'Go Back' Provides Another Rating Boost For SBS

SBS's returning and controversial reality TV show Go Back To Where You Came From last night provided the specialist broadcaster with its highest ratings of the year so far, and blitzed the numbers of last year's series.

The show confronts the 'boat people' issue by reversing roles and taking Australians to parts of the world which generate a large number of refugees. The first series was a huge success for SBS, both in terms of ratings and generating discussion, and the show's concept even sold overseas – including BBC America.

The second season premiered last night attracted 752,000 viewers, which was up on last year's premiere's figures of 524,000. SBS's best numbers this year, the three-part show will continue through the week until Thursday. Figures peaked by the third episode last year with 600,000 viewers.

On social media, the hashtag #GoBackSBS dominated the night. You can see the trends here.

Season two features six 'prominent Australians' rather than 'ordinary Australians', including Rose Tattoo's frontman with political aspirations Angry Anderson, writer and comedian Catherine Deveny, radio shock jock Michael Smith, model Imogen Bailey, former Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher and former John Howard minister Peter Reith.

The show attracted more viewers than anything Channel Ten aired last night as the embattled station continues to struggle. One of Ten's hopes had been musical theatre reality talent quest I Will Survive, but last night that tanked with only 364,000. Overall the night was won by X Factor on Channel Seven.

You can watch the first episode of Go Back… here. Figures from the catch-up service have not been added to the ratings.