War of words over ratings
Seven and Nine have called off their court date but the breakfast TV war is still raging. Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage (above) and Nine’s Lisa Wilkinson yesterday sent out “victory” tweets likely to antagonise both sides of the battle.
SEVEN and Nine have called off their court date but the breakfast TV war is still raging.
Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage and Nine’s Lisa Wilkinson yesterday sent out “victory” tweets likely to antag- onise both sides of the battle.
Seven had planned to pursue Nine’s Today show in Federal Court yesterday over its claims to be “Australia’s No.1” breakfast show after posting the most weekly wins across the key five-city markets.
But the legal warfare will not proceed, after Seven says Nine “settled” the matter before a ruling on the ratings metric could be adjudicated.
Meanwhile, Nine says Seven has “seen sense” and “dropped” the case, making no comment on claims it has agreed not to promote itself as the breakfast leader.
It is understood Nine’s lawyers agreed Today would not use three phrases in promotion: “Australia’s No.1 breakfast show,” “No.1 in the country” and “Australia’s most watched.”
A Nine spokeswoman said: “We congratulate our Today show team on winning the most weeks across the five capital cities for 2016.”
Seven’s Craig McPherson said: “We’re pleased Nine has now admitted Sunrise is Austrlaia’s No.1 and mostwatched breakfast show.”