump series in the key demographics.

Over two hours, The Celebrity Apprentice averaged 6.7% of 25-54 year-olds and 7.3% of 18-49s whereas NCIS was respectively watched by 11.1%/10.1% and NCIS: Los Angeles, 9.5%/8.7%.

NCIS: Los Angeles

The race was tighter with TV2’s target 18-39 audience, with Apprentice rating 8%.

But it still lagged behind NCIS (8.1%), although it won the first half-hour, and NCIS: LA (8.8%).

Among household shoppers with kids, NCIS easily was tops but the second half of Apprentice narrowly out-rated NCIS: LA (which begins its third season next week).

TV One also suffered a setback, with MasterChef: Australia drawing fewer 25-54s at 7.30pm than Coronation Street did the previous Tuesday (6.6% vs 7.6%).

Meanwhile, in its controversial new slot, the Street rated a respectable 4.2% of 25-54s but trailed TV3’s Home & Away by a point; with HHS/kids, the gap was nearly 2.5 points.

And Prime’s premiere of Downton Abbey’s second season out-rated TV One’s Air Crash Confidential among 25-54s (5.5% vs 4.2%) and 18-49s (3.6% vs 3.4%) but not HHS/kids (3.1% vs 3.3%).