Despite a whopping 1.8 million viewers lead-in from Packed To The Rafters, the network's new light "comedy" program Australia Versus made a disastrous debut on Tuesday night.

The program, a hosting vehicle for ex-Merrick and Rosso funnyman Tim Ross, also came off the back of a big on-air promotional push.

But it plunged to a dismal 632,000 viewers, leaving Seven bosses scratching their heads as to just where the viewers went.

Ten's NCIS Los Angeles appeared to benefit most from the flop, with about 1.05 million viewers - impressive for its 9.30pm time slot.

An entertainment clip show like Channel 9's successful 20-1, Australia Versus features an "international panel" of celebrities who vote on a series of contests between Australia and Britain. The Daily Telegraph