Channel Seven has come out on top in the overall 2014 ratings race, however the Nine Network has taken the prize in key demographics.Seven was the most watched network on primary channels and combined audiences of primary and digital channels for the eighth consecutive year, taking out the number one spot in breakfast television for an eleventh consecutive year and in morning television for the eighth consecutive year.
Overall (combined channels), Seven picked up a 30.4 per cent share of prime-time viewers, Nine 29.2 per cent, Network Ten 17.9 per cent, the ABC 17.4 per cent, and SBS 5.2 per cent.
Nine, however, achieved the largest share of demographics of people aged 25-54, 18-49 and 16-39.
Across the five mainland capitals, Nine finished the ratings year with a prime-time audience share of 31.9 per cent of people aged 25-54, 1.7 share points ahead of Seven and 10.3 ahead of Ten; 32.2 per cent of people aged 18-49, 2.1 ahead of Seven and 9.6 ahead of Ten; and 32.8 per cent of people aged 16-39, 3 ahead of Seven and 9.6 ahead of Ten.
Meanwhile, Ten’s prime-time 25-54 audience grew 2.2 per cent during the year, while its total audience was up 2.6 per cent.
Seven’s My Kitchen Rules was the most watched prime-time event on television in 2014 and the AFL grand final the most watched sports event.
“We’ve made more local shows this year than ever before and the audiences have demonstrated they love it,” commented Seven director of production Brad Lyons.
“My Kitchen Rules is the number one program of the year and House Rules continues to build as the biggest new franchise.”
Nine director of television Michael Healy stated the result means Nine is the “most watched network with everyone under 65”.
“It is proof our programming resonates with our target audience and that’s what we all work so hard to achieve,” Healy stated.
Ten chief executive officer Hamish McLennan, meanwhile, stated Ten’s strategy of focusing on the 25-54 demographic and event TV, including premium live sport, was “fully implemented from May this year”.
“That strategy, plus a sharper focus on promotions and marketing, is attracting more viewers and creating more consistent results,” McLennan commented.
