The Masked Singer’s final moments pull 1.191 million TV viewers

The Masked Singer was the most popular television program in the metro markets last night, pulling 1.191m viewers for the final unmasking.

The show became somewhat of a logistical nightmare for Network 10 when a COVID-19 outbreak struck down some of its background performers. It was then put on hiatus as the producers grappled with how to finish it during lockdown.

Its final episode was therefore scattered across multiple cities, with judge and Hit Network drive host Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes in Melbourne alongside fellow judge Dannii Minogue. Sydney-based Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, from KIIS FM breakfast, and host Osher Günsberg were back in their hometown, and Urzila Carlson was over in Auckland, New Zealand.

Look, this WOULD be a standing ovation if 50% of our panel could… well… stand without leaving the shot! #MaskedSingerAU pic.twitter.com/3kTRCjpQn9

— The Masked Singer Australia (@maskedsinger_au) September 14, 2020

The grand final revealed actor, writer and performer Eddie Perfect as ‘Frillneck’, while singer Kate Miller-Heidke was the unmasked ‘Queen’ and took out the runner-up position. Singer Bonnie Anderson, or ‘Bushranger’, took home the prize, making it her second reality competition win. Anderson was the first winner of Australia’s Got Talent back in 2007, when she was just 12 years old.

Despite the show’s logistical hurdles, its final moments were the most-watched TV moment across the metro markets last night. With the addition of regional figures, The Masked Singer Australia – The Final Reveal had 1.675 million viewers.

The final unmasking also topped the key demographics of those aged 16 to 39, 18 to 49, and 25 to 54.

The main episode had a metro audience of 1 million, and a combined audience of 1.373 million.

Beverley McGarvey, the chief content officer and EVP of Network 10’s parent company ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, noted the challenges faced by the program.

“COVID and the resultant lockdown in Melbourne created some significant challenges for us and I would like to thank our creative, imaginative and resilient crew, our partners at Warner Bros., and the team at 10 led by executive producer Stephen Tate,” she said.

It has now, she said, cemented its position as one of the most popular family entertainment shows in the country.

“Great performances, a play along guessing game and one jaw-dropping moment after another is a winning combination across all platforms and with all ages. My sincere appreciation and thanks to Osher, Jackie, Dave, Dannii, Urzila for their talent, energy and for bringing their A game when we needed it most. Thanks also to our amazingly talented celebrities for braving the stage and bringing us such pure entertainment,” she said.

“Thank you also to our viewers. Their enthusiasm for the show is incredible. We can’t wait to bring The Masked Singer Australia back in 2021.”

The Masked Singer beat out rival The Block on Nine, which secured 791,000 in the cities and 1.068m overall.

Plate of Origin on Seven had just 342,000 metro viewers in the same timeslot.

Later in the evening, Ten’s Have You Been Paying Attention? featuring Hit Network host Ash London had 767,000 metro viewers. The show, also on 10, had a combined audience of 1.049 million.

Overall, this meant Network 10’s primary channel had a winning audience share of 19.1%, narrowly ahead of Channel 9’s 19.0%. Channel 7 had 15.7%, ahead of ABC’s 13.2% and SBS’ 4.7%.