The first day of the third Ashes Test from Perth dominated, helped by the three-hour time difference, so an easy win to Nine for the night and until the test ends. The third session was the most watched program with 1.33 million national viewers (942,000 metro and 391,000 in the regions). Session 2 had 944,000 national viewers and session 1 had 763,000.

But that didn’t necessarily mean viewers weren’t bored with the main channel offerings — the combined share of the digital channels was a solid 31.4% last night. For many viewers the cricket wasn’t an option.

In regional markets the test cricket wasn’t as popular as in the metros where it topped the night. Seven News was top with 462,000 people, followed by Seven News/TT with 433,000, Home and Away was third with 403,000, then the 3rd session of the test with 391,000, and Nine/NBN News was 5th with 315,000.

And that’s it from me for 2017. Have a great Christmas and a safe and enjoyable 2018. Lots of pud, panettone, plonk and family and friends. And I hope you have been a little naughtier than nice. Don’t worry, because of global warming, coal is no longer the punishment present for the naughties among us. It’s hot air — you-know-who now hands out the whit and wisdom of Tony, Malcolm and Bill — Zingers ‘R’ Us!

Network channel share:
1. Nine (34.0%)
2. Seven (27.0%)
3. Ten (16.7%)
4. ABC (15.1%)
5. SBS (7.2%)

Network main channels:
1. Nine (25.4%)
2. Seven (18.3%)
3. Ten (9.7%)
4. ABC (9.1%)
5. SBS ONE (5.1%)

Top 5 digital channels:
1. ONE (4.4%)
2. Gem (3.7%)
3. ABC 2 (3.3%)
4. 7TWO (3.2%)
5. 7flix (3.1%)

Top 10 national programs:
1. Third Ashes Test, Day 1 Session 3 (Nine) — 1.33 million
2. Seven News/Today Tonight — 1.35 million
3. Seven News — 1.33 million
4. Nine/NBN News — 1.2 million
5. Home and Away (Seven) — 971,000
6. Third Ashes Test, Day 1 Session 2 (Nine) — 944,000
7. 7pm ABC News — 867,000
8. Forged In Fire (Nine) — 789,000
9. Third Ashes Test, Day 1 Session 1 (Nine) — 763,000
10. The Chase Australia 5.30pm (Seven) — 723,000

Losers: None — the Ashes Test dominated.

Metro news and current affairs:
1. Nine News — 964,000
2. Seven News/Today Tonight — 926,000
3. Seven News — 863,000
4. 7pm ABC News – 590,000
5. 7.30 -Summer (ABC) — 407,000
6. The Project 7pm (Ten) — 368,000
7. Ten Eyewitness News — 351,000
8. The Project 6.30pm (Ten) — 272,000
9. SBS World News — 114,000

Morning TV:
1. Sunrise (Seven) – 547,000
2. Today (Nine) – 370,000
3. News Breakfast (ABC, 163,000 + 77,000 on News 24) — 240,000
4. The Morning Show (Seven) — 216,000
5. Today Extra (Nine) — 176,000
6. Studio 10 (Ten) — 118,000

Top five pay TV programs:
1. Paul Murray Live (Sky News) – 61,000
2. Credlin (Sky News) — 47,000
3. Restoration Of The Year (LifeStyle) — 44,000
4. PML Overtime (Sky News) – 41,000
5. Doc McStuffins (Disney Jr) – 40,000

*Data © OzTAM Pty Limited 2013. The data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of OzTAM. (All shares on the basis of combined overnight 6pm to midnight all people.) and network reports.