September 2024 saw footy grand finals and global political events dominate online news consumption, with 20.7 million people accessing a news website or app during the month, according to fresh data from Ipsos iris.

The 20.7 million figure represents an impressive 96.7% of online Australians aged 14 and over. In addition to the footy finals, other local news events such as the AFL’s Brownlow Medal winners, the Melbourne anti-war protests, and TV shows The Amazing Race Australia, MKR and The Block also attracted online news audiences. Global news events including the ongoing conflict in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest, and the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump also drew audiences.

Across categories, automotive saw a 5% increase, adding 557,000 people month-on-month, and reaching 12.3 million Australians aged 14+. This represents the largest audience for the automotive category since Ipsos iris' inception in 2023. The category includes websites and apps across automotive search, content, and manufacturers, along with state-based motorist associations. Notably, motorist association websites and apps saw a significant increase month-on-month.

Other industry categories that saw increases in online audiences during September included energy suppliers/utilities, technology, directories, and travel categories. More than 21.4 million Australians aged 14+ used the internet in September, spending an average of 4.6 hours per day, or almost 139 hours for the month, online.

The most consumed website and app categories in September were social networking, search engines, technology, retail and commerce, and entertainment. Ipsos iris, which officially launched in March 2023, provides accurate data about the 21.4 million Australians aged 14+ who access a wide variety of digital content and services across smartphone, PC/laptop, and tablet devices.

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 20,000 people.