Viewers show their loyalty to Campbell

John Campbell and his staff have tweeted thanks to supporters after a jump in audience numbers. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Presenter and staff thrilled as ratings rise after news that TV3’s long-running current affairs show may be taken off the air.

Ratings for Campbell Live have jumped since news the television current affairs show may be axed.

On Monday, Campbell Live was viewed by 358,100 people aged 5 and older, 8.5 per cent of the total audience, according to Nielsen. In the coveted 25 to 54-year-old bracket, 143,800 people tuned in - 7.7 per cent of that audience.

And the ratings continued their good run of form on Tuesday, grabbing 327,920 viewers to become the most viewed show on TV3.

This was a big rise from the previous Tuesday, following the Easter break, when Campbell Live was watched by 221,900 people aged 5 and older (5.3 per cent of the audience) and 63,700 in the 25-54 bracket (3.4 per cent).

MediaWorks spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer said the TV3 parent company would not comment on Campbell Live's ratings while the show was still under review.

But yesterday staff of the show, headed by veteran broadcaster John Campbell, took to Twitter to thank its viewers for support, writing: "Thanks for sticking with us New Zealand. See you tonight!"

Since it was announced that Campbell Live was under review, three separate petitions to save the show have gathered more than 95,000 signatures between them.

Former Labour leader David Cunliffe gave the nod to the broadcaster by changing his Twitter profile picture to a mugshot of Campbell.

Prime Minister John Key told NewstalkZB many Kiwis wanted to watch lighter, more entertaining shows in the 7pm timeslot, like TVNZ rival Seven Sharp.

Mr Key said commercial television's role was not to hold the Government to account.

"It is to entertain its viewers and follow news stories. A great many of those don't involve the Government, some do."

Mazda, which has sponsored Campbell Live for seven years, would not comment on the announcement that the show was being reviewed.

"[MediaWorks'] announcement is their business, it certainly has no involvement from Mazda," spokesman Glenn Harris said.

Meanwhile, Paul Henry's new show premiered on April 7 to an audience of 51,200 in the 5-plus demographic and 19,700 in the 25 to 54 demographic.

The numbers equate to approximately 1 per cent of both demographics, and the show's ratings have remained at that level throughout the week.

"We are very happy with the way Paul Henry has launched," Ms Lorimer said.

She said compared with previous weeks across the same three-hour time slot, TV3's ratings had jumped 82 per cent among 25 to 54-year-olds.

Between April 7 and 13, TV One's Breakfast was watched by an average of 2.8 per cent of Kiwis aged 5 and over, and 2.4 per cent aged between 25 and 54.