Network 10 has achieved its biggest first half commercial shares in nine years, capturing a bigger share of viewers aged under 50 and in the key demographics of 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and 18 to 49s.

Network 10’s prime time commercial shares as at 27 June, 2020 were:

The network has grown its year-on-year commercial share every week this year and its audience in 22 of the 26 weeks so far this year. 10 Bold has had a remarkable 72 consecutive weeks of year-on-year growth, while 10 Peach has had 22 consecutive weeks of year-on-year growth.

Network 10 and Channel 10 experienced the biggest growth across the first half of any network or channel in Australia year-on-year.

Across the period, Network 10 and Channel 10 grew 21% year-on-year while 10 Bold was up 20% (the biggest audience increase of any commercial multi-channel) and 10 Peach was up 13%. 10 Bold was the #1 commercial multi-channel in total people and #1 in its target market of over 40s and 10 Peach was #1 in its target market of 16 to 39s.

Network 10 continued its audience growth story from the second half of 2019 and has achieved 10 consecutive months of year-on-year commercial share growth.

The growth in the first half of 2020 is attributed to strong performances across 10’s prime time schedule including:

• MasterChef Australia: Back To Win is currently up 46% compared to its 2019 average and is achieving its biggest audience since 2016.
• Australian Survivor: All Stars lifted 10’s audience in its timeslot by 49% compared to 2019.
• Have You Been Paying Attention? is currently up 10% compared to its 2019 average. It also achieved its biggest season launch ever.
• I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! was up 8% compared to its 2019 season, achieving its highest commercial share ever.
• The Project is currently up 29% compared to its 2019 average and is achieving its biggest audience since 2017.
• The Sunday Project is currently up 30% compared to its 2019 average and is achieving its biggest audience ever.
• Ambulance Australia was up 16% compared to its 2019 average and achieved its biggest audience since 2018.
• 10 News First is currently up 15% compared to its 2019 average and is achieving its biggest audience since 2017.
• Gogglebox Australia was up 13% compared to its 2019 average and achieved its biggest audience since October 2017.
• How To Stay Married was up 12% compared to its season one average in 2018.
• Hughesy, We Have A Problem was up 11% compared to its 2019 average.

Chief content officer and EVP of ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand Beverley McGarvey said: “We are continuing to grow strongly. Our 50 weeks of general entertainment programming strategy this year is paying off. It began in the very first week of 2020 with the launch of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! on 5 January, a week earlier than 2019. This season saw an improved performance on 2019’s successful season, cementing its place as a premium entertainment option for audiences over January.

“The success of our refreshed first quarter this year continued the success and momentum we had at the end of 2019, with Australian Survivor: All Stars, Ambulance Australia, Gogglebox Australia and Dancing With The Stars all collectively lifting 10’s timeslot audiences this year."

“The strong performances continued with Have You Been Paying Attention?, which launched to its biggest season premiere audience ever. And, Australian scripted shows The Secrets She Keeps and How To Stay Married performed brilliantly,” she said. 

Network 10’s digital audiences are also surging this year with 10 Play having its biggest year ever, up 25% year-on-year. The growth can be attributed to additional exclusive content being added to the platform, but also record broadcast video on-demand (BVOD) audiences for 10 shows.