In a closely contested ratings battle, Seven News narrowly edged out Nine News on Thursday night, capturing a national TV audience of 1.33 million viewers compared to Nine’s 1.32 million. This slight lead underscores the intense competition between Australia’s leading news broadcasters.
The announcement comes as both networks continue to vie for dominance in the evening news slot. Despite Seven’s win in the news category, Nine maintained a strong overall performance on the night, buoyed by popular programs such as A Current Affair and the National Rugby League (NRL) coverage.
Entertainment and Sports Ratings
Thursday’s ratings revealed that Tipping Point topped the entertainment charts with 802,000 viewers, surpassing The Chase, which garnered 638,000 viewers. Meanwhile, the NRL match scored an impressive 804,000 viewers, highlighting the sport’s enduring popularity in Australia. In contrast, the AFL Women’s (AFLW) match drew 221,000 viewers where it was broadcasted.
According to sources, Nine’s A Current Affair led its time slot with 1.01 million viewers, while other programs such as Emergency and RBT attracted 192,000 and 89,000 viewers respectively in select markets.
Programming Highlights Across Networks
On the Seven Network, a triple episode of Home & Away captivated audiences with 750,000, 676,000, and 646,000 viewers across its broadcasts. Meanwhile, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? UK and Air Crash Investigation drew 248,000 and 128,000 viewers respectively where they were aired.
ABC News maintained a strong presence with an average of 876,000 viewers, followed by Hard Quiz with 410,000, Griff’s Great American South with 323,000, and The Family Next Door with 126,000 viewers.
Network Comparisons and Viewer Trends
Despite the fierce competition, Nine easily claimed victory for the night overall, thanks to the combined strength of its news and entertainment lineup. The network’s strategic programming choices, such as airing popular shows back-to-back, have proven effective in capturing a broad audience.
Meanwhile, Ten Network’s offerings included 10 News with 334,000 viewers, followed by Deal or No Deal with 235,000, Law & Order: SVU with 194,000, 10 News+ with 120,000, and The Cheap Seats with 103,000 viewers.
On SBS, SBS World News attracted 200,000 and 162,000 viewers across its broadcasts, with Into the Amazon with Robson Green drawing 121,000, Mastermind 91,000, and Snowpiercer 36,000 viewers.
Morning Show Ratings
The morning show ratings also highlighted the competitive landscape, with The Morning Show drawing 239,000 and 152,000 viewers, and Today Extra attracting 187,000 and 121,000 viewers.
As networks continue to refine their programming strategies, the battle for viewer attention remains fierce. The results from Thursday, August 14, 2025, reflect ongoing trends in viewer preferences and the dynamic nature of television broadcasting in Australia.
Looking ahead, industry experts predict that networks will increasingly leverage digital platforms to complement traditional broadcasts, aiming to capture a more diverse and tech-savvy audience. The evolving media landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for broadcasters seeking to maintain and expand their viewership.
