Throng

FOX SPORTS 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership season has kicked off with a bang, in a weekend of strong viewership growth culminating in a record audience for the Monday Night Football clash between the Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers.

A peak audience of 464,000 tuned in to see the Round 1 blockbuster between the Bulldogs and Tigers, with the match securing an average of 365,000 viewers – an all-time record for rugby league on FOX SPORTS. This result surpasses the previous record of 361,000 set in last season’s Round 21 match between the Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters.

Last night’s EXCLUSIVELY LIVE broadcast is also the highest rating program across subscription television in 2010 and 2011.

FOX SPORTS screened five matches EXCLUSIVELY LIVE in the opening round of the 2011 NRL season, securing an overall average audience of 288,000 across those games – an increase of 38% on the corresponding round in 2010.

NRL Super Saturday scored big audience gains, with all three matches up on the corresponding Round 1 timeslots in 2010. The 5.30pm match between the New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels match was up 46% on the 2010 game, while at 7.30pm the Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons contest was up 30%. The Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles match rounded out FOX SPORTS Super Saturday coverage and recorded a 37% increase.

FOX SPORTS live coverage continued on Sunday, with the Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks match at 2pm up 23%.

David Malone, CEO of FOX SPORTS, said: “After an exciting opening round of competition, this is a strong result for FOX SPORTS as Australia’s sports leader.

“FOX SPORTS commitment to rugby league is unparalleled and it’s a true testament to the game to see such strong year-on-year growth across all of our live match coverage.”

FOX SPORTS coverage of the 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership is available to FOXTEL and AUSTAR subscribers.

2011 NRL Telstra Premiership – FOX SPORTS Ratings Stats

Highest rating NRL match on FOX SPORTS: 365,000 (Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, 14 March 2011). Previous 361,000 (Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters, 31 July 2010)

5.30pm 12 March 2011 (New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels): Average audience 262,000, up 46% on 2010 Round 1 Saturday 5.30pm timeslot.

7.30pm 12 March 2011 (Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons): Average audience 329,000, up 30% on 2010 Round 1 Saturday 7.30pm timeslot.

9.20pm 12 March 2011 (Melbourne Storm v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles): Average audience 162,000, up 37% on 2010 Round 1 Saturday 9.20pm timeslot.

2.00pm 13 March 2011 (Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks): Average audience 194,000, up 23% on 2010 Round 1 Sunday 2.00pm timeslot.

7.00pm 14 March 2011 (Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers): Average audience 365,000, up 51% on 2010 Round 1 Monday 7.00pm timeslot.

Overall average audience across five EXCLUSIVELY LIVE matches: 288,000. An increase of 38% on Round 1, 2010.

One of Family Guy’s writers has apologised for an insensitive joke he posted on Twitter regarding last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Alec Sulkin posted a message that compared the quake death toll to that of the Pearl Harbour attack in WWII.

Sulkin wrote:  ”If you wanna feel better about this earthquake in Japan, google  ’Pearl Harbor death toll.’”

The Hawaii attack killed around 2500, a number that Sulkin at the time believed was much higher than that of the Japan quake and tsunami.

He later deleted the post and apologised: “Yesterday death toll %0F 200. Today %0F 10,000. I am sorry for my insensitive tweet. It’s gone.”

He then changed tack and targeted reality show Jersey Shore:  ”If you wanna feel better about the floods in New Jersey, google ‘MTV’s Jersey Shore,’”

Source: HeraldSun

It seems like the season has only just begun, but already we have a mid season finale for Packed to the Rafters tonight (March 15).

Actor Erik Thompson who plays Dave Rafter in the hit series in an interview with Confidential has said he is not too pleased with the break in the season.

“These decisions are out of our hands,”he says. “I don’t like audience members being played around with. They’re such a loyal audience. I don’t know why they’re doing it. As long as the public realises we’re not too happy about it either, I suppose.” Series five starts filming in October.

The break in production, however, will allow the father of two to spend more time with his family as well as a well earned break.

Winners and Losers premieres next Tuesday March 22, at 8.30, while Rafters is off until later in the year.

Source: Confidential

Monday March 14, 2011

Shares:
1 Seven 24.3% (nw 33.0%)
2 Nine 19.0% (nw 25.4%)
3 Ten 15.3% (nw 19.4%)
4 ABC1 13.7% (nw 16.7%)
5 7TWO 4.9%

6 SBS ONE 4.6% (nw 5.4%)
7 7mate 3.8%
8 GO! 3.7%
9 ELEVEN 3.6%
10 GEM 2.7%

11 ABC2 1.4%
12 ABC News 24 1.1%
13 SBS TWO 0.8%
14 ONE HD 0.6%
15 ABC3 0.5%

Top shows for the day:
Ranking Ch: Program 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 Ch: 7 SEVEN NEWS 1,416,000 360,000 406,000 271,000 147,000 233,000
2 Ch: 7 MY KITCHEN RULES-MON 1,373,000 335,000 403,000 288,000 160,000 187,000
3 Ch: 9 A CURRENT AFFAIR 1,190,000 336,000 436,000 216,000 103,000 99,000
4 Ch: 9 NINE NEWS 1,168,000 334,000 403,000 244,000 100,000 87,000
5 Ch: 7 TODAY TONIGHT 1,153,000 294,000 325,000 228,000 119,000 187,000
6 Ch: ABC1 ABC NEWS-EV 1,096,000 296,000 375,000 181,000 108,000 136,000
7 Ch: 7 CONVICTION KITCHEN-MON 1,033,000 279,000 329,000 192,000 120,000 112,000
8 Ch: TEN GLEE 1,031,000 246,000 351,000 215,000 65,000 154,000
9 Ch: 7 HOME AND AWAY 998,000 274,000 242,000 231,000 118,000 132,000
10 Ch: 9 TWO AND A HALF MEN 986,000 260,000 391,000 176,000 61,000 98,000
11 Ch: TEN TEN NEWS AT FIVE 902,000 267,000 295,000 128,000 93,000 119,000
12 Ch: ABC1 AUSTRALIAN STORY-EV 826,000 236,000 249,000 145,000 84,000 112,000
13 Ch: TEN THE 7PM PROJECT 798,000 178,000 280,000 167,000 60,000 113,000
14 Ch: 9 THIS IS YOUR LIFE 796,000 230,000 282,000 135,000 68,000 82,000
15 Ch: 9 $#*! MY DAD SAYS 790,000 220,000 310,000 122,000 54,000 85,000
16 Ch: ABC1 7.30-EV 781,000 217,000 248,000 134,000 69,000 112,000
17 Ch: 7 BROTHERS & SISTERS 776,000 245,000 250,000 126,000 67,000 87,000
18 Ch: TEN HOUSE MON 701,000 161,000 236,000 137,000 71,000 96,000
19 Ch: ABC1 Q&A-LE 635,000 208,000 191,000 109,000 70,000 57,000
20 Ch: 9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT 624,000 199,000 294,000 0 54,000 76,000
21 Ch: ABC1 FOUR CORNERS-EV 598,000 152,000 203,000 102,000 57,000 84,000
22 Ch: 7 DEAL OR NO DEAL 574,000 133,000 167,000 128,000 62,000 84,000
23 Ch: ABC1 MEDIA WATCH-EV 541,000 153,000 188,000 89,000 51,000 60,000
24 Ch: 9 HOT SEAT 527,000 127,000 148,000 147,000 62,000 42,000
25 Ch: TEN GOOD NEWS WEEK 527,000 100,000 177,000 86,000 85,000 80,000
26 Ch: 9 FROST ON PARKINSON 514,000 146,000 182,000 73,000 55,000 59,000
27 Ch: TEN THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL 449,000 98,000 147,000 113,000 41,000 50,000
28 Ch: TEN 6PM WITH GEORGE NEGUS 449,000 134,000 157,000 59,000 48,000 51,000
29 Ch: TEN TEN EVENING NEWS 412,000 104,000 145,000 74,000 37,000 52,000
30 Ch: 7 SUNRISE 380,000 110,000 76,000 108,000 27,000 59,000
31 Ch: ABC1 LATELINE-LE 346,000 124,000 91,000 67,000 30,000 34,000
32 Ch: ELEVEN NEIGHBOURS 341,000 60,000 135,000 69,000 43,000 34,000
33 Ch: 7TWO JONATHAN CREEK 340,000 94,000 88,000 50,000 47,000 60,000
34 Ch: TEN GOOD CHEF BAD CHEF 324,000 70,000 108,000 67,000 40,000 39,000
35 Ch: 7 SEVEN NEWS AT 4.30 319,000 66,000 91,000 92,000 37,000 33,000
36 Ch: TEN JUDGE JUDY 308,000 72,000 93,000 64,000 38,000 40,000
37 Ch: TEN 6PM WITH GEORGE NEGUS LATE RPT 304,000 66,000 119,000 30,000 43,000 47,000
38 Ch: 9 TODAY 300,000 107,000 81,000 66,000 23,000 24,000
39 Ch: 7TWO HEARTBEAT (R) 300,000 60,000 81,000 55,000 58,000 46,000
40 Ch: ABC1 DOG WHISPERER WITH CESAR MILLAN-EV 288,000 63,000 97,000 55,000 33,000 40,000
41 Ch: SBS ONE MAN VS WILD 286,000 81,000 83,000 49,000 33,000 40,000
42 Ch: TEN TWO GUYS AND A GIRL 272,000 61,000 90,000 62,000 29,000 31,000
43 Ch: SBS ONE MYTHBUSTERS 269,000 71,000 64,000 58,000 36,000 41,000
44 Ch: 9 NINE AFTERNOON NEWS 265,000 76,000 65,000 64,000 34,000 26,000
45 Ch: SBS ONE WORLD NEWS AUSTRALIA 262,000 65,000 101,000 45,000 23,000 28,000
46 Ch: GO! THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV TX1 261,000 68,000 81,000 55,000 33,000 23,000
47 Ch: 7mate FAMILY GUY-ALL NEW MON 257,000 57,000 77,000 45,000 36,000 42,000
48 Ch: 7 SEVEN MORNING NEWS 255,000 40,000 126,000 37,000 27,000 25,000
49 Ch: 7 DAWN PORTER: MY BREASTS COULD KILL ME 246,000 69,000 97,000 41,000 20,000 21,000
50 Ch: 7 THE MORNING SHOW 240,000 56,000 82,000 50,000 27,000 25,000

Top shows in 16-38s:
Ranking Ch: Program 5 City Metro Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 Ch: 7 MY KITCHEN RULES-MON 457,000 120,000 116,000 99,000 48,000 73,000
2 Ch: TEN GLEE 446,000 106,000 144,000 101,000 23,000 71,000
3 Ch: 7 CONVICTION KITCHEN-MON 388,000 115,000 121,000 68,000 36,000 47,000
4 Ch: TEN HOUSE MON 332,000 61,000 114,000 85,000 27,000 45,000
5 Ch: 9 TWO AND A HALF MEN 315,000 104,000 119,000 51,000 15,000 25,000
6 Ch: 7 BROTHERS & SISTERS 289,000 108,000 79,000 49,000 22,000 31,000
7 Ch: TEN THE 7PM PROJECT 288,000 63,000 101,000 70,000 20,000 34,000
8 Ch: 7 SEVEN NEWS 278,000 76,000 89,000 48,000 27,000 38,000
9 Ch: 9 $#*! MY DAD SAYS 275,000 86,000 110,000 46,000 13,000 20,000
10 Ch: TEN GOOD NEWS WEEK 264,000 51,000 100,000 36,000 33,000 44,000
11 Ch: 7 HOME AND AWAY 259,000 77,000 56,000 55,000 26,000 45,000
12 Ch: 9 A CURRENT AFFAIR 241,000 83,000 90,000 34,000 15,000 19,000
13 Ch: 9 NINE NEWS 226,000 76,000 85,000 38,000 11,000 16,000
14 Ch: TEN TEN NEWS AT FIVE 220,000 78,000 59,000 39,000 24,000 20,000
15 Ch: 7 TODAY TONIGHT 209,000 51,000 53,000 52,000 18,000 35,000
16 Ch: 9 THIS IS YOUR LIFE 184,000 63,000 64,000 33,000 7,000 16,000
17 Ch: 9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT 181,000 78,000 73,000 0 13,000 18,000
18 Ch: ELEVEN NEIGHBOURS 160,000 26,000 69,000 30,000 21,000 14,000
19 Ch: ABC1 ABC NEWS-EV 159,000 41,000 60,000 28,000 17,000 14,000
20 Ch: 7mate FAMILY GUY-ALL NEW MON 155,000 41,000 51,000 18,000 23,000 21,000
21 Ch: TEN 6PM WITH GEORGE NEGUS 152,000 50,000 50,000 23,000 12,000 17,000
22 Ch: TEN TEN EVENING NEWS 145,000 42,000 43,000 33,000 13,000 13,000
23 Ch: TEN 6PM WITH GEORGE NEGUS LATE RPT 132,000 31,000 54,000 10,000 11,000 26,000
24 Ch: ABC1 Q&A-LE 119,000 44,000 37,000 25,000 4,000 8,000
25 Ch: SBS ONE MAN VS WILD 110,000 24,000 30,000 22,000 10,000 23,000
26 Ch: 7mate FAMILY GUY-MON 109,000 16,000 44,000 13,000 20,000 15,000
27 Ch: 7mate HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-MON 106,000 26,000 41,000 14,000 15,000 10,000
28 Ch: 7mate AMERICAN DAD-ALL NEW MON 106,000 21,000 28,000 17,000 19,000 21,000
29 Ch: 7 DEAL OR NO DEAL 105,000 17,000 35,000 26,000 8,000 18,000
30 Ch: GO! THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV TX1 104,000 38,000 38,000 14,000 10,000 4,000
31 Ch: SBS ONE MYTHBUSTERS 102,000 21,000 27,000 21,000 15,000 18,000
32 Ch: 7mate THAT ’70S SHOW 101,000 21,000 38,000 16,000 16,000 9,000
33 Ch: TEN TEN LATE NEWS WITH SPORTS TONIGHT 94,000 19,000 39,000 11,000 5,000 20,000
34 Ch: ELEVEN EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND 91,000 20,000 45,000 10,000 9,000 7,000
35 Ch: ABC1 AUSTRALIAN STORY-EV 89,000 32,000 25,000 15,000 8,000 9,000
36 Ch: GO! THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV 89,000 30,000 27,000 13,000 13,000 6,000
37 Ch: GO! ZOOLANDER -EV 88,000 24,000 35,000 12,000 7,000 10,000
38 Ch: TEN THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL 87,000 13,000 34,000 26,000 9,000 6,000
39 Ch: TEN GOOD CHEF BAD CHEF 82,000 13,000 33,000 19,000 9,000 9,000
40 Ch: ABC1 FOUR CORNERS-EV 82,000 24,000 31,000 13,000 5,000 10,000
41 Ch: ABC1 7.30-EV 81,000 20,000 35,000 10,000 8,000 9,000
42 Ch: ELEVEN SUPERNATURAL 79,000 27,000 27,000 8,000 7,000 10,000
43 Ch: 7 DAWN PORTER: MY BREASTS COULD KILL ME 78,000 25,000 29,000 12,000 5,000 6,000
44 Ch: 9 THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW 78,000 18,000 34,000 10,000 9,000 6,000
45 Ch: 7mate AMERICAN DAD-MON 78,000 10,000 38,000 10,000 12,000 7,000
46 Ch: TEN TWO GUYS AND A GIRL 77,000 11,000 28,000 22,000 8,000 9,000
47 Ch: 7 SUNRISE 77,000 25,000 17,000 19,000 6,000 10,000
48 Ch: ABC1 MEDIA WATCH-EV 75,000 19,000 38,000 11,000 5,000 3,000
49 Ch: 9 FROST ON PARKINSON 70,000 27,000 16,000 10,000 5,000 11,000
50 Ch: 7 THE MORNING SHOW 69,000 24,000 21,000 11,000 10,000 4,000

Top shows on digital channels:
Ranking Ch: Program Average Peak
1 Ch: ELEVEN NEIGHBOURS 341,000 438,000
2 Ch: 7TWO JONATHAN CREEK 340,000 400,000
3 Ch: 7TWO HEARTBEAT (R) 300,000 400,000
4 Ch: GO! THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV TX1 261,000 336,000
5 Ch: 7mate FAMILY GUY-ALL NEW MON 257,000 319,000
6 Ch: GO! THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV 219,000 294,000
7 Ch: 7mate AMERICAN DAD-ALL NEW MON 200,000 275,000
8 Ch: 7mate FAMILY GUY-MON 199,000 246,000
9 Ch: 7mate THAT ’70S SHOW 186,000 230,000
10 Ch: Gem THE ZOO -EV 186,000 239,000
11 Ch: 7TWO MAISIE RAINE 182,000 312,000
12 Ch: ELEVEN EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND 179,000 230,000
13 Ch: 7mate HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-MON 178,000 279,000
14 Ch: Gem THE ZOO -EV TX1 171,000 229,000
15 Ch: GO! ZOOLANDER -EV 168,000 279,000
16 Ch: ELEVEN SUPERNATURAL 157,000 209,000
17 Ch: ABC2 CHARLIE AND LOLA-PM 146,000 156,000
18 Ch: ELEVEN DEXTER 141,000 193,000
19 Ch: ABC2 PLAY SCHOOL-PM 138,000 156,000
20 Ch: 7mate AMERICAN DAD-MON 136,000 170,000
21 Ch: ABC2 DIBO THE GIFT DRAGON-PM 133,000 153,000
22 Ch: ABC2 BALI-PM 128,000 150,000
23 Ch: ABC2 OLIVIA-PM 128,000 150,000
24 Ch: ELEVEN FUTURAMA MON EP 2 127,000 199,000
25 Ch: ABC2 ANGELINA BALLERINA: THE NEXT STEPS-PM 125,000 150,000
26 Ch: ABC2 FIVE MINUTES MORE-PM 124,000 137,000
27 Ch: ABC2 MR MOON-EV 120,000 134,000
28 Ch: ABC2 DRIVER DAN’S STORY TRAIN-PM 120,000 143,000
29 Ch: 7mate SCRUBS 118,000 188,000
30 Ch: ABC2 MISTER MAKER-PM 117,000 130,000
31 Ch: 7mate ACCORDING TO JIM 115,000 158,000
32 Ch: ABC2 LITTLE CHARLEY BEAR-EV 114,000 116,000
33 Ch: Gem ANIMAL EMERGENCY -EV 113,000 169,000
34 Ch: ELEVEN FUTURAMA MON 106,000 150,000
35 Ch: 7mate ACCORDING TO JIM-DAY 104,000 147,000
36 Ch: GO! BEWITCHED -PM 103,000 158,000
37 Ch: GO! BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE -EV 103,000 185,000
38 Ch: ABC2 DOROTHY THE DINOSAUR-AM 100,000 101,000
39 Ch: ABC2 SAMSAM-PM 99,000 116,000
40 Ch: ELEVEN HAPPY DAYS 98,000 130,000
41 Ch: Gem RICHARD HAMMOND’S INVISIBLE WORLDS -EV 97,000 164,000
42 Ch: ABC2 SPICKS AND SPECKS-EV 97,000 145,000
43 Ch: ELEVEN THE BRADY BUNCH 95,000 126,000
44 Ch: Gem FRIENDS -EV 94,000 184,000
45 Ch: ABC2 BOB THE BUILDER: PROJECT BUILD IT-AM 92,000 99,000
46 Ch: ABC2 ADVENTURES OF BOTTLE TOP BILL AND HIS BEST FRIEND-AM 92,000 117,000
47 Ch: 7TWO BARGAIN HUNT 91,000 181,000
48 Ch: ABC2 PEPPA PIG-PM 91,000 127,000
49 Ch: ELEVEN SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH 87,000 122,000
50 Ch: GO! SEINFELD -EV 84,000 148,000

OzTam Five city Live and As Live Preliminary Ratings Figures. Five Cities are Sydney (S), Brisbane (B), Melbourne (M), Adelaide (A) and Perth (P). Figures are shown in order Total, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth. Shows not aired in certain cities denoted by 0 or n/a (not aired).  Does not take into account overruns or extreme last minute programming changes. Shares are 6pm – Midnight unless otherwise stated. Network abreviated to “nw”.

The biggest singing competition in the world is returning to Channel Seven in 2011 – with auditions starting in two weeks.

Created by Simon Cowell, The X Factor is the hottest TV franchise around the globe, having enjoyed epic success in the UK. It is set to launch in the US this year.

The X Factor kicked off on Channel Seven last year. Its grand final saw over 2 million Australians tune in to see Altiyan Childs crowned series one winner.

Altiyan’s self-titled debut album peaked at number three on the ARIA charts with certified platinum sales.  He recently completed sold out live shows across the country.

There is one very exciting change to the format for 2011, with the new minimum age for contestants lowered to 14 years of age.

The X Factor is open to either solo performers or groups. Once through the final audition process, the show’s four judges will take on mentoring roles, as the performers are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups.

This will again culminate with a huge weekly live show, where the singers will battle it out in front of the judges and the Australian public. The ultimate winner will be rewarded with a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.

Since its first UK series in 2004, The X Factor has established itself as the world’s leading singing talent search – successfully launching into over 20 territories, including Sweden, Russia, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Germany.

Auditions will begin this month in Perth and travel around the country.

PERTH

SUNDAY MARCH 27

PARMELIA HILTON

Registration 9am-3.30pm

ADELAIDE

TUESDAY MARCH 29

AAMI STADIUM

Registration 11am-6.30pm

BRISBANE

SATURDAY APRIL 2

SUNDAY APRIL 3

GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE

Registration 9am-3.30pm

SYDNEY

FRIDAY APRIL 8

SATURDAY APRIL 9

SUNDAY APRIL 10

AUSTRALIAN TECHNOLOGY PARK

Registration 9am-3.30pm

MELBOURNE 

FRIDAY APRIL 15

SATURDAY APRIL 16

SUNDAY APRIL 17

MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE

Registration 9am-3.30pm

Full audition details are available at www.xfactortv.com.au

Further details on series two of The X Factor will be announced soon.

The X Factor is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Channel Seven.

Neighbours will now be available to watch on iPhones thanks to the free app from ELEVEN.

The soap, which moved to the new digital channel from Ten in January, will become the first show from any digital multi-channel to graduate to an iPhone app.

Ten’s head of digital media, Nick Spooner, said the episodes will be available within three hours of its original screening.

“We think that the content we’ve got is really well placed for a multi-platform perspective,” Mr Spooner said.

“It gives our audience an opportunity to choose when they want to watch and how they want to watch it. It works well for our advertisers as well. It gives them a chance to extend their reach and their engagement with our audience.”

The ELEVEN app is available free from the iTunes store.

Tonight ‘7.30’ will combine with ‘Foreign Correspondent’ to produce a one hour special, covering the latest situation in Japan.

There will be extended interviews and reports from ABC Correspondents on the ground.

Channel Seven has acquired the brand new series from award-winning, Michelin-starred chef, Heston Blumenthal.

Premiering next month on Seven, HESTON’S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE sees Heston attempting to help four of Britain’s biggest brands dramatically transform their food production.

Heston uses his maverick culinary genius to tackle the unique dilemmas that British Airways, The Royal Navy, the Cineworld cinema chain and the NHS’s largest children hospital face in their kitchens. He conducts outrageous and bizarre experiments in his quest to find solutions where other chefs have failed.

As the companies are drawn into his world, staff are flabbergasted by his seemingly impossible ambitions. But Heston’s biggest challenge comes in the toughest test of all – the real world, where the customers will be his toughest critics.

Heston is currently in Australia for a series of corporate engagements and a one-off public event, tonight at Sydney’s State Theatre.

A self-taught chef, Heston Blumenthal’s route to the top has been an unconventional one, involving rule-breaking, unusual experiments and an exploding oven. His restaurant, The Fat Duck, has been awarded three Michelin stars and was voted Best Restaurant in the World in 2005.

HESTON’S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE starts April on Seven.

Being Human given fourth season

BBC series Being Human has been commissioned for a fourth season by its network. The supernatural series, which screens here on ABC2, will return for a further eight 60-minute episodes.

Larry King to join Daily Show?

The New York Post is reporting that former talkshow host Larry King may become an occasional contributor on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. 

Benz lands pilot role

No Ordinary Family actress Julie Benz has joined the cast of an upcoming pilot for American network CBS. Benz’s No Ordinary Family co-star Michael Chiklis has also joined a pilot project, fuelling speculation the supernatural series will not be renewed for a second season.

Bachelor, Bachelorette renewed

The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have both been renewed for more seasons in the US, with the former coming back for a 16th run while the latter will mark its seventh season later this year.

The biggest singing competition in the world is returning to Channel Seven in 2011 – with auditions starting in two weeks.

Created by Simon Cowell, The X Factor is the hottest TV franchise around the globe, having enjoyed epic success in the UK. It is set to launch in the US this year.

The X Factor kicked off on Channel Seven last year. Its grand final saw over 2 million Australians tune in to see Altiyan Childs crowned series one winner.

Altiyan’s self-titled debut album peaked at number three on the ARIA charts with certified platinum sales. He recently completed sold out live shows across the country.

There is one very exciting change to the format for 2011, with the new minimum age for contestants lowered to 14 years of age.

The X Factor is open to either solo performers or groups. Once through the final audition process, the show’s four judges will take on mentoring roles, as the performers are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups.

This will again culminate with a huge weekly live show, where the singers will battle it out in front of the judges and the Australian public. The ultimate winner will be rewarded with a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.

Since its first UK series in 2004, The X Factor has established itself as the world’s leading singing talent search – successfully launching into over 20 territories, including Sweden, Russia, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Germany.

Auditions will begin this month in Perth and travel around the country. 

PERTH
SUNDAY MARCH 27
PARMELIA HILTON
Registration 9am-3.30pm

ADELAIDE
TUESDAY MARCH 29
AAMI STADIUM
Registration 11am-6.30pm

BRISBANE
SATURDAY APRIL 2
SUNDAY APRIL 3
GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE
Registration 9am-3.30pm

SYDNEY
FRIDAY APRIL 8
SATURDAY APRIL 9
SUNDAY APRIL 10
AUSTRALIAN TECHNOLOGY PARK
Registration 9am-3.30pm

MELBOURNE FRIDAY APRIL 15
SATURDAY APRIL 16
SUNDAY APRIL 17
MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE
Registration 9am-3.30pm