Matthew White’s Today Tonight debut has received an extremely mixed reaction… with Sydney switching on to the sports journo, while Melbourne switched off.
Compared to last Monday, Sydney figures went through the roof for White’s debut, with 47,000 more people tuning in for the first 15 minutes (300,000 up to 347,000) before slipping off for the second 15 minutes.
But in Melbourne, White’s new role was less warmly received, with figures down from 416,000 last Monday, to 381,000 last night for the first 15 minutes.
The neophyte host was congratulated by federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull last night, following the departure of Anna Coren, who is moving to CNN in Hong Kong.
"Thanks for your company it's great to be in the studio but let's get straight down to business," White said before introducing a story on teenagers in juvenile detention centres.
The program also featured starlet Sophie Monk spruiking her new shapewear range.
After nearly a decade of female hosts at the helm, White is the first male host to fill the TT chair since Stan Grant's controversial ejection in 1999.
The numbers
Sydney – Today Tonight ratings
Monday, 6 October, 2008
First half: 300,000
Second half: 279,000
Monday, 13 October, 2008
First half: 347,000
Second half: 308,000
Melbourne – Today Tonight ratings
Monday, 6 October, 2008
First half: 416,000
Second half: 382,000
Monday, 13 October, 2008
First half: 381,000
Second half: 336,000