Ten's decision to move its light news and current affairs program The Project to an earlier 6pm timeslot appears to be working, increasing the network's ratings by 22.9%.
The Project's weekday debut last night in the time-slot saw 493,000 viewers tune in, a 22.9% increase in the 6:00pm to 7:00pm block compared to the rest of the summer non-ratings period, according to OzTam.
The figure is also an increase on Ten's average audience figure of 415,000 viewers across the 2011 ratings period in the same time slot. However, Ten's schedule was inconsistent throughout the last ratings year with both George Negus's program and the news bulletin broadcast during that time.
Ten had been plagued by interchanging news schedules in 2011, shifting its normal news bulletin, Negus and The Project around several times. Negus' critically-applauded current affairs program was canceled in October.
Ten chief programming officer, David Mott, said: "We're delighted with the performance of The Project at 6:00pm. These early numbers are exactly what we hoped shifting The Project would do for Ten's early evening schedule. This is a positive start to Ten's long-term strategy to strengthen its early evening line-up."
Follow @AdNews on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at wenleima@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.