Seven Network claims the rating crown in 2023 over Nine despite two months left in the year

Despite almost two months left in the ratings year, Seven Network has called an early rating win as rival Nine struggles in what’s been a horror year.

Channel 7 has continued to smash its rival network Nine, already claiming the crown as the most-watched network for the third year in a row.

With almost two months still left in the official 2023 ratings year, Seven has released a statement it is already in an unbeatable position nationally.

This year’s victory means Seven has been no. 1 in 15 of the past 17 years.

It’s just the latest blow for Nine in its well-documented horror year.

Across the calendar year to date, Seven has captured the No. 1 position nationally in 26 weeks and has been No. 1 in the capital cities in 21 weeks.

The top five most-watched programs so far in 2023 were all on Seven, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Semi Final between the Matildas and England at No.1 with 7.32 million total TV viewers (broadcast and BVOD).

The Matildas’ Semi Final was the most-watched TV program in more than two decades and reached more than 11 million people. It was also the most streamed event ever in Australia, with 957,000 viewers on 7plus.

AFL is Australia’s no. 1 winter sport again this year, with the AFL Grand Final reaching 4.98 million and delivering an average total TV audience of 3.75 million.

Almost 18.6 million Australians watched the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tournament across the screens of Seven, including 14.76 million reached on broadcast and 3.82 million on 7plus.

But the wins don’t stop at sport. The Chase Australia is the No. 1 game show and Home and Away and RFDS are the most-watched local drama series on commercial TV.

SEVEN v NINE; AUSSIE VIEWERS REVEAL WHO THEY PREFER

Australians say they prefer to watch Channel 7 over Nine.

A poll of News Corp readers found 65 per cent said they prefer to watch Channel 7 programs compared to 35 per cent who opted for Nine.

With 162 bulletins a week nationally, 7News is No.1 in Melbourne and Victoria, in NSW, in Qld, in Adelaide and SA, in Perth and WA, and in Tasmania.

Nine’s only bright lights are consistently winning the metro ratings in Sydney and Brisbane. But Seven claims it has closed the gap in Sydney to be within an average of just 5000 viewers behind Nine, and it’s even closer in Brisbane averaging just some 1000 viewers a night between the networks.

Seven’s News and Public Affairs director Craig McPherson said it was extremely satisfying 7News had grown its dominance in 2023 throughout all of Australia and in key markets.

“To be Australia’s No. 1 news source gives all our teams great pride and with it, responsibility to keep delivering accurate and high-quality content for all our markets as we herald over 6000 hours of broadcast news this year,” he said.

TV WARS: INSIDE CHANNEL 9’s HORROR YEAR

They were the two headlines this week Channel 9’s publicity unit no doubt would care to forget: “Seven claims Brekkie TV ratings victory over Today” and “Viewers label reno show The Block as too commercialised”.

Add to that viewer outrage over the network’s Shane Warne biopic “Warnie” — universally ridiculed as a tacky and tone-deaf — the failure of reality shows Rush and The Summit, plus the axing of one-time ratings juggernaut Ninja Warrior, and there’s no doubt it’s been a hell of a year for the one-time all conquering behemoth.

An industry insider said “no matter what claims its executives make publicly, Nine is now just the MAFS (Married At First Sight) network”.

David “Kochie” Koch announcing his retirement from Channel 7’s Sunrise in May, and handing over the reins to Olympian Matt Shirvington in June seemed a golden opportunity for the Today show to close the breakfast television gap.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington. Picture: Supplied

And viewers had warmed to the new partnership of Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, after a somewhat revolving door of female hosts.

One converted viewer summed up the thoughts of many: “I changed over to Channel 9’s Today show a while back because of getting sick of Kochie. Since Sarah Abo started on the Today show it has been really good so I have stayed with Channel 9.”

David Knox, of blog TV Tonight, said Abo “has been a breath of fresh air for Today after three years of anchor overhauls at Nine”.

Viewers initially warmed to the Today pairing of Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.

But, as this week’s numbers show, despite the rollercoaster year of upheavals on the Sunrise team, the show maintained its breakfast TV crown for the 20th year. It also increased its lead over Today, attracting more than 30 per cent more viewers nationally and almost 15 per cent more in the capital cities. In regional Australia, it is 59 per cent.

“There’s no doubt Sunrise has smoothly handed the baton on to Shirvo,” Knox said.

“Normally viewers don’t like change but he has eased into the role, in the middle of a studio shake-up, which speaks well to Seven’s brand loyalty.

“Breakfast viewers are very rusted on to their routine, so it’s important to stay the course.”

Scott Cam and Shelly craft from The Block Seachange Picture: supplied

Alex Williams in character as Shane Warne and Marny Kennedy in character as Simone Warne in the Channel 9 mini series Warnie. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

The breakfast rating battles loss for Nine follows diehard fans of The Block slamming this season for being one big ad and focusing too much on contestants’ drama, rather than their renovations.

Posting on Reddit, a viewer shared that the show’s constant negativity and “bullying” among the cast is becoming “more and more difficult to watch”.

“I don’t mind a bit of drama, it’s a reality show so I get there might be some sparks, but every single episode there’s toxic behaviour, snarky comments and bullying and it’s kind of bringing me down,” the viewer wrote, adding “I don’t feel good after watching The Block anymore and that’s a shame because this is usually my comfort show.”

Reality show rush failed to fire for Channel 9.

Judge Darren Palmer also spoke out about the ‘toxic behaviour’ this year in a candid Q&A on his Instagram account.

After the master suite reno reveals on Sunday, the 45-year-old judge slammed what he had seen playing out on screens.

Palmer replied to one of his followers: “It’s fortunate we don’t hear about or see anything that happens during the week. Keeps judging fair and subjective. I do not condone bullying.”

Fortunately for Nine, the viewer discontent hasn’t translated to a mass switch-off.

While the home reno show isn’t pulling the numbers of its heyday, Nine released a statement affirming its support for the “still unrivalled powerhouse on Australian television”.

“After the first 26 episodes, more than 10.7 million Australians have tuned into The Block, representing 41 per cent of the total population”, the network said.

Australian Ninja Warrior has been axed by Channel 9.

“Across the series, The Block is averaging 1.280 million total TV viewers per episode – 31 per cent more than (reality cooking show) My Kitchen Rules (MKR), which is only averaging 977,000 total TV viewers per episode.”

Nine’s director of television Michael Healey said those numbers speak for themselves.

“The fact that more than 40 per cent of the country has tuned into this series is a phenomenal achievement,” he said.

“We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and look forward to delivering a cracking crescendo to the current season, before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024.”

Knox said any programmer would kill to have numbers like that in today’s fragmented landscape, but he conceded The Block has “certainly beefed up the drama and bitchiness” which “ironically, is what MKR said it got wrong in recent years”.

“As it approaches its 20th year you’d hope producers keep renovation at the core of the show,” he said.

Tracy Grimshaw will be returning to Channel 9 in 2024.

Knox however points out there are still plenty of positives for Nine – consistently winning the 7pm slot with A Current Affair, “with viewers happy in the transition (from former host Tracy Grimshaw) to Ally Langdon”. Despite the mounting criticism, he believes the network is looking at a strong 2024.

“With the Paris Olympics added to MAFS, Lego Masters, Travel Guides and the return of Grimshaw (in a capacity yet to be announced), Nine is well-positioned for a strong year,” he said, adding though he’d like to see a returnable drama on their slate.

“The approach seems to be around event miniseries to follow reality juggernauts.

“It looks like Nine’s only local drama this year will be Warnie (which ran in June), but there are other opportunities if you can strike the right balance.

“Total TV numbers from (Channel 7’s Royal Flying Doctor show) RFDS and (the ABC’s) The Newsreader indicate viewers also appreciate returning to characters they connect with.”