Breakfast pair pulls in viewers

Petra Bagust and Corin Dann. Photo / Supplied

Breakfast's new pairing of Petra Bagust and Corin Dann, left, have enjoyed an early ratings bounce.

Viewing numbers are up considerably from this time last year, with the first eight shows attracting more viewers than the combined number who watched Breakfast and TV3's Sunrise last year.

Nielsen figures show that average ratings among viewers five and over are up by 43,100, with an average of 156,800 people tuning in.

TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said the audience growth was "honest reward" for the team's hard work.

"There could be many different factors that have contributed to Breakfast's year-on-year growth. The most likely is that it is simply a very good programme in terms of delivering the diet of information and entertainment New Zealanders require at that time of day."

One independent ratings analyst said it was too soon to say if the new hosts would be ratings winners.

"Obviously Breakfast has picked up audience from Sunrise's demise but the average is still higher than both of last year's averages combined. At the moment [the increase] could be anything from a quality programme, people still hanging on after Paul [Henry], or people just testing out the new presenters and format."

TVNZ messageboards have been largely negative towards the hosts, with several complaints about Bagust's tendency to "butt in".

Herald on Sunday TV reviewer Deborah Hill Cone said while Bagust had "exquisite beauty" and Dann exuded the vibe of the "honourable Kiwi bloke who wears loud shirts to a barbie", their chemistry was not great. They lacked "mysterious alchemy", she wrote.

NERVES TO BLAME FOR GAFFES

Nerves were to blame for an embarrassing series of gaffes on Breakfast this week, TVNZ say.

Petra Bagust upset viewers on Thursday when she introduced weather presenter Tamati Coffey by saying he "looks a bit like chocolate".

On Friday, business presenter Nadine Chalmers-Ross said, "We all look a little bit retarded," while talking about dance workout routine Zumba.

Paul Henry was censured in 2009 for using the same term when referring to Susan Boyle.

Corin Dann called South African president Jacob Zuma, Jacob "Zumba".

TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said there was no malice intended and the new line-up were still finding their feet: "In the tension of a live performance some times things come out in ways that weren't intended. The show will settle down over the next couple of weeks when people feel on more familiar territory and they get used to the way the presenters relate to each other."