Just 402,000 metro viewers tuned in to watch MKR, while 404,000 switched on SBS to watch its Great Australian Railways Journey, which aired in the same time slot.

Last night’s MKR episode was down 49 per cent on episode 3 last year (789,000), and down 50 per cent on its 2019 series average audience (798,000).

While Seven’s cooking show might be struggling to rise, could summer save Seven? The broadcaster has boasted a win across seven out of nine weeks overall, and six out of nine in prime time over the summer period, mostly thanks to its cricket coverage.

The argument here, however, is that those wins have come outside the official TV ratings period, which formally starts next Monday 9 February.

This, of course, brings back the question of whether a ratings period is an outdated concept (which B&T discussed with 10’s Rod Prosser last week).

In other Australian network TV news, Nine has nothing to worry about as MAFS (Married At First Sight) continues to dominate with 1.067 million viewers tuning in to episode two.

Even the NSW cops are in on the MAFS action, posting this Facebook update last night.

NSW Police Force

Saying "MAFS is on at 7:30!" won't get you out of a speeding ticket tonight. Slow down.

10’s Australian Survivor: All Stars also faired well (though slightly down on launch episode), with 562,000 viewers tuning in last night.

Video | Couldn't find any Micheal Portillo Oz railway footage so have included mini-doco on "The Indian Pacific" - the subject of next weeks SBS Australian Railway Stories with Micheal Portillo!