At the end of the first quarter of 2021, the 9Network is leading the survey-year-to-date with all key demographics and Total People.

Free-to-air network shares: 2021 survey-year-to-date

The remarkable figures show that the 9Network is enjoying its second best ever start to the year with the key demographics of People 25-54 and 16-39 since the inception of OzTAM 20 years ago.

Furthermore, the 9Network is enjoying its highest ever first-quarter lead over its nearest competitor with the key demographics of People 25-54 and 16-39. With People 25-54, the 9Network is 8.6 share points ahead of its nearest competitor. And with People 16-39, the margin over its nearest competitor blows out to 10.2 share points.

The 9Network’s unprecedented start to the 2021 ratings survey period kicked off with summer’s No. 1 sport, the Australian Open, which dominated viewing across the country for the duration of the tournament. More than 11 million viewers tuned into the two-week broadcast, while 247 million minutes of content was streamed on 9Now, representing a 10% increase on last year’s streaming figures.

The Australian Open once again provided an unapparelled launch for Married at First Sight, which has completely dominated primetime viewing across the past four weeks. Now in its eighth season, MAFS is still the biggest show in town with an average of almost two million viewers watching each episode across broadcast television and on 9Now.

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Our news and current affairs programming continue to perform strongly, with 9News leading the survey year to date in the nation’s three largest markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. A Current Affair is leading the competitive 7.00pm timeslot across the 5 City Metro for the survey year to date. While at breakfast, Today is leading the 2021 ratings survey period across the capital cities with the key demographics of People 25-54 and 16-39.

Hamish Turner, Nine’s Program Director, said: “The powerful combination of the Australian Open, Married at First Sight and a diverse news offering has driven Nine to a dominant position in Q1. Across both the 9Network’s linear channels and 9Now, we have seen Married again capture the national conversation in a way no other Australian TV show does. Married will continue its momentum as we move into Easter and beyond with a strong slate of family favourites like LEGO Masters, Ninja Warrior, Celebrity Apprentice, Beauty & The Geek and The Block that will continue to deliver throughout the year.

Michael Stephenson, Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, said: “2021 has seen a phenomenal start to the TV ratings years for Nine. Again, Married at First Sight has been a cross platform juggernaut, delivering across linear TV and 9Now with all key demographics. We know we have a trusted and proven content slate and will carry that momentum into Q2 with the MAFS vow renewals, LEGO Masters and Celebrity Apprentice. As ever, Nine is the clear market leader across total television – be it linear TV or digital.”

Key Broadcast Video On Demand Highlights – 2021 survey-year-to-date

Survey year to date, Nine dominates with a 53% share of minutes against CFTA platforms. This equates to 2 billion minutes of content being streamed, 63% higher than its nearest competitor

Source: OzTAM Live + VOD VPM, 7 February – 25 March 2021, Share based on CFTA BVOD Platforms, Metric: Minutes, Includes Coviewing on connected TV

Nine holds majority share for key buying demos such as PPL18-39 (57%) and PPL25-54 (56%)

Source: OzTAM Live + VOD VPM, 7 February – 25 March 2021, Share based on CFTA BVOD Platforms, Metric: Minutes, Includes Coviewing on connected TV

Nine records double digit year on year growth in live streaming, up +70% in live minutes

Source: OzTAM Live VPM, 7 February – 25 March 2021 v 9 February – 26 March 2020, 9Now Only, Metric: Minutes, Includes Coviewing on connected TV

MAFS is the #1 catch up program against all CFTA platforms. To date, over 520 million minutes of long form catch-up content has been streamed, 4 times bigger than its nearest competitor (The Amazing Race Australia)

Source: OzTAM VOD VPM, 7 February – 25 March 2021, Top catch up programs ranked against CFTA BVOD Platforms, Metric: Minutes, Includes Coviewing on connected TV

Survey year to date, Nine dominates live streaming with tennis and MAFS, taking out 9 of the top 10 spots against CFTA competitors

Source: OzTAM Live VPM, 7 February – 25 March 2021, Top live programs ranked against CFTA BVOD Platforms, Metric: BVOD Audience, Includes Coviewing on connected TV

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For further information, please contact:

Nic Christensen
Head of Corporate Affairs, Nine  
nchristensen@nine.com.au

Terry Stuart
Communications Manager, Nine
03 9420 3458
tstuart@nine.com.au

Monday, 29 March, 2021