Despite the smaller audiences drawn to E! and Showcase, Canwest says it is content with the calibre of the 23rd annual Gemini Awards, though it will look to build viewership for next year’s show.

Hosted by Jason Priestley, the one-hour live-to-tape portion of the Geminis drew 100,000 viewers to cable channel Showcase and the E! network combined at 9 pm, while 650,000 Canadians tuned in at some point during the broadcast. (All numbers 2+.)

As expected, the numbers are lower than those garnered by over-the-air networks in years past, as Canwest experimented using multiple outlets to air the event.

‘Historically the Gemini Awards ratings have been stronger. This year’s rating is an anomaly which we will be investigating with a view to increasing audience engagement with the Geminis in future,’ says Canwest SVP of drama and factual content Christine Shipton. CBC scored the highest audience in six years when nearly 450,000 viewers tuned in for the Regina gala last year.

Canwest’s took over broadcasting duties from CBC – with a two-year commitment that will see the company return as Gemini Awards’ broadcast partner in 2009.