The Weekend Mumbo: Could TV records tumble thanks to the Matildas?
In February, 1983, the final episode of long-running war drama/comedy MASH was watched on 72% of the television sets in New York City – a ratings record that stands to this day.
A few minutes after the two-and-a-half hour episode aired, 1.2 billion litres of extra water flooded the city’s water mains.
Not only was all of New York tuning into the heart-rending finale, they were simultaneously holding their bladders while doing so.
But don’t forget that when a mass of Aussies watched Cathy Freeman’s great 400m gold medal run the Australian population was 19.0 million.
Our current population clock estimates the population at 26.7m which is a 40% increase making the comparison a pretty facile way to pump up the PR release.
Great story, Nathan. But you neglected to note Seven’s 2005 Aussie Open Men’s Final (Lleyton Hewitt loss) actually holds the all-time OzTAM 5 City Metro record with 4.04m (a smidge ahead of Seven’s 2003 Rugby World Cup Final) and adding RegionalTAM regional affiliates the tennis balloons to 5.7 million. Next was Ten’s 2010 MasterChef Australia Winner Announced (Adam Liaw winning), then the Rugby. Also the only three ever to register over 4 million in OzTAM history. Also, last year’s Australian Open Women’s Final (Ash Barty winning) is only 3.6m on broadcast, it rose to 4m (4.3m) in VOZ total tv. Wonder what Matilda’s’ Quarter did tonight, let alone Wednesday’s Semi! Unreal, go Aussies 🙂