IF MEN and women could only unite, Australia might get some stimulating television in the second half of this year. But they can't, so we're stuck with the programming preferred by viewers aged over 55 - the time of life when, apparently, the sexes are most alike.

Last week this column reported that seniors are the biggest consumers of TV, while groovers watch the least (37 per cent of prime-time viewing is by people over 55, up from 32 per cent in 2003; 28 per cent is by people 16-39, down from 30 per cent in 2003). So the network that wins the year will be the one with the geriatric appeal.

Off the back of a truck has fallen new research about the age of viewers for the most popular shows. The median age of Australians is 37, which is to say that half the population is older than 37 and half is younger. But the median viewing age for most hits is above the national figure. Half the people who watch Today Tonight, for example, are over 54. This list suggests TV is, to put it politely, a mature medium.

The hits of 2008 - How old are the viewers: Doc Martin (ABC) median age 64; Midsomer Murders (ABC) 63; ABC News 61; Who Do You Think You Are? (SBS) 58; Seven News 55; Today Tonight (7) 54; Border Security (7) 51; 60 Minutes (9) 51; Australia's Got Talent (7) 50; Better Homes And Gardens (7) 49; Domestic Blitz (9) 48; Spicks And Specks (ABC) 45; The Gruen Transfer (ABC) 43; NCIS (10) 43; Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (9) 40; Top Gear (SBS) 39; The Biggest Loser (10) 35; Gladiators (7) 34; My Name Is Earl (7) 34; So You Think You Can Dance Australia (10) 34; Australia's Next Top Model (Fox 8) 34.

(Details at blogs.sunherald. com.au /whoweare)

There's not much point in the programmers scrambling to appeal to the half of Australia that is under 37. So let's look at the other niche that has normally excited the networks - viewers aged 25-54. Could a smart programmer gain by focusing on their sophisticated tastes? Only if men and women were prepared to watch the same set. Here's how the sexes have consumed TV this month:

Top shows with women 25-54: Grey's Anatomy; Desperate Housewives; Brothers And Sisters; Schapelle Corby (Part one); Better Homes And Gardens; 60 Minutes; State of Origin rugby league; Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares; Australia's Got Talent; NCIS.

Top shows with men aged 25-54: State of Origin; My Name Is Earl; The Gruen Transfer; 60 Minutes; Schapelle Corby (Part one); Spicks And Specks; CSI; Top Gear; How I Met Your Mother; Hell's Kitchen.

Apparently the passions that middle-aged men and women have in common are Schapelle Corby, Gordon Ramsay and football. Expect to see more of them in the coming weeks.