Four Corners Guthrie-Milne special spells a big night for the ABC

The ABC was the big star last night. Four Corners was the big draw with its scorching examination of the power play at the top of the national broadcaster. 1.019 million people watched nationally, meaning, that like the 956,000 who watched Malcolm Turnbull on a special Q&A last Thursday, the viewing public understands that the ABC will cover major stories and do them impartially.

The ABC finished second in the main channels behind Seven thanks to the strong performance by Four Corners, plus Australian Story on Tim Fischer and son Harrison — 1.08 million and fifth nationally. From 7pm onwards the ABC won the night, with Q&A (550,000), Media Watch (925,000), ABC News (1 million) and 7.30 (989,000).

In regional markets it was Seven’s 6pm News with 512,000, then Seven News/Today Tonight with 504,000, followed by Home and Away with 392,000, then Australian Story with 354,000, and the 5.30pm part of The Chase Australia with 336,000.

Network channel share:

1. Seven (29.8%)
2. Nine (23.9%)
3. ABC (21.6%)
4. Ten (17.9%)
5. SBS (7.0%)

Network main channels:

1. Seven (19.2%)
2. ABC (19.2%)
3. Nine (15.2%)
4. Ten (12.8%)
5. SBS ONE (4.9%)

Top 5 digital channels: 

1. 7mate (4.9%)
2. 7mate (4.2%)
3. GO (3.9%)
4. 10Boss (3.4%)
5. Gem (2.7%)

Top 10 national programs:

1. Seven News — 1.525 million
2. Seven News/Today Tonight — 1.498 million
3. Nine/NBN News — 1.197 million
4. Nine/NBN News 6.30 — 1.183 million
5. Australian Story (ABC) — 1.086 million
6. Home and Away (Seven) — 1.068 million
7. Four Corners (ABC) — 1.019 million
8. 7pm ABC News — 1.009 million
9. A Current Affair (Nine) — 1.007 million
10. Have You Been Paying Attention (Ten) — 1.004 million

Top metro programs:

1. Seven News — 1.013 million

Losers: No one, though those who didn’t watch Australian Story really missed out.

Metro news and current affairs:

1. Seven News — 1.013 million
2. Seven News/Today Tonight — 994,000
3. Nine News — 918,000
4. Nine News 6.30 — 890,000
5. Australian Story (ABC) — 732,000
6. A Current Affair (Nine) —721,000
7. Four Corners (ABC) — 719,000
8. 7pm ABC News - 697,000
9. 7.30 (ABC) — 665,000
10. Media Watch (ABC) — 661,000

Morning (National) TV:

1. Sunrise (Seven) – 464,000
2. Today (Nine) – 325,000
3. News Breakfast (ABC, ABC News) — 262,000
4. The Morning Show (Seven) — 205,000
5. Mornings (Nine) — 130,000
6. Studio 10 (Ten) — 82,000

Top five pay TV programs:

1. The Bolt Report (Sky News) — 69,000
2. Paul Murray Live (Sky News) — 60,000
3. F1: Brazil GP (Fox Sports), Outlander (showcase) — 57,000
4. Sharri (Sky News) — 46,000