The Brokenwood Mysteries delivers killer ratings for Prime

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Prime TV’s new local series The Brokenwood Mysteries charmed Kiwi viewers last night to give the channel its highest Sunday night rating in the 8.30pm timeslot all year.

Nearly 200,000 viewers watched Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and his off-sider Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) solve the first suspicious death in Brokenwood last night – double Prime’s normal ratings in this time slot.

Prime achieved a 13% share in the 5+ demographic, similar to the international blockbuster movie Prometheus on TV3 which also screened last night.

Head of Prime Karen Bieleski was thrilled with the response.

“It’s great to see our own local mystery perform so well, particularly when you consider that this slot has most recently been home to top international murder franchise Poirot,” she said.

“We have had terrific feedback from critics and couldn’t be happier to see that local viewers are tuning in in their thousands. It’s a credit to everyone at South Pacific Pictures who have delivered a wonderfully watchable Kiwi mystery series and NZ on Air for supporting fresh new home-grown drama on Prime.”

In the channel’s 25-54 demographic, The Brokenwood Mysteries rated a 3.2 TARP/10% share, again rating nearly double the 2014 average.

Viewers not only voted with their remotes, but droves took to their social media accounts to comment on The Brokenwood Mysteries. Comments included: “Enjoyed it, beautifully shot & well-paced.”; “Surprisingly good NZ TV comeydrama”; “ loved it! will be eagerly waiting for next week”; and “Brilliant. Loved it. Homegrown masterpiece.”

In next week’s episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries, “Sour Grapes”, it’s the annual Brokenwood Wine Show and Mike and Kristin find there’s more than just wine stored in the fermentation vats.

The Brokenwood Mysteries, 8.30pm Sundays on Prime.