Nine dominates on Sunday as the future of the NRL season is uncertain
Nine proved unbeatable on Sunday, securing a 26.9% audience share as a channel thanks to the power of Married At First Sight and Nine News. The two were the most-watched programs for the day, bringing in 1.115m and 1.069m metro viewers respectively.
Nine also broadcast the NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm with 236,000 metro viewers tuning in. The match may be one of the last for the season which has already struggled with players calling for the season to be suspended over coronavirus fears (COVID-19).
NRL's response to #COVID19
Watch: Channel 9
Stream: https://t.co/1qMvUiZPaU#9WWOS #NRL #NRLManlyStorm pic.twitter.com/qKnyAJsnbg— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) March 15, 2020
A decision handed down from the Prime Minister Scott Morrison that gatherings over 500 people are to be cancelled has put the future of the sporting season in question as codes prepare to play at empty stadiums. But the safety of players is also at risk, with the New Zealand Warriors forced to play in Australia due to quarantine requirements in New Zealand and the possibility of the team dropping out of the season.
Nationally, 474,000 viewers watched the match on Sunday which saw the Storm win 18-4 against the Eagles. During the match the balls in play were being bleached and the ballkids were wearing gloves to handle them.
Nine News was the most-watched nationally with 1.528m viewers, followed by Seven News with 1.526m nationally and 978,000 metro viewers. 1.503m tuned in to Married At First Sight nationally. MAFS also dominated the key advertising demographics – 16-39s, 18-49s and 25-54s – holding top spot in all three followed by 60 Minutes.
Ten’s Dancing With The Stars drew 502,000 metro viewers and 706,000 nationally, while Seven’s My Kitchen Rules: The Rivals brought in 473,000 metro and 759,000 nationally. Over the weekend it was decided TV programs usually recorded in front of a live studio audience would cease that practice going forward.
ABC News delivered 872,000 metro and 1.234m national viewers, and drama Stateless brought in 390,000 metro and 559,000 national viewers. Seven’s The Good Doctor had 381,000 metro and 636,000 nationally. 60 Minutes brought 816,000 metro and 1.142m nationally.
Behind Nine in the primary channel audience shares, Seven delivered 15.0%, ABC 12.0%, Ten 11.5% and SBS 5.1%. As a network, Nine held 35.2%, Seven 22.2%, ABC 17.7% and Ten 17.2%. SBS Network held a 7.7% share and the most-watched multi-channels were 10 Bold and 9Gem with 3.3% apiece.
