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Cactus m.d. Amanda Ross has told publishers and booksellers to "keep the faith", after viewing figures for "Richard & Judy's New Position" remained low. Booksellers have expressed concern that the lower viewing figures could eventually "have an impact" on the Book Club promotions.
Audience ratings for the show, which launched as the flagship for new digital channel UKTV Watch in October, have dwindled from 143,000 on the first night to a low of 13,000 on 4th December, rising slightly to 38,000 on Tuesday (9th) according to figures provided by Broadcast magazine.
The television duo commanded 1.5 million viewers for their last show on Channel 4 this summer.
Ross was defiant in the face of the viewing figures: "If [the trade] keeps the faith it is going to continue. There's nothing to replace it."
She stated: "It's a whole new channel that didn't exist before, so we're still experimenting with the format." The channel has plans to relaunch the programme at the earlier time of 6 p.m., and is in negotiations for a radio show.
Ross added: "The book club has a life of its own. People who have never watched the show, and who never would watch the show [read R&J] books. It's the stickers and posters—a cohesive campaign is what is important. [People have said to me] it needs to be on [TV] somewhere, it doesn't matter where. The show offers a reason to be behind [R&J books]."
Booksellers spoken to by The Bookseller suggested that next year would be crucial for brand's longevity: one mass-market retailer said: "I think the next few book clubs will be all right, but it will be the Summer Reads that will be crucial for its long-term -success." Another added: "[The lower viewing figures] are bound to have an impact later on."
Michael Jones, books category manager at Borders, said: "I don't believe people necessarily watch the show then buy the book." She added: "If stores continue to have it front of store, the name will carry it." David Cooke, category manager at Tesco, said he had "great faith" in the brand, while Caroline Mileham, head of books at Play.com, said: "If the viewing figures were to continue to decline and eventually disappear, and if there wasn't an alternative [to R&J], it would be a pity for the trade. It can't go on forever so it would be a shame if R&J ended and the trade, both publishers and retailers, hadn't come together to try and engage new readers."