Ratings wrong, claims Holmes

Paul Holmes has challenged official television rating numbers that show his new Prime TV programme is attracting a dismal number of viewers.

The current affairs veteran's show is shifting to 6pm - the first casualty in the 7pm battle between Paul Holmes, TVNZ's Close Up and TV3's Campbell Live.

The Herald On Sunday understands Prime Television has even gone as far as commissioning its own survey of viewer numbers.

The results are believed to show the number of 25 to 54-year-olds watching the show are more than double the number recorded in the official ratings.

Holmes and Prime TV chief executive Chris Taylor refused to comment on the poll.

However, Holmes said he was concerned about the sample size being used by AGB Nielsen. "I don't think the recorded ratings have recorded our viewership. I think there is a problem," he said.

He admitted he was disappointed with the figures, which have shown that in the 25-54 age bracket the show is pulling in only about 2.5 per cent of total viewers.

However, he said the only moments of nostalgia he felt for his former employer were for the resources he used to have.

"Even though it's been incredibly difficult, I'm prouder of this programme than I was of Holmes".

AGB Nielsen executive director Nick Jones said the company stood by its viewer figures, which hada margin of error of plus or minus3 per cent.

Mr Jones said it had been discussing the issue with the New Zealand Television Broadcasting Council over the past six months. However, it was satisfied its methods conformed to industry-set standards with a valid sample size.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY