Married At First Sight’s finale plunges half a MILLION viewers from last year – after a disastrous season saw most of the scandals happen off camera
Married At First Sight delivered its highest ratings this season on Sunday night, but the numbers were still significantly lower than last year’s finale.
More than 1.48 million people tuned in to watch the last episode, which pales in comparison to the 1.97 million who watched the conclusion of 2019’s season.
This loss of almost half a million viewers represents 24.8 per cent decline.
Disappointing: Married At First Sight delivered its highest ratings this season on Sunday night, but the numbers were still significantly lower than last year’s finale. Pictured: Lizzie and Seb
The numbers are surprising given that more people are staying at home watching TV this year because of coronavirus lockdowns and social distancing rules.
Furthermore, it is believed viewers switched off this season because many of the major storylines revolved around incidents that happened off camera.
Moments such as Michael Goonan and Hayley Vernon’s ‘party pash’ and Aleks Markovic’s ‘secret date’ with Persian restaurant owner weren’t shown.
Low times: Despite ending at a season high, OzTAM reports numbers were almost half a million down compared to last year’s 1.97 million
Without footage of the events to support the show’s narrative, producers apparently struggled to tie together the plot and come up with alternative storylines.
Given than MAFS typically draws two million viewers per episode in the lead-up to the finale, Channel Nine and Endemol Shine will be feeling the pressure to deliver stronger ratings next year.
Nine is even said to be considering a ‘re-brand’ for 2021 inspired by Australian Survivor’s latest season, tentatively calling the new series MAFS: All-Stars.
Rumours: Celebrities have reportedly been approached to take part in next year’s season of Married At First Sight, according to ‘leaked texts’ sent by relationship expert John Aitken
NW magazine reported on Monday that celebrities and former participants have been approached to take part in next year’s season.
Casting for Married At First Sight’s eighth season is currently under way in Sydney, but it’s believed production has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
MAFS is usually filmed between late August and December, but the 2021 season will most likely begin filming in December and conclude in March.
Double trouble: If these plans go ahead, it won’t be the first time a former participant has returned to the experiment for a second chance at love.