Screens fading to grey, except for summertime Bluey

As the end of 2021 approaches, TV viewing continues to fade to grey as far as viewers are concerned.

With no fires (fingers crossed), COVID now a constant, and ScoMo still in the country at the start of his long-distance run at retaining office, viewers have turned right off news and current affairs. Over the past two weeks, audiences for the 6 to 7pm news on Seven and Nine are down more than 200,000 — ABC audiences, though, are down only a few thousand. (The loss for Ten isn’t large either, but its base is pretty low.) Viewers for the ABC’s 7.30 are down 50,000 to 100,000, and even a bit more on some nights.

It’s a seasonal thing, of course, but last year figures were higher because of the continuing impact of COVID here and offshore and the lockdown in Sydney.

Last night saw Seven win because of the BBL tip-and-run and a good night for the 6 to 7pm news. But no one was really trying except Bluey: 710,000 in total; 426,000 for the new AM episode; 282,000 for the afternoon repeat. The kids of Australia are loyal and support quality.

Regional top five: Seven News, 479,000; Seven News 6.30, 469,000; Nine News 6.30, 317,000; ACA, 316,000; 7pm ABC news, 302,000.

Network channel share:

1. Seven (28.6%)
2. Nine (27.4%)
3. ABC (17.8%)
4. Ten (17.3%)
5. SBS (9.0%)

Network main channels:

1. Seven (18.9%)
2. Nine (18.7%)
3. ABC (12.3%)
4. Ten (9.0%)
5. SBS ONE (5.5%)

Top 5 digital channels: 

1. 7mate (4.2%)
2. 7TWO,10 Bold (4.1%)
3. 10 Peach (3.4%)
4. GO (2.8%)

Top 10 national programs:

1. Seven News — 1.331 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 1.305 million
3. Nine News 6.30 — 1.112 million
4. Nine News  — 1.048 million
5. A Current Affair (Nine) — 971,000
6. 7pm ABC News — 909,000
7. 7.30 (ABC) — 714,000
8. The Chase Australia 5.30pm (Seven) — 684,000
9. BBL (Seven) — 593,000
10. RBT repeat (Nine) — 590,000

Top metro programs: none with a million or more viewers.

Losers: it’s summer.

Metro news and current affairs:

1. Seven News  — 852,000
2. Seven News 6.30 — 836,000
3. Nine News 6.30 — 805,000
4. Nine News — 785,000
5. ACA (Nine) — 654,000
6. 7pm ABC News — 607,000
7. 7.30 summer (ABC) — 473,000
8. Australian Story summer (ABC) — 361,000
9. The Project 7pm (Ten) — 340,000
10. 10 News First — 290,000

Morning (national) TV:

1. Sunrise (Seven) — 431,000/246,000
2. Today (Nine) — 304,000/196,000
3. News Breakfast (ABC) — 299,000/194,000
4. The Morning Show (Seven) — 207,000
5. Today Extra (Nine) — 142,000
6. Studio 10 (Ten) —  50,000

Top 5 pay TV programs: 

1. Cricket: BBL Between the Innings (Fox Cricket) — 160,000
2. Cricket: BBL Innings (Fox Cricket) — 146,000 
3. Cricket: BBL Innings (Fox Cricket) — 142,000
4. Chequered Flag (Fox Sports) — 51,000
5. Cricket: BBL Post Game (Fox Cricket) — 41,000