Damon Mcknight
Australia's most popular TV channel is a hotly contested title, with several channels vying for the top spot. The two national broadcasters, ABC TV and SBS, have fewer viewers than the three commercial networks, due to their public service obligations. In 2020, Channel 7 was named the highest-rated TV network in Australia, dethroning Channel 9, which had been the leader for many years. However, in 2019, the Nine Network regained the top spot, only to be overtaken by Seven again in 2023. With a 42.2% commercial share nationally, Seven has been the most-watched network across the country, with popular shows like Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia, and My Kitchen Rules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular TV channel | Seven Network (Channel 7) |
| Runner-up | Nine Network (Channel 9) |
| Third place | Network Ten (Channel 10) |
| Most popular subscription channel | FOX8 |
| Most popular secondary channel | 7Mate |
| Most popular news bulletin | 7NEWS |
| Most popular breakfast TV program | Sunrise |
| Most popular lifestyle show | Better Homes and Gardens |
| Most popular game show | The Chase Australia |
| Most popular drama series | Home and Away and RFDS |
| Most viewed program in 2023 | FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ Semi Final between the Matildas and England |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's most-watched TV network
Australia's television landscape is dominated by a mix of public and commercial networks, with the latter typically attracting more viewers. As of 2023, Seven Network, also known as Channel 7, is Australia's most-watched TV network, boasting a 42.2% commercial share nationally. This is a significant increase from its 2016 share of 40%. The network's success is not just limited to metropolitan areas, as it also leads in regional Australia with a 45.2% share.
Channel 7's dominance is evident across various demographics, topping the viewership in the 25 to 54 and 16 to 39 age groups, as well as among total shoppers. The network's programming lineup includes a mix of sports, reality TV, and news. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Semi-Final between the Matildas and England, which aired on Channel 7, became the most-watched TV program in over two decades, attracting 7.32 million viewers.
Channel 7's breakfast program, Sunrise, has consistently been the number one breakfast TV program for 20 years, surpassing its rival Channel 9's Today show in 2018. Additionally, 7NEWS has been the top-rated news bulletin in 2023, achieving its biggest lead nationally since 2019.
Channel 7 also owns 7Mate, the most popular secondary channel in Australia. It has broadcasting rights to some of the highest-rated shows, including My Kitchen Rules and The Good Doctor. The network's other popular programs include Dancing With The Stars, Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia, and Better Homes and Gardens.
While Channel 7 currently leads, Australia's television market is highly dynamic, with networks constantly vying for the top spot. Historically, Channel 9, also known as the Nine Network, has been a strong competitor, known for its news and current affairs programming. It is home to iconic shows such as 60 Minutes and A Current Affair. The rivalry between Channels 7 and 9 has seen them trade places in viewership rankings over the years.
Other notable channels in Australia include the publicly funded ABC TV, which operates four non-commercial channels, and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), which caters to diverse ethnic groups and is known for rebroadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest.
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Sports broadcasting
Channel 7
Channel 7 is a major sports broadcaster in Australia, focusing on AFL and cricket. Notably, Channel 7 was the primary broadcaster of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, attracting over 6.5 million viewers. It also secured the broadcasting rights for the Olympic Games until 2020. For 45 years, Channel 7 exclusively broadcast AFL games until a deal was negotiated with other networks in 2001.
Channel 9
Channel 9, the grandchild of TCN-9, is another prominent player in sports broadcasting. It is the go-to channel for NRL live streaming and is home to popular investigative news programs like 60 Minutes and A Current Affair.
Channel 10
Channel 10 holds the rights to broadcast Wallabies games, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and motorsports events such as Formula One and MotoGP.
Streaming Services
With the rise of streaming platforms, Australians now have various options for watching sports beyond traditional TV channels. Kayo, a streaming service from pay TV giant Foxtel, offers sports content at a lower price point than traditional Foxtel subscriptions. Kayo also includes special features like Split Screen and Key Moments. Foxtel Now is another option, providing access to Kayo's sports content with the addition of premium TV shows for a higher price. Stan Sport, an add-on to the regular Stan streaming service, offers exclusive and ad-free sports content, including World Rugby Sevens, Grand Slam Tennis, and UEFA Champions League. Optus Sport is recommended for football enthusiasts. Paramount Plus includes sports content in its subscription without any extra charges. Free-to-air TV stations in Australia also offer catch-up TV services, allowing viewers to live stream sports or catch up on-demand.
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Commercial TV
Commercial television in Australia reaches 85.1% of the population aged over 13 years old. The three commercial networks are typically more popular than the two national broadcasters, ABC TV and SBS.
The rivalry between Channel 7 and Channel 9 has been ongoing for decades, with both networks taking turns to be the highest-rated channel. Channel 9 has historically boasted the highest ratings of the big three free-to-air broadcasters (Channels 9, 10 and 7). It dominates news and current affairs, with the nation's most popular breakfast TV show, 'Today'. Channel 9 is also the home of NRL live streaming and iconic investigative news programs, '60 Minutes' and 'A Current Affair'.
However, in 2023, Channel 7 was Australia's most-watched network, with a 42.2% commercial share nationally. It was the number one channel nationally in 27 weeks of 2023 and had the highest-rated program of the year, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ Semi-Final between the Matildas and England, which attracted 7.32 million viewers. Channel 7 also had the fastest-growing 7.30 pm shows, including 'Dancing With The Stars', 'Farmer Wants A Wife', 'SAS Australia' and 'My Kitchen Rules'. The network also launched the number one new entertainment series of the year, 'The 1% Club'.
Channel 10 maintains the rights to broadcast several sports, including the Wallabies games, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Formula One and MotoGP. Its popular shows include 'Masterchef' and 'Bondi Rescue'.
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Publicly funded TV
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC for short) is the primary publicly funded media organisation in Australia. ABC Television is the official name for its broadcasting arm. ABC maintains four non-commercial TV channels with the purpose of providing content of sincere value to the community as well as important news updates and emergency information. ABC TV (formerly ABC1 from 2008 to 2014) is the corporation's original television service and receives the bulk of the funding for television. ABC Family (formerly ABC2 and ABC Comedy and ABC TV Plus), launched in 2005, shows comedic content in addition to some repeats from ABC TV. ABC Australia is the international TV service of the ABC. ABC Asia Pacific is the replacement for the defunct Australia Television International, which was previously operated by the Seven Network. ABC also operates ABC Radio Australia, the international radio station of the ABC.
The ABC Radio app was launched in 2012 and was replaced by the ABC Listen app in September 2017, which included 45 ABC radio stations and audio networks. ABC Radio operates four national networks, a large number of ABC Local Radio stations, several digital stations, and the international service Radio Australia. ABC also provides online services that cover a large network of websites, including those for ABC News, its various television channels, ABC radio, podcasts, SMS, mobile apps, and other mobile phone services. ABC Online was officially launched on 14 August 1995, charged with developing policy for the ABC's work in web publishing. ABC's website was launched in August 1995.
The ABC Multimedia Unit was established in July 1995 to manage the new ABC website. In 2001, ABC's multimedia division was renamed "ABC New Media", becoming an output division of the ABC alongside television and radio. ABC's news division produces news and current affairs content across all platforms. ABC's most popular shows include Q&A, Media Watch, Four Corners, and Leigh Sales' 7.30 show.
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is another publicly funded TV channel in Australia. SBS operates TV and radio broadcasting around Australia and is hybrid-funded, with 80% of its capital coming from the government. SBS was formally created in 1978 with much of the early content being imported from other countries and given English subtitles. SBS is most famously the channel many Australians switch to when the annual Eurovision Song Contest is broadcast.
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Australian TV ratings
Television ratings in Australia are used to determine the size and composition of audiences across broadcast and subscription television. This data is primarily used to inform advertisers about the programming popular with their target audience. Ratings are monitored throughout the year, but viewership figures are only officially counted for 40 weeks of the year, excluding a two-week break during Easter and ten weeks over summer.
There are two national broadcasters in Australia: ABC TV and SBS. These networks typically attract fewer viewers than the three commercial networks: Seven Network, Nine Network, and Network Ten. The Seven Network has been the highest-rated TV network in Australia since 2007. In 2023, it had a 42.2% commercial share nationally and was the #1 channel in the country for 27 weeks. The Nine Network, which dominated the ratings from 1994 to 2004, was the highest-rated channel in 2019.
Channel 9 has historically boasted the highest ratings among the big three free-to-air broadcasters (Channel 9, Channel 10, and Channel 7). It is known for its news and current affairs programming, including the nation's most popular breakfast TV show, 'Today'. Channel 7 slowly chipped away at Channel 9's dominance, and in 2018, its Sunrise breakfast program surpassed Today in viewership. Channel 7 also has the most popular secondary channel in Australia, 7Mate, and the broadcasting rights to several popular shows and sports events.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the country's primary publicly funded media organisation. ABC Television, its broadcasting arm, maintains four non-commercial TV channels that provide content of community value and important news updates. Popular shows on ABC include Q&A, Media Watch, Four Corners, and Leigh Sales' 7.30 show.
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a hybrid-funded broadcaster that provides content for various ethnic groups in Australia. It is known for rebroadcasting shows like South Park and the Eurovision Song Contest.
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Frequently asked questions
The Seven Network (Channel 7) is the highest-rated TV network in Australia as of 2023. It has a 42.2% commercial share nationally and has been the most-watched channel for 27 weeks of 2023.
Some of the most popular shows on Channel 7 include Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia, My Kitchen Rules, and The Good Doctor. Channel 7 is also a major sports broadcaster, covering events like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the AFL Grand Final.
Yes, Channel 9 and Channel 10 are also considered to be among the most popular channels in Australia. Channel 9 has historically boasted high ratings and is known for its news and current affairs programming, including the breakfast show Today. Channel 10 holds the rights to broadcast sporting events like the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Formula One.
