People’s Forum highest rating debate in Sky News Australia history
The first head to head debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese during the 2022 election campaign drew a record number of viewers.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The first leaders’ debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese has been a winner for Sky News Australia, as more than 415,000 viewers tuned into the channel’s highest-ever rated political forum.
Wednesday’s debate was Sky News’s highest ever rated political forum in its history. Viewing figures were up 84 per cent from Mr Morrison’s face-off with then leader Bill Shorten in 2019 and up 30 per cent from Julia Gillard’s debate against Tony Abbott in 2010.
with figures from ratings company OzTAM showing the broadcast attracted 192,000 viewers on subscription television.
The Sky News-Courier Mail people’s forum also drew an additional average viewing audience of 102,000 people on Sky News Regional and 121,000 live streams across digital platforms including skynews.com.au and News Corp Australia mastheads.
The People’s Forum was also the number one streamed program of month for the news streaming service Flash.
Sky News Australia chief executive Paul Whittaker said the results showed the significant interest in the May 21 election before people cast their vote next month.
“The Sky News/The Courier-Mail People’s Forum between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese held in Brisbane on Wednesday night, delivered record audiences ranking as the highest rated debate ever on Sky News,” he said.
“Last night was where we saw real politics kick in as real people got to ask the tough questions on the issues they care about.
“The debate showcased the best moments of the election campaign to date, demonstrating the power of the live People’s Forum format as both leaders were challenged by 100 undecided voters on the key issues in a way they have not had to do since the start of the campaign.”
The debate was held at the Gabba and the two leaders clashed on many topics including China, border security and aged care.
Afterwards Mr Albanese secured 40 per cent of undecided voters’ support ahead of Mr Morrison who recorded 35 per cent.
One quarter of attendees at the forum remained undecided of who they would vote for at the upcoming election on My 21.
Woolies, Coles ‘fake’ discounts spread across the entire supermarket
Woolworths and Coles fooled customers into buying everyday groceries by using fake discounts spanning almost every aisle of the supermarket, new court documents reveal.
Virgin pushes for quick decision on extra Qatar flights
Virgin Australia has asked the competition watchdog to fast-track its decision on a deeper relationship with Qatar Airways, so more flights to Doha can get underway from June.
CBA offshoring sparks spat with union
The Finance Sector Union has taken aim at Commonwealth Bank, accusing the bank of sending 24 jobs offshore at the same time it cuts back on its footprint in Western Australia.
Insolvencies: one area of the economy going gangbusters
Businesses are going bust at a faster rate than at any other time in the nation’s history, as the combination of rising costs and an economic slowdown push small firms over the edge.
Beware false dawn on US economy, Macquarie warns
Recent positive surprises in US economic data may be a false dawn as rising bond yields could drive a renewed downturn by year-end, Macquarie Equities says.
BlueScope calls for east coast gas reservation
Australia’s east coast faces a looming shortfall of gas – stoking debate about who, exporters or domestic users, should miss out.