[rzt]

Welcome to Season 5 of the DS Ratings Prediction Game!

Anyone can play this game- even if you have missed seasons 1-4, because everyone will start level on 0 points. For new players and for older players (as a reminder), here are the rules of the game:

RULES
Basic Format
Every week, you will have to predict the ratings to 15 programmes (10 main, 5 backup) selected by either myself or a colleague. You will need to submit your predictions by the deadline specified.

You will then be scored for every programme and a daily leaderboard will be compiled based on everyone’s scores, ending each week with a final update. There'll be a different table every week, so it doesn't particularly matter if you miss a week. There are 13 weeks per season.

Scoring system
The scoring system will work as following:

5 points- predicted rating is exactly the same as the actual rating
3 points- predicted rating is 0.1m-0.3m away from actual rating
2 points- predicted rating is 0.4m-0.5m away from actual rating
1 point- predicted rating is 0.6m-1m away from actual rating
0 points- predicted rating is more than 1m away from actual rating

Main, Backup and Special programmes
There are 10 ‘main’ programmes (including 2 specials). The ‘main’ programmes are essentially what will rank you in the tables. Using football analogy, they are basically the points which primarily determine your position in the league..

The 5 ‘backups’ come into use when ranking people with the same number of ‘main’ points. Using football analogy, the backups are like goal difference.

‘Backups’ also have another important role. They will also be used in scenarios where a ‘main’ programme is not broadcast, or is significantly altered from its initial schedule. If this situation arises, the 1st backup rating will become a ‘main’ rating, and so on.

And finally, as part of the mains, there are 2 ‘special’ programmes per week. For these ‘special’ programmes, you will get double points. For e.g. if you get a prediction bang on correct, you will get 10 points instead of 5 points. So, these programmes are very important in terms of the game- predict these wisely!

Leaderboards
Alongside the weekly leaderboards, there will also be:
- an overall Season 5 leaderboard by points
- an overall Season 5 leaderboard by weekly average
- a weekly winners list

More detailed rules
- if you submit your predictions on the thread after the deadline specified, you will be penalized accordingly.
- once you post your predictions on the thread, you may not change them later by reposting them or asking for a particular change. This is even if you make a typing error, which is your own fault.
- if you copy someone else’s predictions, I will take action. This could result in you being disqualified from the competition.
- if a main rating (which is a special) is substituted by a backup rating, the backup rating will become the special.
- if a particular rating is reported differently in different media sources and there is not 100% confirmation (by DS’s 2 decimal point system), I will ask my own source for the rating. If this does not work out, I will void the predictions for that show and use a backup as a main rating.
- if a programme overruns for a significant time (usually football or a live event), the rating for the entire broadcast (including the overrun time) will be used. If the media do not report the rating in accordance to this, I will ask my own source for the rating (including the overrun time). If this does not work out, I will void the predictions for that show and use a backup as a main rating.
- if by the end of the season, there are two or more people equal in top spot, the overall season points (including backups) will be counted to determine the winner. If the overall points (including backups) is the same, tie breaker ratings will happen until a winner is established.

The first week schedule is 2 posts down.

I hope everyone enjoys the game and good luck!

[rzt]

ROLL OF HONOUR

Season 1
1st: RobbieSykes123 - 285.5 ... 2nd: Roscoe Barnes - 285 ... 3rd: rzt - 269

RobbieSykes123 won the inaugural season in the closest way possible. After 130 predictions, RobbieSykes123 and Roscoe Barnes amazingly ended up with the same number of points - 285. A tie-breaker then occured and RobbieSykes123 edged it, therefore winning the season.

Here are the weekly winners of season 1:

Week	Name----------------------	Points	Dominancy (%)		
1	ronant----------------	23	58
2	rzt----------------------	26	57
3	RobbieSykes123---------	30	40
4	A Cillay-------------	27	21
5	Roscoe Barnes--------	28	73
6	RobbieSykes123---------	29	33
7	Dancc-----------------	21	31
8	Thebenster---------	32	35
9	DS Rob E-----------	24	23
10	RobbieSykes123-----	22	55
11	A Cillay-------------	21	26
12	C14E------------------	19	50
13	Jonwo----------------	27	31

Dominancy- how much better the player did than the average score for that week.

Ronant was the first ever weekly winner of the game. RobbieSykes123 won more weeks than any other player. The most dominant victory was Roscoe Barnes in week 5, who scored 73% higher than the average score.

Season 2
1st: rzt - 269 ... 2nd: ronant - 264 ... 3rd: Roscoe Barnes - 260

Personally, my favourite season. It didn't have the nail-biting finish of season 1, but it was still quite close all the way through between the top 3. This is the season when the game really got into its stride, with a big rise in players.

Here are the weekly winners of season 2:

Week	Name----------------------	Points	Dominancy (%)		
1	C14E------------------	25	60
2	C14E------------------	30	39
3	ronant----------------	24	31
4	yorkshirebread----------	23	44
5	NorfolkBird---------	27	28
6	remy---------------	16	51
7	yorkshirebread------	31	59
8	Roscoe Barnes------	25	74
9	PJMillar-------------	19	28
10	ZoeMcCallister-------	25	46
11	ZoeMcCallister-------	24	55
12	simmeh---------------	29	43
13	Thebenster-----------	31	39

C14E and ZoeMcCallisters had the most weekly victories (2). For the second season in a row, Roscoe Barnes had the most dominant victory - this time a record 74% above the average score. Season 2 was a low point for S1 winner - RobbieSykes123 - who failed to win a week or get into the top 5. Ironically rzt didn't win any weeks, yet won the overall season - consistency is important!

Season 3
1st: RobbieSykes123 - 343 ... =2nd: Deviled Egg & rzt - 337

An absolute cracker of a season! Literally heading into the final rating of the season, only 5 points separated the Top 7 players. It was excruciatingly close. And then the final special rating came in, and RobbieSykes123 was bang on, to claim his second season victory. A superb season from start to finish, with a record high player count.

Here are the weekly winners of season 3:

Week	Name----------------------	Points	Dominancy (%)		
1	Dancc----------------	28	51
2	Zoe McCallister------	38	41
3	Doctah Hoo?---------	40	33
4	C14E--------------------	33	45
5	RobbieSykes123-----------	45	57
6	Polonius-------------	29	50
7	Score---------------	26	54
8	Roscoe Barnes------	35	37
9	remy------------------	34	53
10	Pizzatheaction----------	30	32
11	rzt--------------------	34	53
12	C14E--------------------	28	37
13	RobbieSykes123-----------	26	36

Pretty amazing that there was a new weekly winner for 11 consecutive weeks! Just shows you how fiercely contested season 3 was. Both C14E and RobbieSykes123 ended up with the most weekly victories of S3 (2). Special shout-out to C14E who actually topped the ‘Averages Leaderboard’ due to being fantastically consistent in the weeks that he participated in. After a pretty mediocre second season for RobbieSykes123, he was back in form! And the game moved from strength to strength, as we headed into the final season of 2008.

Season 4
Season 4 is still on-going. Full details will be edited onto here once the season ends.

[rzt]

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five:
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2:
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1:
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1:
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1:
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five:
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1:
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1:
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1:
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1:

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1:
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4:
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1:
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1:
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five:

Predictions Submission Deadline: Tuesday 6th January 09.00am.
Please submit your predictions by either posting them on this thread or by PMing me.
If you are a new player and are a bit confused, just reply and I'll explain it more thoroughly.

I tried to make this schedule easier than the last 2 weeks, that's why I haven't put as many new shows as I could have as the main programmes. But I just noticed, there are still a lot of new programmes in the schedule! Ah well - Best of luck!

[daznov11]

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 0.9
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 2.3
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 4.1
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 1.3
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 3.3
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 1.9
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 2.1
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 5.0 is that a repeat
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1:7.1
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 3.1

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 2.1
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 5.2
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1:2.1
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 1.5
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 3.3

Thanks to Rzt for the game as always, also Happy New Year to everyone I don't ussally do this so early but maybe being first to predit but maybe that'll help me win Season 5

[rzt]

Originally Posted by daznov11

8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 5.0 is that a repeat

No, it's a brand new episode .

[Jonwo]

Good choices for Week 1 but as you have already said, there are a lot of new shows left out but on the plus side, that means more choice for Week 2 and beyond.

I think I'm doing Week 3 or 4 and I have a rough idea of what I have in mind but I'm waiting for the BBC schedules to be confirmed first.

[rzt]

Originally Posted by Jonwo

I think I'm doing Week 3 or 4 and I have a rough idea of what I have in mind but I'm waiting for the BBC schedules to be confirmed first.

I've just checked. You're doing the Week 3 schedule, which is: Jan 19th - Jan 25th.

Yep, leaving out a few new shows will allow some people to have them in their schedules after me .

[Thebenster]

Interesting first week schedule, looks like one of the easier weeks....

[Thebenster]

Originally Posted by rzt

- once you post your predictions on the thread, you may not change them later by reposting them or asking for a particular change. This is even if you make a typing error, which is you own fault.

I'm sure this was pointed out last season!

[rzt]

Originally Posted by Thebenster

I'm sure this was pointed out last season!

Lol, how ironic. I've fixed that mistake now .

[D.M.N.]

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 2.7m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 5.7m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 2.9m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 6.1m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 700,000
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 4.9m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 6.3m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 8.9m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 6.5m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 3.8m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 5.1m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 4.9m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 5.3m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 2.1m

FYI: rzt, barring any late schedule changes, Week 2 schedule is nearly complete.

[DS Rob E]

Nice round up to start off the thread, rzt, and welcome to all the newbies who have already joined and who may join this week. Best of luck to you all.

Here we go again, my week 1 predictions:

1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.4
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 3.1
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 4.8
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 3.0
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 5.1
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 1.8
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 4.8
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 5.9
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 8.9
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 6.5

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 4.2
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 3.1
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 3.4
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 4.2
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 1.5

Thanks, as ever, to rzt. It's nice to have a relatively easy schedule after the last two/three weeks. Though DoI is a toughie, and will probably determine the winner.

[FunkmasterT]

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.7m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 2.4m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 5.5m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 3.5m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 5.4m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 0.8m
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 3.4m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 6.7m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 10.1m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 4.7m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 3.5m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 4.2m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 3.6m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 4.7m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 1.5m

Cheers rzt. Have a good new year everyone.

[Only_You]

Originally Posted by rzt

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five:
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2:
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1:
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1:
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1:
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five:
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1:
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1:
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1:
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1:

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1:
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4:
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1:
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1:
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five:

It looks so tiny compared to the other two massive weeks! Feels strange!

[Jonwo]

Originally Posted by rzt

I've just checked. You're doing the Week 3 schedule, which is: Jan 19th - Jan 25th.

Yep, leaving out a few new shows will allow some people to have them in their schedules after me .

Cool, though i was hoping it was Week 4 as I wanted to have Minder as a special as it would be an interesting one to predict.

Does anyone know if Being Human is scheduled for January as that one would also be good to predict as well.

[rzt]

Originally Posted by Jonwo

Cool, though i was hoping it was Week 4 as I wanted to have Minder as a special as it would be an interesting one to predict.

Do you particularly want to do Week 4? If so, I could do Week 3, allowing you to do week 4.

Otherwise you can continue doing Week 3, and you could just tell Score (who's currently down to do W4) that you would like Minder as a special.

[gottago]

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.1m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 4.4m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 5.9m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 3.3m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 5.6m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 2.2m
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 4.8m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 5.8m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 9.1m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 7.0m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 4.2m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 4.0m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 4.3m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 4.7m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 2.1m

[Thebenster]

Incidentally, what is the waiting list with dates next to it?

[rzt]

Originally Posted by Thebenster

Incidentally, what is the waiting list with dates next to it?

Here's the waiting list:
1- D.M.N.
2- Jonwo
3- Score
4- smile371
5- Thebenster
6- RobbieSykes123
7- Deviled Egg
8- Pizzatheaction
9- Only_You

I don't have the dates next to them, because I might have a week in between there sometime. But it should give a rough indication of when you'll be making the schedule - youll be around February some time.

[Jonwo]

Originally Posted by rzt

Do you particularly want to do Week 4? If so, I could do Week 3, allowing you to do week 4.

Otherwise you can continue doing Week 3, and you could just tell Score (who's currently down to do W4) that you would like Minder as a special.

I would rather stay doing Week 3, I'm sure Minder will be a special anyway but I'll remind Score nearer the time as the dates aren't confirmed yet.

[jojo2008]

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.7m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2:2.5m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1:5.4m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1:3.6m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1:5.9m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five:2.1m
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1:5.4m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1:5.7m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1:9.1m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1:6.7m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1:4.9m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4:3.8m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1:4.7m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1:5.4m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five:1.3m

[daznov11]

Originally Posted by rzt

No, it's a brand new episode .

I never knew that, I thought they'd cancelled the show I'm happy it's back but I like the show I still think my predections about right

[Pizzatheaction]

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.0m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 3.4m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 6.0m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 2.6m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 4.0m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 1.2m
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 4.9m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 5.1m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 8.0m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 7.3m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 4.6m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 4.2m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 5.1m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 4.6m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 1.1m

[Fudd]

Originally Posted by Only_You

It looks so tiny compared to the other two massive weeks! Feels strange!

I knew there was a reason it looked so strange.

Originally Posted by rzt

Here's the waiting list:
1- D.M.N.
2- Jonwo
3- Score
4- smile371
5- Thebenster
6- RobbieSykes123
7- Deviled Egg
8- Pizzatheaction
9- Only_You

I don't have the dates next to them, because I might have a week in between there sometime. But it should give a rough indication of when you'll be making the schedule - youll be around February some time.

Can I add my name to the list please rzt - though I know I did it last season.

[Doctah Hoo?]

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

Mon 5th January 09 - Sun 11th January 09
1. Fifth Gear- Mon 20.00 Five: 1.4m
2. MasterChef- Mon 20.30 BBC2: 2.6m
3. Holby City- Tue 20.00 BBC1: 5.6m
4. Claire Sweeney's Big Fat Diet- Tue 21.00 ITV1: 2.7m
5. Waterloo Road- Wed 20.00 BBC1: 6.0m
6. Ice Road Truckers- Wed 20.00 Five: 1.2m
7. *SPECIAL*: Life of Riley- Thu 20.00 BBC1: 5.4m
8. Hustle- Thu 21.00 BBC1: 6.4m
9. *SPECIAL*: Dancing on Ice- Sun 19.00 ITV1: 8.6m
10. Wild at Heart- Sun 20.30 ITV1: 6.0m

Backups:
1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Mon 19.00 BBC1: 3.1m
2. Celebrity Big Brother- Tue 21.00 C4: 3.4m
3. The Green Green Grass- Thu 20.30 BBC1: 4.5m
4. Trial and Retribution- Fri 21.00 ITV1: 4.7m
5. CSI: NY- Sat 21.35 Five: 1.7m