Gudinski’s ‘phenomenal’ Anzac Day concert a ratings winner for Nine
In less than 10 days, Michael Gudinski delivered the impossible.
His Music from the Homefront special was a ratings winner on Saturday, securing a national peak audience of 1.419 million Australians and a national average audience of 1.159 million viewers.
Talking to TMN last Thursday, Gudinski said the concert was about bringing the country together, to celebrate and honour the Anzacs and workers on the frontline of the Coronavirus response.
The event was broadcast on Channel Nine in Australia and Channel Three in New Zealand, in an Anzac Day concert the likes of which Australia had not seen before.
For people aged 16-39, it was the #1 program in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and the #1 show of the night in metro markets for people ages 25-54, according to OzTAM data.
Performances were also streamed, with isolating Aussies joining the commentary on social as the nation were treated to over three hours of live music
We’ve now had two hours of original Australian music on prime time commercial TV – with a captive audience. Shame it took a pandemic for this to happen but hopefully people discover or rediscover some amazing local talent #HomeFront
— Cameron Adams (@cameron_adams) April 25, 2020
Wow! A pared down “Throw Your Arms around Me” is exactly what’s needed right now. The brave Anzac spirit of selflessness and sacrifice lives on in our frontline healthworkers and teachers #HomeFront #HealthcareHeroes #AnzacAtHome #LestWeForget ????????❤️ Mark Seymour @jamesreynemusic
— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) April 25, 2020
Loving the home grown tunes and checking out the interior design choices of all the artists. Clean houses on the most part. Well done ???? #HomeFront
— Andy Lee (@andytomlee) April 25, 2020
Between home studio, home physio and home haircuts (thanks PS!) … watching Aussie and Kiwi mates like #JamesReyne on #musicfromthehomefront this #Anzacday Love and gratitude. I MISS YOU!!! #homefront ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0u21pgth9e
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) April 25, 2020
Hosts David Campbell, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem and Christian O’Connell helped prove that live music on commercial free-to-air TV can work outside of tried reality and awards formats.
Music From The Home Front, which featured over 50 of Australia and New Zealand’s most iconic music acts performing songs from their homes, was the dominant show of the night.
“This one’s come together in 10 days,” Gudinski told TMN.
“You’d think I’d have two months, particularly under these circumstances with no staff around me, but I’ve got a lot of people helping me.”
The Mushroom Group boss also told TMN the event was his “brainchild”, enlisting the help of good friends Jimmy Barnes, and industry executives John Watson and Susan Heymann, to unpack it.
“Jimmy has really helped. John and Susan have been amazing. The reaction has been phenomenal.”