#1 program of 2020: AFL Grand Final
#1 winter sport: AFL, up 12% on 2019
#1 news program of 2020: 7NEWS
#1 breakfast TV program of 2020: Sunrise
#1 Australian drama of 2020: Home and Away
#1 commercial free to air BVOD platform: 7plus
#1 news website for 18 to 39s: 7NEWS.com.au
#1 network June to November
#1 multichannel group: 7two, 7mate, 7flix
And three new tentpole hits: Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia
The most-watched TV program of the year, the #1 news and current affairs programs, the launch of three hit new tentpole shows – including the biggest new show of 2020 –and strong audience share growth in the second half of the year were among the highlights for the Seven Network across the 2020 ratings season.
Seven’s success on broadcast TV was matched by the remarkable growth of 7plus, which saw growth of 80% and ended the year as the #1 commercial free to air TV BVOD platform ahead of all its commercial rivals.
Thanks to an unbeatable regular content line-up that includes Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Chase, 7NEWS, Home and Away and Better Homes and Gardens; prime time hits including Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia (the #1 new show of the year) and The All New Monty Guys and Gals; and the high-rating AFL season, Seven Network and Channel 7 were #1 from 6am to midnight.
In prime time, Seven Network increased its audience share during the June to November period, adding 3.8 share points in 25 to 54s, 6.5 points in 16 to 39s and 3.5 points in total people. From June to November, Seven Network was #1 in total people and 16 to 39s.
7two, 7mate and 7flix added to the success, ranking as the #1 multichannel group across 2020.
Our new content-led strategy of outsourcing proven international formats, coupled with our market-leading news and sport content, has produced strong results this year.
James Warburton, Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
The great performance of Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife, SAS Australia, 7NEWS, the AFL and more drove strong growth in our audiences in the key demographics of 25-54s and 16-39s during the second half of 2020.
We’ve shown only glimpse of our best this year and that got us to about half a percentage point from being the most watched network in the country.
Next year we will have all our returning hits, big new shows, the content that was delayed this year because of COVID, our first-class Olympics coverage, our winning news and sport schedules, and a few surprises we haven’t revealed yet. Bring on 2021.
SEVEN’S SECOND HALF GROWTH
Commercial audience shares (%)
| Network | February to May | June to November | Percentage point change | |
| Total People | Seven | 35.2 | 38.8 | +3.5 |
| Nine | 39.1 | 37.3 | -1.8 | |
| 10 | 25.7 | 23.9 | -1.8 | |
| 25 to 54s | Seven | 31.1 | 34.9 | +3.8 |
| Nine | 39.2 | 36.6 | -2.6 | |
| 10 | 29.7 | 28.5 | -1.2 | |
| 16 to 39s | Seven | 30.2 | 36.6 | +6.5 |
| Nine | 37.9 | 33.4 | -4.5 | |
| 10 | 31.9 | 29.9 | -2.0 |
NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
7NEWS:
• 1.64 million viewers nationally, 1.06 million in the capital cities
• #1 news program
• Won every week of the survey year
• Up 8% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, up 10% in total people
7NEWS.com.au:
• #1 news website for 18 to 39s
• Up 40% in 2019 in average monthly reach
Sunrise:
• 480,000 viewers nationally, 279,000 in the capital cities
• #1 breakfast TV program
• Won every day of the survey year, for the second year in a row
The Latest:
• 366,000 viewers nationally, 240,000 in the capital cities
• Up 59% on 2019 in 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s, up 63% in total people
The Morning Show:
• 252,000 viewers nationally, 151,000 in the capital cities
• #1 morning TV program
• Won its timeslot for survey year
• Up 5% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, up 8% in 16 to 39s, up 13% in total people
7NEWS SPECIALS
7NEWS Presents – Murder In The Outback: The Falconio & Lees Mystery:
• 1.72 million viewers nationally, 1.1 million in the capital cities
• #1 in timeslot in total people
• Lifted timeslot audience 22% in 25 to 54s, 12% in 16 to 39s, 43% in total people
7NEWS: Coronavirus Special:
• 1.42 million viewers nationally, 955,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 9% in 25 to 54s, 6% in 16 to 39s, 14% in total people
7NEWS: Ben Cousins – Coming Clean:
• 1.16 million viewers nationally, 811,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 8% in 25 to 54s
7NEWS Presents – Cruising, The Biggest Storm:
• 1.07 million viewers nationally, 703,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 29% in 25 to 54s, 70% in 16 to 39s, 20% in total people
7NEWS Spotlight – The Lindy Tapes:
• 1.02 million viewers nationally, 637,000 in the capital cities
• #1 in timeslot in total people
• Lifted timeslot audience 18% in 25 to 54s, 19% in 16 to 39s, 9% in total people
SPORT
AFL Grand Final:
• 3.86 million viewers nationally, 3.01 million in the capital cities
• #1 program of 2020
• Up 41% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, 48% in 16 to 39s, 36% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
• 17.6 million streaming minutes streamed, up 257% on 2019
AFL Grand Final Presentations:
• 2.88 million viewers nationally, 2.29 million in the capital cities
• Up 19% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, 24% in 16 to 39s, 15% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
AFL Grand Final On The Ground:
• 2.8 million viewers nationally, 2.19 million in the capital cities
• Up 39% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, 56% in 16 to 39s, 36% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
AFL Grand Final Pre Match Entertainment:
• 1.95 million viewers nationally, 1.49 million in the capital cities
• Up 91% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, 106% in 16 to 39s, 92% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
AFL Finals Series:
• 1.21 million viewers nationally, 932,000 in the capital cities
• Up 8% in 2019 in 25 to 54s, 21% in 16 to 39s, 11% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in footy markets in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
AFL Premiership Season:
• 723,000 viewers nationally, 548,000 in the capital cities
• #1 winter sport on TV
• Up 10% on 2019 in 25 to 54s, 22% in 16 to 39s, 7% in total people
• #1 in timeslot in footy markets in 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and total people
The Front Bar:
• 469,000 viewers nationally, 360,000 in the capital cities
Horse Racing:
100th Cox Plate Race:
• 600,000 viewers nationally, 436,000 in the capital cities
• Up 87% on 2019 in total people
Golden Eagle:
• 227,000 viewers nationally, 137,000 in the capital cities for the race.
ENTERTAINMENT
Farmer Wants A Wife:
• Finale: 1.59 million viewers nationally, 1.01 million in the capital cities
• Series: 1.42 million viewers nationally, 903,000 in the capital cities
• Series: Lifted timeslot audience 28% in 25 to 54s, 28% in 16 to 39s, 14% in total people
• Reached 941,000 people on digital
• 142 million minutes streamed
Fire Fight Australia (Concert/Final Performance):
• 1.56 million viewers nationally, 1.0 million in the capital cities
• #1 in timeslot in total people
• Lifted timeslot audience 79% in 25 to 54s, 71% in 16 to 39s, 81% in total people
Big Brother:
• Finale – Winner Announced: 1.29 million viewers nationally, 905,000 in the capital cities
• Finale: 1.17 million viewers nationally, 798,000 in the capital cities
• Series: 1.15 million viewers nationally, 816,000 in the capital cities
• Series: Lifted timeslot audience 69% in 25 to 54s, 90% in 16 to 39s, 26% in total people
• Reached 1.4 million people on digital
• Biggest launch of entertainment program on commercial free to air BVOD
• 290 million minutes streamed
• Over 101 million total social media impressions
• #BBAU or Housemates trended nationally on Twitter during every episode
• 8.3 million social engagements
• 25.4 million social video views
The All New Monty Guys and Gals:
• 1.21 million viewers nationally, 820,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 16% in 16 to 39s
• Reached 210,000 people on digital
• 13 million minutes streamed
SAS Australia:
• Biggest new show of 2020
• 1.12 million viewers nationally, 791,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 85% in 25 to 54s, 91% in 16 to 39s, 58% in total people
• Reached 925,000 people on digital
• Premiere episode recorded a BVOD audience of 414,000, a new record for 7plus
• 127 million minutes streamed
• 92 million social impressions
• 34 million social video views
Beat The Chasers:
• 1.03 million viewers nationally, 647,000 in the capital cities
• Lifted timeslot audience 37% in total people
• 5.5 million minutes streamed
Home and Away:
• 1.0 million viewers nationally, 617,000 in the capital cities
• #1 Australian drama on commercial free-to-air
• Reached 1.1 million people on digital
• Most streamed drama series on BVOD
• BVOD audience up 13% on 2019
• 1.9 million total social followers
• 229 million social impressions
• 20 million total social engagements
• 47.8 million social video views
The Chase:
• 965,000 viewers nationally, 593,000 in the capital cities
• Won every week of the survey year
• Up 4% on 2019 in total people
Better Homes and Gardens:
• 870,000 viewers nationally, 533,000 in the capital cities
• #1 lifestyle show
• #1 in timeslot for total people and grocery shoppers
• Reached 506,000 people on digital
• BVOD streaming minutes up 62% on 2019
7PLUS
• #1 commercial free to air BVOD platform
• 42.7% share of commercial free to air BVOD market
• Up 80% on 2019 in streaming minutes
7TWO, 7MATE, 7FLIX
• #1 multichannel combination
• 7two: #1 multichannel in target market of women 25 and older
• 7mate: #1 multichannel in target markets of 25 to 54s and men 18 to 54
TOP 30 OF 2020
| Rank | Program Name | Network | National | Metro | Regional |
| 1 | Seven’s AFL: Grand Final: Richmond v Geelong | Seven | 3,859,000 | 3,011,000 | 848,000 |
| 2 | NRL Grand Final Day – Match | Nine | 2,984,000 | 2,106,000 | 878,000 |
| 3 | Seven’s AFL: Grand Final: Presentations | Seven | 2,877,000 | 2,290,000 | 587,000 |
| 4 | Seven’s AFL: Grand Final: On the Ground | Seven | 2,802,000 | 2,191,000 | 611,000 |
| 5 | State of Origin Rugby League Qld v NSW 3rd – Match | Nine | 2,732,000 | 1,894,000 | 856,000 |
| 6 | State of Origin Rugby League NSW v Qld 2nd – Match | Nine | 2,446,000 | 1,654,000 | 792,000 |
| 7 | State of Origin Rugby League Qld v NSW 1st – Match | Nine | 2,404,000 | 1,606,000 | 798,000 |
| 8 | The Block – Winner Announced | Nine | 2,370,000 | 1,792,000 | 578,000 |
| 9 | Lego Masters – Winner Announced | Nine | 2,158,000 | 1,630,000 | 528,000 |
| 10 | MasterChef Australia – The Winner Announced | 10 | 2,062,000 | 1,576,000 | 486,000 |
| 11 | Seven’s AFL: Grand Final: Pre Match Entertainment | Seven | 1,953,000 | 1,487,000 | 466,000 |
| 12 | The Block – Grand Final | Nine | 1,918,000 | 1,431,000 | 487,000 |
| 13 | Married At First Sight – The Final Dinner Party | Nine | 1,901,000 | 1,432,000 | 469,000 |
| 14 | Lego Masters – Launch | Nine | 1,875,000 | 1,391,000 | 484,000 |
| 15 | Melbourne Cup Carnival: Melbourne Cup -Race | 10 | 1,869,000 | 1,412,000 | 457,000 |
| 16 | Lego Masters – Finale | Nine | 1,826,000 | 1,386,000 | 440,000 |
| 17 | The Masked Singer Australia – The Final Reveal | 10 | 1,730,000 | 1,237,000 | 493,000 |
| 18 | 7NEWS Presents – Murder In The Outback | Seven | 1,723,000 | 1,095,000 | 628,000 |
| 19 | Australian Ninja Warrior Winner Announced | Nine | 1,721,000 | 1,272,000 | 449,000 |
| 20 | MasterChef Australia – Grand Finale Part 2 | 10 | 1,690,000 | 1,300,000 | 390,000 |
| 21 | NRL Grand Final Day Entertainment | Nine | 1,628,000 | 1,146,000 | 482,000 |
| 22 | Fire Fight Australia Concert Late | Seven | 1,599,000 | 1,031,000 | 568,000 |
| 23 | Farmer Wants A Wife – Finale | Seven | 1,587,000 | 1,010,000 | 577,000 |
| 24 | Fire Fight Australia Concert | Seven | 1,558,000 | 991,000 | 567,000 |
| 25 | Australian Ninja Warrior Grand Final | Nine | 1,545,000 | 1,144,000 | 401,000 |
| 26 | The Voice – Launch | Nine | 1,536,000 | 1,082,000 | 454,000 |
| 27 | MasterChef Australia – Grand Finale Part 1 | 10 | 1,505,000 | 1,195,000 | 310,000 |
| 28 | Seven’s AFL: Saturday Night Football Finals (Preliminary Final 2: Brisbane v Geelong) | Seven | 1,493,000 | 1,154,000 | 339,000 |
| 29 | Farmer Wants A Wife – Launch | Seven | 1,492,000 | 985,000 | 507,000 |
| 30 | Fire Fight Australia Final Performance | Seven | 1,491,000 | 947,000 | 544,000 |
Source: OzTAM (Metro Broadcast, National BVOD), RegionalTAM (Comb. Agg Markets). Combined/National: Metro + Regional. 2020 Survey Year: Wks 7-48 (excludes Summer and Easter). Metro Network CShares, 1800-2400; 2nd half (Wks 2448), 1st half Wks 7-23 excl Easter). Program/timeslot growth year-on-year based on metro. Top event programs excludes regular series. AFL Grand Final match most watched program combined and metro. AFL growth based on Seven Network full seasons 2020 v 2019 average metro audience. #1 claims for News and Sunrise vs similar competitor programs airing in similar timezone. Home and Away #1 Aussie Drama for regular series (3 or more eps) nationally. The Chase Australia #1 game show for daily program. #1 multi-channel groups for prime time (1800-2400). Sunrise wins every day (0600-0900) vs Today, The Morning Show wins timeslot vs Today Extra, News Hour (M-F) and The Chase Australia wins every week vs Nine News Hour and Hot Seat. Program averages; News hour (M-F 1800-1900), The Chase Aust excludes 5pm, Sunrise (0700-0900), The Morning Show (excl Extra). Top 30 Events is for the 2020 Survey Year (excl Summer and Easter), FTA Programs, Total Individuals, Average Audience, Combined: Metro + Regional.
BVOD: OzTAM VPM 3.1, reach, total minutes (Live + VOD), YOY exclude co-viewing minutes. #1 commercial free to air BVOD share, 7plus growth 2020 v 2019 Wks 7-48 total (live + VOD) streaming minutes, excludes co-viewing for growth.
7NEWS.com.au: Nielsen DCR monthly tagged, digital C/M, avg monthly UA 2020 Jan-Oct, YOY based on Jun-Dec 2019 avg monthly UA (7NEWS launch date), Jan-Oct 2020 avg monthly UA.
