New-look 'Fair Go' ratings hit

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It's juicy, but it's certainly not a lemon.

TV One's new-look Fair Go is continuing to squeeze the best out of our consumer affairs gripes since relaunching this month with new co-presenter Alison Mau.

Ratings for the first two episodes of the programme show the introduction of Mau, alongside Gordon Harcourt and stalwart Kevin Milne, has helped to build on the long-running show's success.

The first episode attracted 554,170 viewers aged 5 and over, up from 542,870 for the first episode of last year's series.

Viewership then jumped 18 per cent for the second episode, attracting 609,310 viewers.

The same episode last year drew in 448,840.

Of all people watching TV on Wednesday night between 7.30pm and 8pm, one third were watching Fair Go.

Programme editor Graeme Muir said producers were "thrilled" with the new-look show. It aimed to build on ratings Milne has established in his long-running Fair Go career.

"We always look to evolve and change the show - it really is a case of anticipating what people want to keep growing," he said.

"Ali is a fantastic presenter, a pro, and we're glad to have her on the team."

Mau's appointment is part of the "succession plan" for Milne, who is 61 and had to stand down for a period last year while undergoing surgery on a benign brain tumour.

But for now, he is continuing to play a role in the more serious and hard-hitting segments.

"Kevin is definitely one of the best broadcasters in the country," Muir said.

"We've always mixed the serious stories with those with a lighter touch."

TV promos for the new show leading up to the first episode gained a lot of attention, with clips of Mau squeezing a lemon and saying: "Don't buy a lemon, watch Fair Go and get the juice".

Milne didn't miss out on the promo fun either, getting to kick around lemons on the set.