Ratings for “The Runner” Disappoint
The TVB ratings report for the week ending March 14 was just released. The Runner <大步走> disappointed in its premiere week, averaging only 18.8 ratings points. This is only the first week of ratings, but dramas which start off with such weak ratings usually find it difficult to change its fate.
Starring Joel Chan (陳山蔥), Elaine Yiu (姚子羚), Max Cheung (張達倫), and Tiffany Lau (劉穎鏇), Joel and Elaine are already considered first tier actors, while Max makes a strong supporting actor. Tiffany is also a rising actress being heavily promoted by TVB. The casting should be readily accepted by the audience, but the problem stems from the script. While the series is focused on running, the first five episodes instead fall back on typical unresolved family grievances and relationship issues. The storyline is not enticing, and the arc of Joel searching for his long-lost daughter was revealed too early, thus negating any suspense.
The Runner premiered with its highest ratings at 20.6 points last Monday, and steadily declined in the following days, finally averaging 18.8 points for the whole week. Compared to Armed Reaction 2021 <陀槍師姐2021> which aired in the previous week, The Runner‘s ratings dropped by almost five points. The Runner is closely chasing Mainland Chinese drama Legend of the Phoenix <凤弈> for the lowest rated series aired on TVB. Even Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) was unable to save its ratings, as Legend of the Phoenix averaged only 18 points during its run when it concluded in January 2020.
In contrast, other series airing last week performed slightly better. Come Home Love: Lo and Behold <愛·回家之開心速遞 > continues to bring in steady ratings, averaging 25.4 points for the week and peaking at 26.4 points for Thursday’s episode. The Forgotten Day <失憶24小時> averaged 23 points, with the highest ratings at 24.6 points on Thursday. Rerun drama The Justice of Life <他來自江湖> averaged 5.9 points with the highest ratings on Friday with 6.6 points.
Variety show Feng Shui for the New Year <新春開運王> also dropped from 17.1 to 15.5 points. Two episodes of Tiger’s Talk, which were broadcast on TVB’s J2 Channel, received 4.7 points. It is currently J2’s highest rated show, and would likely stimulate higher viewership if it were aired on TVB instead.
Source: HK01
This article is written by Kiki for JayneStars.com.
I didn’t even bother watching it. The trailer and advertisement before it aired didn’t catch my attention at all. A drama that revolves around running is as good as that bicycle drama with Him Law and Sisley Choi in it. In other word: boring.
A journey called life was probably the best one when it comes to running. It was heartwarming yet made me cry. It was also one of Linda Chung’s best roles, of course I feel her best roles were all with Steven Ma. Elaine was actually it that one too, and her acting was superb there. The story here is already overused and therefore not refreshing. They need new ideas.
@abcd I still rem this show. It’s a good drama, Linda Chung did acted quite well in her earlier days but for some reason she has regressed as she became more famous.
@arc78 she has regressed… And I sometimes wonder if it’s because tvb keeps Giving her the same crying roles, or if it’s because she has anxiety and she’s only comfortable acting around her close friends like Steven, Fala etc.
Wasn’t this drama already aired via online? That could be why…
@exodus It was…. like 90% of the shows in the last few months. I don’t know why people find it so newsworthy lol.
But also this was a bad drama.
If people really wanted to watch Legend of the Phoenix, they would’ve watched it when it came out in the mainland.
The Runner was also released earlier on myTVBsuper or Gold, so people already watched it then if they were truly interested in the storyline or cast
There was no climax in this drama. I think they just wanted to take the trend of running, but were unable to write a good story. -____-