Putting MAFS to shame: Launch of Seven’s Holey Moley mini-golf show defeats Nine’s controversial Grand Reunion series in TV ratings
Married At First Sight has been a ratings hit for Nine for many years.
But it appears the controversial experiment now has a fierce competitor stepping up to the tee in 2021.
On Monday night, the launch of Seven’s mini-golf program Holey Moley notably surpassed MAFS’ Grand Reunion finale in the ratings.
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Putting MAFS to shame: Launch of Seven’s Holey Moley mini-golf show defeats Nine’s controversial Grand Reunion series in TV ratings. Pictured: Holey Moley host Sonia Kruger
Holey Moley, hosted by Sonia Kruger, saw an impressive 983,000 metro viewers tune in to see how the wacky, competitive reality show would play out.
Meanwhile, MAFS only recorded a five-city metro audience of 781,000, which was a decline of more than 80,000 viewers the night prior during the two-part special.
It’s potentially not a good sign to come for when Nine premiere their upcoming eighth season on February 22.
MAFS fifth (2018) and sixth (2019) seasons secured the top spot overall for its seasons in the ratings, but during its seventh season (2020) dropped to second place against rival programs.
Towards the end of MAFS’ 2020 season, the series had seen a significant drop of 25 percent of metro viewers during its final episodes.
Oh no! MAFS only recorded a five-city metro audience of 781,000 on Monday, which was down 85,000 viewers from the special’s part one on Sunday. Pictured: MAFS star Elizabeth Sobinoff
Star appeal! American comedian Rob Riggle (right) shares commentary duties with Seven sports anchor Matt Shirvington (left) on Holey Moley, while golfing legend Greg Norman serves as the resident golf pro
Seven’s Holey Moley series was modeled off the US show by the same name that became an instant ratings hit for ABC in 2019.
Holey Moley brings together ‘the most skilled’ mini golfers from across Australia for a series of challenging one-on-one battles.
American comedian Rob Riggle shares commentary duties with Seven sports anchor Matt Shirvington on the series, while golfing legend Greg Norman serves as the resident golf pro.
Trailing behind both programs on Monday night was Channel 10’s launch of their second season of The Amazing Race with just 501,000 metro viewers.
Will they catch up? Channel 10’s launch of their second season of The Amazing Race trailed behind with just 501,000 metro viewers on Monday night. Pictured: host Beau Ryan
Winner: Despite Nine’s promotional blitz for MAFS, Abbie Chatfield’s (pictured) crowning moment as Queen of the Jungle on Channel 10’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! won overall with a metro audience of 896,000 on Sunday night
The hotly-anticipated MAFS Grand Reunion was also outperformed in the ratings when it launched on Sunday night.
Despite Nine’s promotional blitz for MAFS, Abbie Chatfield’s crowning moment as Queen of the Jungle on Channel 10’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! won overall with a metro audience of 896,000.
The closing moments of I’m a Celebrity only narrowly beat the MAFS reunion dinner party, which had an average metro audience of 866,000.
Holey Moley airs on Seven from 7:30pm Monday to Wednesday, while MAFS season eight will premiere on February 22 on Nine
Tune in: Holey Moley airs on Seven from 7:30pm Monday to Wednesday night