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Nine's Sea Patrol gets a wave of support

THE Nine Network's new drama Sea Patrol sailed to the top of the TV ratings on its maiden voyage last night.

The most expensive Australian drama ever made, Sea Patrol averaged an audience of 1.97 million viewers in metropolitan markets for its debut episode.

The show starring Lisa McCune gave a boost to Nine which saw the network overtake rivals Seven for the week-to-date and put them in a position to take its second weekly ratings victory of the year.

Sea Patrol, created by Hal and Di McElroy of Blue Heelers and Water Rats fame, follows the adventures of the crew aboard the fictional Patrol Boat Hammersley, and is closely based on the real antics of Navy personnel.

The show's debut audience is the biggest attracted by an Australian drama series premiere since the Always Greener was watched by 2.06 million viewers on a Sunday in September 2001.

Despite Nine's success, Seven still managed four programs in the night's top 10 with its news (1.46 million) and Today Tonight (1.37 million) second and third.

Nine dominated the night however with six of the 10 most watched shows to hand it a 35.0 per cent audience share.

Seven was left in its wake, a rare position for the network, with 26.8 per cent of the primetime audience.

Network Ten struggled with its best performing program Law & Order: Criminal Intent 13th for the night with just over one million viewers.

It will now be a tight race for victory in ratings week 27, with Nine ahead of Seven on audience share by 29.5 to 29.0 per cent.

By Michael Gadd
July 06, 2007
AAP