‘If Matt Hancock’s on, our ratings shoot up!’ Pointless host Richard Osman claims more viewers tune in if an unpopular MP fronts the daily coronavirus briefing
It has won millions of fans and multiple syndications following its successful BBC launch in 2009.
But popular quiz show Pointless has reportedly enjoyed a boost in ratings as a result of the coronavirus crisis, with more viewers tuning in if the daily briefing – which airs at the same time – is fronted by an unpopular MP.
It’s understood that the popularity of each Tory figurehead determines how many people tune in to the show, which airs on BBC2 at 5:15 while the briefing takes place on BBC1.
Inconsistent: Pointless has reportedly suffered fluctuating viewing figures as a result of the coronavirus crisis, with ratings going up or down depending on which political figure is leading the Government’s daily briefing
According to Richard Osman, who created the show, ratings increase if beleaguered Health Secretary Matt Hancock fronts the live Q&A, only to dip if popular Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak takes the reins.
He told The Mirror: ‘Pointless is definitely getting a new audience, although we’re up against Boris Johnson or Matt Hancock sometimes.
‘If it’s Matt Hancock, our ratings shoot up, but when it’s Rishi Sunak, we’re in trouble. He’s very much the Bradley Walsh of the Cabinet.’
Divisive: According to Richard Osman, who created the show, ratings dip if beleaguered Health Secretary Matt Hancock fronts the live Q&A
… only to increase if popular Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak takes the reins
Pointless sees four teams of two contestants attempt to find the correct answers to four rounds of factual questions, with the triumphant team given an opportunity to win the show’s cash prize.
Reflecting on its increasing popularity, host Alexander Armstrong admitted the ongoing lockdown has had a positive effect on ratings.
‘We’re spending an awful lot of time inside our heads,’ he told the Radio Times. ‘For some people, that’s a nice place to be, and for some, it’s a very difficult place to be.
Funny: ‘If it’s Matt Hancock, our ratings shoot up, but when it’s Rishi Sunak, we’re in trouble. He’s very much the Bradley Walsh of the Cabinet,’ explained creator Richard Osman
‘A quiz show distracts you. You can’t be worrying as much if you’re trying to think of an African country.’
The show has had a peak viewing figure of seven million in the years following its launch, with its success resulting in a move from BBC2 to BBC1 in 2011.
Its easily replicated format has also been syndicated globally, notably in Australia, where it launched in 2018.
Serbia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland and Switzerland also offer their own versions of the show.
Success: Reflecting on its increasing popularity, host Alexander Armstrong (pictured with Osman) admitted the ongoing lockdown has had a positive effect on ratings
Popular: The show has had a peak viewing figure of seven million in the years following its launch, with its success resulting in a move from BBC2 to BBC1 in 2011