Reality ratings: MKR v The Block

The Block Villa Wars clawed back favour over My Kitchen Rules in the ratings last night.

TV2's My Kitchen Rules NZ delivered some hot competition this week as it faced off against The Block on TV3 but viewers seem to be backing the DIY series.

Monday night saw MKR dominate the schedule as it premiered to 328,000 viewers (aged 5+) compared to The Block's 272,000.

The tables were turned slightly in the 25 to 54 demographic, where the DIY reality show scraped ahead with 159,000 viewers versus the cooking show's 157,000.

But last night saw The Block: Villa Wars firmly ahead, drawing 298,000 viewers aged 5+ and 170,000 in the 25 to 54 age group, beating MKR on 247,000 and 117,000 respectively.

The popular home chef format was almost axed following last year's disappointing ratings on TV One, before being moved to a new home on TV2 this year.

New Zealand Herald columnist Alex Casey gave MKR season two the big thumbs up saying she was "obsessed" after just two episodes.

"What I like about My Kitchen Rules is that it consistently strikes a perfect balance between the raucous social experiment of Come Dine With Me and the alienating jus-drenched wizardry of Masterchef," she said.

She felt the Battle of the Regions led to a broader representation of New Zealand than last season managed.

Her pick for top team? Monique and Henry Heke from Hawke's Bay.

- nzherald.co.nz