The three commercial free-to-air networks of Seven, Nine and 10 have released their end-of-survey ratings numbers as they jostle for the viewership.
SMI figures for September showed TV ad spend down 8.7%.
Seven
Seven, whose broadcast and digital network reaches 17 million people every month, scored its highest audience share in a non-Olympics year and was on top nationally in 28 of the 40 survey weeks across the 2024 ratings survey year, which ran from February 11 to 30 November (excluding the Easter period and the Paris Olympics).
Seven’s average total TV audience at night (6pm to midnight) was 961,000 viewers, while 7plus’ audience jumped 29%.
7plus’ VOD share was 43% and its BVOD share across the survey year was 39.6%, up from 38% in the same period in 2023.
Seven’s AFL Grand Final notched a total TV audience of 4.06 million and a national reach of 6.24 million.
Seven claimed that it was the home of the most-watched evening news (7NEWS), breakfast program (Sunrise), morning show (The Morning Show), local drama (Home and Away) and lifestyle show (Better Homes and Gardens).
The network said six of the top 10 entertainment series at 7.30pm were on Seven in 2024, while five of Seven’s key entertainment shows increased their audiences this year: My Kitchen Rules, Australian Idol, Farmer Wants A Wife, The Front Bar and the TV WEEK Logie Awards.
Seven also claimed to have had the most-watched multichannel in 7mate and the leading multichannel group (7mate, 7two, 7flix and 7Bravo).
Seven West MD and CEO Jeff Howard said for the fourth year in a row, Seven was the most-watched broadcast and digital network in Australia.
“That success reflects our passionate focus on creating great content that connects with Australians and delivers results for our commercial partners,” he said.
“Millions of Australians connect with one of our broadcast, digital or publishing platforms every day, every week, every month. To make that happen, every year we create, collate and curate thousands of hours of local content.
“This year, the number of people we connected with grew on both broadcast and digital thanks to content such as the AFL Grand Final, Farmer Wants A Wife, My Kitchen Rules and more, and our content line up for 2025 will ensure that growth continues.
“During 2024, Seven led the industry with AI company Databricks to accurately predict audiences. We have stepped up the personalisation, targeting and UX on 7plus. And we opened Phoenix, the world’s most advanced total TV trading system, for bookings ahead of its go-live date of 2 March next year.
“Through expanded content, enhanced data capabilities, and a focus on responsible AI integration, we are building deep and meaningful connections with Australians that drive growth for both Seven West Media and our valued clients.
Seven Group MD of television, Angus Ross, said achieving audience growth across many of the network’s key entertainment and sport programs was a great result and testament to the connection Seven has built with viewers.
“We consistently deliver audiences year-round,” he said.
“The biggest shows and most reliable formats in the world are on Seven and 7plus including Home and Away, Australian Idol, Farmer Wants A Wife, Dancing With The Stars, The Voice, My Kitchen Rules and The 1% Club. Next year, we will launch two brand-new local tentpole formats – Stranded On Honeymoon Island and Once In A Lifetime – plus a lot more great content across Seven and 7plus.”
“The line up on 7plus will include highly anticipated new series in our 7plus First strategy including Suits: LA, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, The Americas, St. Denis Medical and Doc.”
Seven national TV sales director, Katie Finney, said in 2024, the company’s leadership position provided an ideal platform for brands to connect with audiences at scale on the largest screen in the house.
“As Australia’s most-watched TV network, we delivered more potential customers for brands to engage with delivering business results for our partners,” she said.
“In 2025, this momentum will only grow, bolstered by our strong content line up, including the streaming of cricket and AFL for the first time, and our advancements in data and technology. There has never been a better time for brands to connect with Australians on Seven.”
Nine
Nine, Seven’s constant rival for the ratings crown, claimed that it was once again the top-rated network with the demographic sets of People 25-54, 16-39 and Grocery Shopper + Child in the five major capital cities.
The 9Network also claimed to be number one with Total People across the 5 City Metro for calendar year 2024.
Nine’s director of TV, Michael Healy, said the network’s dedication to delivering the best news, sport and entertainment is unmatched.
“The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics were a key highlight in showcasing the 9Network’s ability to bring Australians together for some of the most culturally significant moments of the year, achieving a National Total TV Reach of more than 20 million Australians,” he said.
“With exceptional, multi-platform coverage, our broadcast set a new benchmark for immersive sports storytelling, creating unforgettable experiences for viewers across the country.”
Other sports highlights included the State of Origin Series, the NRL Grand Final and the Australian Open.
Nine said 9News became the most watched 6pm bulletin in 2024 across the Metro markets for the first time since 2015.
Nine also claimed victory in the BVOD stakes, saying that 9Now is Australia’s number one platform across all key demographics and Total People, with “phenomenal year-on-year growth”.
Nine’s chief sales officer Michael Stephenson said the future of television is Total TV, combining broadcast, live streaming, and on-demand.
“At Nine, we meticulously license, produce and schedule content to optimise viewership across these platforms, ensuring audiences have seamless access to our content in real time or on their schedule,” he said.
“The impressive growth of 9Now is essential to our advertising partners and demonstrates the evolving habits of viewers who are shifting towards more flexible, on-demand viewing options.”
Paramount
Paramount, which reaches 16.3 million Australians every month across Network 10 and Paramount+, has an average viewer age up to six years younger than its competitors, as 39% of its audience are 25 to 54.
The network claimed 10 of the top 15 entertainment shows in 16 to 39s and nine of the top 15 entertainment shows in 25 to 54s, with Have You Been Paying Attention?, Thank God You’re Here, Australian Survivor, Taskmaster, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, MasterChef Australia, Gogglebox Australia,Hunted, The Amazing Race Australia and The Cheap Seats.
In the comedy space, 10 claimed five of the six most popular shows in the 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s demographics: Have You Been Paying Attention?, Thank God You’re Here, Taskmaster, Gogglebox Australia and The Cheap Seats.
The Matildas captured the biggest total audience for a football match ever on Paramount, with primetime match audiences are up 130% year-on-year to record highs. The Socceroos saw their own match viewers up 39% year-on-year with the biggest total audience ever on Paramount and together, the two team’s matches reached 8.5 million Australians in 2024, another Paramount record.
The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2024 reached 3.2 million Australians on 10 and 10 Play, up 30% year-on-year on 10 Play, and the race total audience was up 7% year-on-year.
The A-League has reached 1.5 million Australians on Network 10 and Paramount+ so far this season and the match audience is up 22%.
10 Play itself is up 32% on 2023 as memberships have increased by over 1 million to 8.3 million. 10 Play reaches over 2.5 million Australians every single month, and its monthly reach has grown 17% on 2023.
10 Play is also representing an increasingly larger portion of audience viewing in 2024, comprising up to 22% of the total audience of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and 21% of Australian Survivor.
Live TV with Pluto TV FAST channels has seen viewing increase 58% year-on-year.
Paramount Australia’s SVP of content and programming, Daniel Monaghan, said the company’s diverse and premium content slate across Paramount continues to entertain Aussies with the best comedies, reality TV, drama sport and more.
“Our mountain of entertainment connects with younger audiences across streaming, BVOD and linear TV with shows that make you laugh, cry, cringe and escape the everyday,” he said.
“And our results prove it once again with more top entertainment shows than our competitors and more of Australia’s favourite comedies.
“We’re also immensely proud of the performance of Paramount+ as Australia’s fastest growing streaming service for a third year in a row and it’s the success of local series like breakout hit Fake, as well as Last King Of The Cross, The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers and noisy smash hit Aussie Shore that shows we continue to commission and produce fresh and engaging local content across all genres and platforms.
“We know that we’ll continue to build on this success in 2025 bringing back our fan-favourites and popular formats and welcoming some incredibly exciting new shows. There’s Big Brother returning to its original home on 10 as well as Sam Pang’s new weekly show, also drama Playing Gracie Darling on Paramount+ as well as NCIS: Sydney season two, plus comedy series Ghosts, The List, and more.
“But to start the year we’ll be taking families into the jungle with I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returning to its summer viewing sweet spot with Robert Irwin and Julia Morris putting our campmates through grisly tasks and trials, all for our entertainment.”
Paramount Australia’s chief sales officer, Rod Prosser, said the company’s One Paramount Strategy is delivering results with consistent high-quality shows in every genre, entertaining audiences across all platforms.
“We’ve seen strong audience results in entertainment, sport and comedy this year and are incredibly excited for what’s in store for 2025,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to be launching Paramount Connect, a single-entry point to a unified digital ecosystem for advertisers to engage our audiences wherever and whenever they are viewing our premium content.
“We’re breaking down the silos of linear and digital providing a single customer view, offering advertisers unique opportunities across Paramount that delivers results for brands.
“Combined with innovative digital ad products and insights, as well as market-leading campaigns, products, experiences and brand integrations with Paramount Brand Studio, we’re providing unparalleled Total TV advertising opportunities to the market.
“And our content line up is set to go off with Pang in 2025 with comedies and entertainment galore, both new and returning shows with two seasons of Australian Survivor, MasterChef Australia, Airport 24/7, House Hunters Australia, Football, Formula One and more. But it all starts in the jungle with the triumphant return of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to summer family viewing.
“My team are experts in helping brands, agencies and partners to connect with more than 16 million viewers watching Paramount Australia’s compelling content every month across all platforms, and we can’t wait to get down to business.”
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