TV Host Avri Gilad Admits Low Ratings Can Be Personally Hurtful

During a broadcast of "Avri and Shariki" on Israel's Channel 12, host Avri Gilad made a personal revelation about his reaction to viewership numbers. While interviewing Benny Gantz, Gilad asked the politician if a 0.7% showing in polls was insulting to him. Before Gantz could fully respond, Gilad offered a glimpse into his own experience with public figures, stating, "In the morning, the SMS with the ratings arrives. There are numbers that offend me."

Gilad's comment shifted the political discussion to a more personal angle, drawing a parallel between Gantz's poll numbers and his own show's ratings. The host admitted that he, too, finds it difficult to view low viewership figures as mere dry statistics. While he didn't equate the significance of political polls with television ratings, Gilad emphasized that repeatedly encountering low numbers can feel deeply personal.

The ratings for "Avri and Shariki" fluctuate. According to ICE, on September 6th, the program achieved a 6.1% rating with 158,000 viewers. Another report from mid-month indicated a higher figure of 9.7% with 277,000 viewers. These figures represent different broadcast nights and not specifically the rating for the interview with Gantz.