Nine has staked its claim as Australia’s leading TV network for the first half of 2025, citing growth in both primetime and streaming audiences.
Nine has declared itself the number one network in Australian television for the first half of 2025, crediting its reported success to growth across key demographics and platforms, including traditional primetime broadcasts and its streaming service, 9Now.
According to figures cited by the network from OzTAM VOZ, Nine says it led the Total TV market from 6pm to midnight, with shares of 34.2% among People 25-54, 37.1% for People 16-39, and 29.6% for Total People. In the BVOD commercial space, the network claims 9Now secured 45.8% of the Total People share, outpacing its competitors.
Key Points
- Nine asserts it has led national TV and streaming audiences in all key demographics for the first half of 2025
- The network attributes its results to audience growth in younger demographics and major sporting broadcasts
- Programs such as the Australian Open and Married at First Sight were highlighted by Nine as key drivers of viewership
Nine claims its strongest gains have come from younger demographics, stating that Total TV viewing was up 12.1% among People 16-39, and 8.8% among People 25-54. On 9Now, the network reports audience growth of 28.4% for People 16-39 and 25.5% for People 25-54.
The network says this audience momentum was underpinned by major sporting events and popular entertainment formats. It reports that the 2025 Australian Open reached 12.4 million viewers, calling it the tournament’s most-watched broadcast since Ash Barty’s 2022 appearance. It also states that the first two matches of this year’s State of Origin series delivered a National Total TV Audience of 3.8 million per game, with a cumulative reach of 7.9 million.
In entertainment, Nine claims Married at First Sight remains the top-performing entertainment program of the year, averaging 2.6 million Total TV viewers per episode — an increase of 16.6% year-on-year. On 9Now, the network says the series drew over 1 million viewers per episode, up 24.9%.
Hamish Turner, Executive Director of 9Network & 9Now, said the figures demonstrated the continued relevance of free-to-air television in Australia:
“Free-to-air television is demonstrating remarkable vitality and continued growth, proving its appeal as a unifying platform that ensures all Australians can share in our nation’s cultural moments.
“These outstanding half-year results underscore the sustained strength and cultural relevance of Nine’s content. We are privileged to deliver free access to premium news, sport and entertainment for all Australians.”
The network also points to growth in its news coverage, claiming 9News is the highest-rating bulletin across the five metro capitals and in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It reports an average National Total TV Audience of 1.233 million per weeknight, up 11.5% year-on-year. It also states growth was more pronounced among younger viewers, with an increase of 14.4% among People Under 55, and 13.6% among People 16-39.
Among new programming, Nine highlights The Floor, a trivia competition hosted by Rodger Corser, which it claims is the most successful new format launch in VOZ history. The show reportedly averaged 1.4 million Total TV viewers per episode, along with 210,000 on BVOD.
Game show Tipping Point Australia was singled out by the network as the most-watched program in the 5pm timeslot, with a claimed 845,000 Total TV viewers per episode — a year-on-year increase of 11.2%.
Other programs Nine identifies as standouts include:
- A Current Affair: 1 million Total TV viewers per episode, up 6.7% year-on-year.
- 60 Minutes: 809,000 viewers per episode, up 18.0%.
- LEGO Masters: 1 million viewers per episode, with BVOD up 34.9%.
- The Today Show: 319,000 Total TV viewers per episode, BVOD up 27.0%.
- Big Miracles: 737,000 Total TV viewers, up 14.3%.
- Travel Guides: 1.4 million viewers per episode.
- Australia’s Most Identical: 755,000 viewers on Total TV.
- The Great Debate: 1.129 million Total TV viewers.
Nine also highlights several one-off or documentary specials it says performed strongly. Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story attracted 1.302 million Total TV viewers, while Dangerous Lies – Unmasking Belle Gibson drew 1.187 million.
Sport remains a major focus for the network, with Nine reporting year-on-year increases for NRL coverage as well. It claims the NRL season to date has drawn an average of 562,000 Total TV viewers, with BVOD audiences up 32.5%.
While Nine’s data presents a picture of consistent growth and audience leadership across platforms, these claims are based on internal analysis of OzTAM VOZ data and have not been independently verified within this report.
