Former The Footy Show host Garry Lyon has had his say on the program’s struggles this year.
The show has been consistently beaten by Channel Seven’s The Front Bar since the middle of last year.
Channel Nine responded to the ratings by removing then host Craig Hutchison and bringing back inaugural host Eddie McGuire.
Herald Sun journalist Sam Edmund explained what’s happening with the ratings war this year.
“The Front Bar made headlines during the week because it extended its lead over The Footy Show,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“The Front Bar averaged 211,000, it’s best result of the year, The Footy Show averaged 176,000 on the same night.
“Where it’s starting to look significant is The Front Bar is becoming what industry experts term the ‘appointment viewing target’.
“What I mean by that is Channel Seven only got 117,000 for the show before Front Bar, Channel Nine got 187,00 for their lead-in, so The Footy Show took those ratings backwards, while the Front Bar improved theirs.”
Lyon, who hosted the show with former North Melbourne president James Brayshaw for several years, had his say on the show’s struggles.
“The ratings were similarly under 200,000 (when Craig Hutchison was replaced),” he said.
“They’d be worried about those numbers.
“Channel Nine, without wanting to sack the institution, would be worried about those numbers.
“I don’t see (Front Bar), so I’m not qualified to comment, but it’s clearly doing well.”