UK ratings: ‘Cloud 9’ raises Zing’s profile

Zing’s experiment with the UK’s first locally produced and recorded Asian drama ‘Cloud 9’ has made a lukewarm start in the ratings but lifted the channel’s profile.

The English drama, which kicked off on Monday (7th January) airs at 18:30 (original), with repeats at 22:30, 10:30 and 16:30. While Monday’s viewing figures are still being verified, Tuesday’s ratings saw the show did below the channel’s average.

According to exclusive UK viewing data obtained by BizAsia from Attentional, ‘Cloud 9’ delivered an audience of 4,100 during the 18:30 – 19:00 slot – peaking to 15,200. The 22:30 repeat brought in an additional 7,300 viewers – peaking at 17,500 during the course of the show.

Comparing data to a week ago (1st January), when the channel aired ‘Business Bollywood’ at 18:30, Zing got a viewership of 24,600 and the 22:30 slot did not register a big enough audience. The staggered scheduling of ‘Cloud 9’ meanwhile will no doubt in raise the channel’s viewership in other day parts.

Zing must be credited for its attempt to launch such a show, which thusfar has not been trialled by another UK broadcaster. The numbers above will increase when consolidated data becomes available next week as it will include figures for viewers who recorded and watched the show later.

On rival channels, Star Plus managed to remain the most watched UK Asian TV channel with its show ��Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara�۪ topping the charts again with 216,900 viewers tuning in last night at 22:00. ��Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai�۪ was in second place with 154,800 and in third ��Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai�۪ with 150,300. ‘Kaali’ was the least watched show during primetime on Star Plus last night with 85,800 viewers switching on.

On Rishtey, ‘Bairi Piya’ topped the channel list with 59,500, followed by ��Jeevan Saatthi�۪ with 54,500.

Above data is an overnight rating ��� and may change slightly after consolidated figures become available in seven days from BARB.