Paddy Gower Has Issues — and Viewers

Wednesday’s premiere of Paddy Gower Has Issues made a respectable ratings debut in the commercial demographic that matters most to Three but didn’t deliver the blockbuster numbers of the host’s one-off issues specials.

It averaged 3.27% of 25-54 year-olds, which was an 18.10 share of this demo and 67,047 viewers.

That made it the third most popular programme on the network that night, after Newshub Live at 6pm (4.73 rating/29.05 share) and The Project (3.51 rating/17.7 share).

It also cracked the top 10 shows among 25-54s, finishing eighth.

At 7.30, it out-rated TVNZ 1’s re-run of The Celebrity Chase (2.94 rating/19.55 share) but not TVNZ 2’s MasterChef Australia (4.03 rating/24.20 share).

Issues lead-out Couples Therapy didn’t fare as well at 8.30, when the premiere averaged 1.42% of 25-54s for an 8.92 share (or 29,051 viewers).

It lost to both TVNZ 1’s Location Location Location (2.66 rating/20.73 share) and TVNZ 2’s Taskmaster (2.36 rating/19.28 share).

The most watched 25-54 shows of the night were 1 News at 6pm (7.72 rating/46.05 share), Seven Sharp (6.28 rating/35.20 share), The Chase (4.64 rating/48.07 share) and MasterChef Australia.

Reviews of Issues were positive. “A strong and terrific start for all,” reckoned the NZ Herald. “No Dennis Conner storming out of the studio a la Paul Holmes’ first show in 1989 – but for Gower, a great story under his belt, some genuine laughs, and a new format that deserves every success.”

Stuff took issue with some aspects but concluded: “It’s not bland, it feels like it could go completely off the rails in a good way – and it seems to celebrate actual journalism. More please.”