Home grown shows help Seven to supremacy in 2009’s top 50 shows so far

Seven’s TV shows dominate in an analysis of Australia’s 50 most watched series so far this year.

According to data prepared by the network, Seven has 23 shows in the top 50 followed by Nine with 16 and Ten with eight. The ABC has just three shows in the top 50, while SBS has none.  

The analysis is based on data from OzTam covering Australia’s five metro TV audiences.

In the top ten TV shows, Seven’s dominance is even more pronounced, with seven shows in the top 10.

However, the biggest average audience of the year has been for Nine’s Underbelly, the only show to average more than two million metro viewers. Close behind was Seven’s Packed To The Rafters, with an average metro audience of just over 1.8m.

Every one of the top ten shows was Australian produced.

Meanwhile, the importance of The Gruen Transfer to the ABC in reaching large audiences is underlined by it being one of just three shows from the national broadcaster to make it into the top 50. The others were Spicks and Specks and the British drama Midsomer Murders.

The rundown also serves to put the success of MasterChef Australia into perspective – so far it is only the 34^th most watched show. However, it does appear to have been growing its audience – last night it rated 1.5m.

Top 50 first run shows so far this year (m):

1. Underbelly Nine 2.162
2. Packed to the Rafters Seven 1.839
3. Thank God You’re Here Seven 1.624
4. Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation Ten 1.621
5. Seven News – Sunday Seven 1.587
6. Border Security Seven 1.550
7. Seven News – Monday-Friday Seven 1.518
8. Find My Family Seven 1.517
9. Nine News – Sunday Nine 1.469
10. RSPCA Animal Rescue Seven 1.433
11. NCIS Ten 1.433
12. Today Tonight Seven 1.390
13. Triple Zero Heroes Seven 1.389
14. Customs Nine 1.381
15. Australia’s Got Talent Seven 1.377
16. Seven News – Saturday Seven 1.376
17. Merlin Nine 1.355
18. Better Homes and Gardens Seven 1.348
19. The Force Seven 1.338
20. 60 Minutes Nine 1.294
21. Two and a Half Men Nine 1.291
22. So You Think You Can Dance Ten 1.279
23. Bondi Rescue Ten 1.273
24. Criminal Minds Seven 1.271
25. Border Security USA Seven 1.229
26. The Farmer Wants A Wife Nine 1.224
27. City Homicide Seven 1.219
28. Midsomer Murders ABC 1.194
29. Spicks and Specks ABC 1.180
30. Sunday Night Seven 1.178
31. All Saints Seven 1.177
32. Recruits Ten 1.172
33. Bones Seven 1.164
34. Masterchef Ten 1.163
35. Nine News – Monday-Friday Nine 1.163
36. The Gruen Transfer ABC 1.160
37. Billy Connolly Seven 1.153
38. Crime Investigation Australia Nine 1.150
39. Missing Pieces Nine 1.141
40. The Biggest Loser – Weigh In Ten 1.139
41. 20 to 1 Nine 1.137
42. 10 Years Younger in 10 Days Seven 1.126
43. Adults Only 20 to 1 Nine 1.125
44. Law and Order: SVU Ten 1.123
45. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nine 1.122
46. Home and Away Seven 1.118
47. RPA Nine 1.099
48. Domestic Blitz Nine 1.095
49. A Current Affair Nine 1.094
50. Gangs of Oz Seven 1.089

Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.

Linkedin

topics ABC free TV Nine Packed To The Rafters SBS Seven Ten top 50 TV ratings Underbelly

Share Tweet Share

Comments: 3

re: turn on 18 May 09

Local content producers rejoice!!!

User ID not verified.

sparky 19 May 09

Supremacy

User ID not verified.

mumbrella 19 May 09

Thanks, Sparky – fixed

---