Struggling shows need a lesson in brevity

The ABC won the 7-7.30pm slot nationally with its news (1.32 million) out-rating Nine’s A Current Affair (1.17 million). That has been happening regularly since COVID-19 hit.

From 7.30pm Nine’s Lego Masters led the night until it ended, finally around 8.40pm — it’s 10 minutes at least too long. From then on the ABC regained the lead with Four Corners (1.07 million) and Media Watch (963,000) and Q&A (547,000). MasterChef Australia on Ten had 1.08 million (30 minutes too long) and House Rules on Seven could only manage 894,000 (90 minutes too long).

The Australian Story episode on actor Sam Neill (1.31 million nationally) ensured the ABC had a strong night, though it still came third overall. Nine won the night from Seven, with Ten very fourth. In Breakfast ABC News Breakfast topped Today for second behind Sunrise — Sunrise had 534,000 national and 313,000 metro, News Breakfast had 355,000/241,000, and Today had 353,000/231,000.

Network channel share:

1. Nine (29.1%)
2. Seven (25.0%)
3. ABC (20.1%)
4. Ten (18.7%)
5. SBS (7.0%)

Network main channels:

1. Nine (22.3%)
2. ABC (16.9%)
3. Seven (16.2%)
4. Ten (13.1%)
5. SBS ONE (4.2%)

Top 5 digital channels: 

1. 10 Bold (3.6%)
2. 7TWO (3.5%)
3. 7mate (3.0%)
4. Gem (2.3%)
5. ABC Kids/Comedy, GO, 10 Peach (2.0%)

Top 10 national programs:

1. Seven News — 2.005 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 1.867 million
3. Nine/NBN News — 1.492 million
4. Lego Masters (Nine) — 1.482 million
5. Nine/NBN News 6.30 — 1.446 million
6. 7pm ABC News — 1.329 million
7. Australian Story (ABC) — 1.318 million
8. 7.30 (ABC) — 1.227 million
9. A Current Affair (Nine) — 1.178 million
10. The Chase Australia 5.30pm (Seven)— 1.162 million

Top metro programs:

1. Seven News — 1.272 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 1.204 million
3. Nine News — 1.129 million
4. Lego Masters (Ten) — 1.097 million
5. Nine News 6.30 — 1.078 million

Losers: Seven again, nothing after the 6pm News.

Metro news and current affairs:

1. Seven News — 1.272 million
2. Seven News 6.30 — 1.204 million
3. Nine News — 1.129 million
4. Nine News 6.30 — 1.078 million
5. 7pm ABC News — 931,000
6. Australian Story (ABC) — 911,000
7. 7.30 (ABC) —841,000
8. A Current Affair (Nine) – 832,000
9. Four Corners (ABC) — 749,000
10. Media Watch (ABC)  — 687,000

Morning (National) TV:

1. Sunrise (Seven) — 534,000/313,000
2. News Breakfast (ABC, ABC News) — 355,000/241,000
3. Today (Nine) — 353,000/231,000
4. The Morning Show (Seven) — 317,000
5. Today Extra (Nine) — 210,000
6. Studio 10 (Ten) — 114,000

Top five pay TV programs: N/A

1. Outlander (Fox One) — 89,000
2. Paul Murray Live (Sky News) — 85,000
3. The Bolt Report (Sky News) — 80,000
4. Credlin (Sky News) — 54,000
5. Kenny On The Media (Sky News) — 49,000