The Power of 10

Channel Nine is set to release its new game show The Power of Ten on the 31st of March. The show has been running in the USA for a long time now but is beginning to struggle. This is mainly due to CBS's decision to place it against the hugely popular Deal or No Deal. Could this be the plan for our local version? Yet another attempt to recapture the 5:30PM prime time slot would not come as a surprise to many viewers.

The show itself surveys viewers during the week leading up to the show. The responses are then collated and the most popular responses recorded. The contestant on the show is then asked the same questions the general public were surveyed with and they have to give the answer that received the most responses during the survey. For each correct guess the contestant earns money which can be up to $1 million for the Australian version.

As for hosts for the show, Eddie McGuire has been passed up on this one. Instead of going with Channel Nine's veteran of game shows, they have gone with the weatherman Steven Jacobs from the Today show. Many are shocked at this choice, including Jacobs who said "I don’t think it has sunk in, actually". While Jacobs admits that McGuire is the master of quiz shows, he isn't quick to dismiss the fact that he has been going to Eddie for advice.

Jacobs describes the show as being a lot more relaxed than other quiz shows. He says that "there is a good vibe about the show" and he is looking forward to being its host. "There is a bit more ad-libbing than usual".

Will this show be the next US export to find success on Australian television. If shown in the prime time slot, could this be the storm that unsettles the smooth run of Deal or No Deal?

Seven dealt a success with Deal or No Deal

Deal or No Deal has been gracing the television screens of Australians' on weeknights at 5:30PM on the Seven network since 2003. With the show to air its 900th episode by the end of this week it is clear that this prime time spot will continue to be held by Seven.

Since its introduction the show has gone through a multitude of revamps to produce the quality half hour of viewing we now have. There have been many special editions including the Psychics Special, Dancing with the Deals, Unluckiest Players and Conflict of the Couples. Each new episode has always added to the shows popularity and it seems like there is little that can stop the success of this show.

Feeling the pain from such a great success is the Nine Network. After many attempts to recapture the lead-in to the news segment, Nine is yet to prevail. One attempt was Bert's Family Fued which experienced a short life span after losing to Seven's Deal or No Deal along with many others.

The lead-in to the news is a crucial slot and was described once by the late Kerry Packer as the key to making people watch your news and current affairs. With Deal or No Deal dominating this slot, Seven's nightly news and current affairs show, Today Tonight, are experiencing continued growth. One crucial addition to the Deal or No Deal show for Seven was the crossing to the news room before the final cases are opened. This makes the viewer see what is coming up and often secures their viewing for the next hour or so.

Can Nine regain this segment or is this lost to Seven forever?