Zen a ratings winner - confirmed

[GreenEyesToo]

ZEN MASTERS MARPLE

Zen, BBC1, 9pm – The new detective series from the makers of Wallander starring Rufus Sewell began its three-part run with an average of 5.114 million viewers, a 20% share between 9pm and 10.30pm.

Zen – it's a Venetian name – beat ITV1's Agatha Christie's Marple, which averaged 4.3 million, a 17.4% share, between 9pm and 11pm.

www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jan/04/bbc-1-zen-holds-sway-over-itv-marple

And that's despite Hugh Bonneville's Twitter campaign on Sunday night to get people to watch Marple! ;D

(BTW, these figures a few years ago would have been a disaster - it just goes to show how much the audience is split these days, especially with the availability of i-Player)

[numbat]

That's fantastic news - and what we need to hear if another 3 episode (or longer) run is going to be commissioned this year.

Fingers crossed ;D

[kissmekate]

Keep watching, folks out there!

[rueful]

Yay!! Thanks for posting!

[anniem]

Great news ! Much much better than Marple !!!!!!!!!!

Was Hugh Bonneville in Marple last night ?

[nell]

Great news. I hope even more tune in next week after they hear about the first episode.

[walt]

Really great news! Hopes are high that there will be more Zen films!
8-

[anyother]

Maybe we should ask Hugh Bonneville to change sides - or maybe not (his twitter campaign wasn't that successfull).

[kygal]

Great news! Whats the deal with the 3 epi stuff. Is this a way to test the audience? Seems like there is always 3 eps then more later with these shows. When will they decide on more? Any chance of it becoming a regular series somewhere or are most of these short lived? Not that anyone knows the answer but I was not sure the history of the Sherlock and Wallander shows.

[vmaciv]

I do not think any show that pulls a 20% share is three episodes and done. I just think BBC wanted to hedge their bets. If the other two shows are as successful i will wager more will follow.

[kissmekate]

Do iPlayer ratings count too?

[GreenEyesToo]

Jan 5, 2011 1:11:24 GMT kygal said:

Great news! Whats the deal with the 3 epi stuff. Is this a way to test the audience? Seems like there is always 3 eps then more later with these shows. When will they decide on more? Any chance of it becoming a regular series somewhere or are most of these short lived?

The 3-episode series seems to be the norm for BBC drama these days, kygal. You may not be aware, but the BBC is publically funded, and everyone has to pay an annual licence fee - and like every other public body here, it is having to make big savings on expenditure.

Making three episodes is probably seen as a cost-effective way to test the waters with a particular drama, yes. I should imagine, with Zen, they will make a decsion sometime after the ratings are in for all the episodes. With Sherlock, they announced the green light for the second set quite soon after transmission, but I believe that is still only going to be three again.

With the BBC budget being slashed, I very much doubt we'd get alonger series - three at a time means the cost is spread over different financial years. Still, three Zens a year wouldn't go amiss - that leaves Rufus with plenty of time for other things! ;D

[kygal]

Thanks for the info. A set of 3 a year is fine with me! I didnt know if there was an option of another "network" to pick it up as a weekly series. Of course, I am not sure Rufus would go for that. Steady employment seems to make him nervous..haha!

[GreenEyesToo]

As the BBC is heavily involved in the production side, I doubt they'd sell it to another network while there's still a chance they can make money out of it!

[ruthie2910]

What I've heard on the radio, in the papers and people's general opinion bodes very well for another series, which is fantastic news for all of us.....and Rufus!

Gloria, I may be joining you if filming is in Rome this summer!