WHO WE ARE: The TV shows Australia loved

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This contains charts of the most watched programs of the 20th and 21st centuries, prepared by David Dale and based on data from OzTAM and ACNielsen. Last updated February 10, 2009. For the latest media trends, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare

Most watched so far in 2009: Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (9) 2.58m; Tennis: Australian Open, Dokic last game (7) 2.32m; Tennis: Aus Open Men's Final (7) 2.24m; Cricket: Twenty/20 Aus v South Africa Game 2 (9) 2.12m; Cricket: Twenty/20 Aus v S. Africa Game 1 (9) 2.05m.

Chart 1. The top shows since 2001
Based on OzTAM's audience estimates for the mainland capitals. Series figures are for the most watched episode of the year.
1 Tennis: Aus Open final - Hewitt v Safin 2005 (7) 4.04 million
2 Rugby World Cup final 2003 (7) 4.01 million
3 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony 2006 (9) 3.56m
4 AFL Grand Final 2005 (10) 3.39m
5 Australian Idol Final Verdict 2004 (10) 3.35m
6 Australian Idol final 2003 (10) 3.30 m
7 AFL Grand Final 2006 (10) 3.15m
8 The Block auction 2003 (9) 3.11 m
9 September 11 reportage, September 12, 2001 (9, 7, ABC) 3.10 m
10 Tennis: Wimbledon day 14 2001 (9) 3.04 m
11 AFL grand final 2003 (10) 2.96 m
12 Big Brother winner announced 2004 (10) 2.86m
13 Australian Idol Live from Opera House 2004 (10) 2.86 m
14 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony 2008 (7) 2.82m
To read and discuss the complete charts, go to The culture

15 AFL Grand Final 2004 (10) 2.80 m
16 Beaconsfield miners interview 2006 (9) 2.79m
17 Big Brother finale 2001 (10) 2.78 m
18 The National IQ Test 2002 (9) 2.78 m
19 Tennis: Australian Open men's final 2006 (7) 2.75 m
20 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony 2006 (9) 2.74m
21 Soccer World Cup final 2002 (9) 2.70 m
22 Australia Unites: Reach out to Asia 2005 (7,9,10) 2.67m
23 Dancing With The Stars 4, finale, 2006 (7) 2.66m
24 AFL grand final 2002 (10) 2.62 m
25 AFL grand final 2001 (7) 2.60 m
26 Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities 2009 (9) 2.58m
27 AFL grand final 2007 (10) 2.57m
28 NRL grand final 2005 (9) 2.57 m
29 Seven news Sunday 2004 (7) 2.56m
30 NRL grand final 2006 (9) 2.56m
31 Friends season finale 2001 (9) 2.54 m
32 Kath and Kim opening episode 2007 (7) 2.52m
33 World Swimming Championships day 8 2001 (9) 2.51 m
34 Melbourne Cup race 2005 (7) 2.51m
35 Terri Irwin interview 2006 (9) 2.51m
36 Melbourne Cup race 2002 (7) 2.50 m
37 AFL Grand Final 2008 (7) 2.49m
38 Rugby World Cup Aus v. Argentina 2003 (7) 2.49 m
39 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony 2003 (7) 2.49 m
40 Desperate Housewives opening 2005 (7) 2.48m
41 Nine Sunday news - Beaconsfield 2006 (9) 2.48m
42 Melbourne Cup race 2004 (7) 2.47m
43 Cricket World Cup final Aus v India 2003 (9) 2.46m
44 Tennis: Aus Open men's semi-final Hewitt v Roddick 2005 (7) 2.46 m
45 Soccer: Australia beats Uruguay 2005 (SBS) 2.46m
46 Seven news, Beijing Day 3 (7) 2.45m
47 Tennis: Aus Open Men's Final 2007 (7) 2.44m
48 Rugby World Cup semi final Aus v NZ 2003 (7) 2.43 m
49 Tennis: Aus Open women's round 4 Molik v Williams 2005 (7) 2.43m
50 Nine News Sunday 2003 (9) 2.42 m
51 Logie Awards 2001 (9) 2.41 m
52 Friends opening 2002 (9) 2.41 m
53 Ten news Sunday -- Bali bombings 2002 (10) 2.40 m
54 World Idol performance show 2003 (10) 2.40 m
55 Steve Irwin memorial service 2006 (ABC, 7, 9, 10) 2.39m
56 NRL grand final 2007 (9) 2.39m
57 Cricket: 20/20 match Aus v England 2007 (9) 2.37m
58 NRL grand final 2003 (9) 2.35 m
59 Tennis: Australian Open Men's Final 2008 (7) 2.35m
60 60 Minutes 2001 (9) 2.34 m
61 Lost premiere 2005 (7) 2.34 m
62 Dancing With The Stars 2 final 2005 (7) 2.33 m
63 Election debate 2007 (9, ABC) 2.33m
64 Backyard Blitz 2001 (9) 2.32 m
65 Tennis: Australian Open, Dokic last match 2009 (7) 2.32m
66 The Biggest Loser finale 2006 (10) 2.31m
67 Big Brother final eviction 2002 (10) 2.30 m
68 Soccer World Cup: Aus v Italy 2006 (SBS) 2.30m
69 Athens Olympics Opening Ceremony 2004 (7) 2.29 m
70 The Force debut episode 2006 (7) 2.29 m
71 The Block II auction 2004 (9) 2.28 m
72 Big Brother winner 2005 (10) 2.28m
73 Friends final 2004 (9) 2.27m
74 Melbourne Cup race 2006 (7) 2.27m
75 Big Brother final eviction 2003 (10) 2.27 m
76 Logie Awards 2004 (9) 2.27 m
77 Border Security 2006 (7) 2.27 m
78 The Melbourne Cup race 2008 (7) 2.27m
79 Logie Arrivals 2006 (9) 2.26m
80 Survivor II: The Australian Outback final 2001 (9) 2.25 m
81 Celebrity Big Brother premiere 2002 (10) 2.25 m
82 Desperate Housewives season 2 opening 2006 (7) 2.25m
83 Melbourne Cup race 2003 (7) 2.24 m
84 The Chaser's War on Everything 2007 - APEC episode (ABC) 2.24m
85 Tennis: Aus Open Men's Final 2009 (7) 2.24m
86 Popstars 2001 (7) 2.23 m
87 Dancing With The Stars 3 finale 2005 (7) 2.22m
88 Beijing Olympics Day 1 prime time (7) 2.21m
89 Dancing With The Stars 6 finale 2007 (7) 2.19m
90 The Melbourne Cup race 2007 (7) 2.19m
91 Rugby league: State of Origin match 3 2008 (9) 2.14m
92 Heroes premiere 2007 (7) 2.11m
93 Da Kath and Kim Code 2005 (ABC) 2.09m.

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). For further observations of Australian attitudes and behaviour, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

Last century
It is impossible to give precise audience figures for the most watched shows of the 20th century, so what follows is an approximate ranking, using estimates from ACNielsen. The top three would have had audiences above 6 million in the mainland capitals. All would have been seen by at least half of the Australians watching TV at the time.

1. Diana Spencer's funeral 1997 (9, 7, 10, ABC)
2 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies 2000 (7)
3 Wedding of Charles and Diana 1981 (9, 7, 10, ABC)
4 Cathy Freeman's Olympic gold run 2000 (7)
5 Olympic swimming events 2000 (7)
6 Olympic opening ceremony 1984 (10)
7 The Sound of Music 1977 (9)
8 Boxing: Rose v Rudkin 1969 (10)
9 The World Of The Seekers 1968 (9)
10 Roots mini-series 1977 (10)
11 Moon landing 1969 (9, 7, 10, ABC)
12 Royal Charity Concert 1980 (9)
13 AFL Grand Final 1996 (7)
14 Holocaust mini-series, 1978 (7)
15 The Beatles Sing For Shell 1964 (9)
16 Commonwealth Games Day 7 1998 (9)
17 Friends 1998, 1999, 2000 (9)
18 A Town Like Alice 1981 (7)
19 Homicide 1971, 1972 (7)
20 Hey Hey It's Saturday Final 1999 (9)
21 Boxing: Rose v Numata 1971 (7)
22 Seekers Down Under 1967 (7)
23 Moscow Circus 1968 (9)
24 Olympics day 7 1996 (7)
25 Olympic opening 1996 (7)
26 Against The Wind 1978 (7)
27 Moscow Circus 1971 (7)
28 Paul Hogan special 1977 (9)
29 Abba in Europe 1976 (7)
30 Ben Casey 1962 (7)
31 Blue Heelers 1998 (7)
32 Perry Mason 1959 (9)
33 The Untouchables 1960 (7)
34 77 Sunset Strip 1959, 1960 (7)
35 Sale of the Century 1981 (9)
36 Return To Eden miniseries 1983 (10)
37 The Mavis Bramston Show 1965 (7)
38 Bodyline miniseries 1984 (10)
39 Moscow Circus 1965 (9)
40 The Detectives 1962 (9,7)
41 Seachange 1999 (ABC)
42 60 Minutes 1986 (9)
43 Bonanza 1961 (7,9)
44 My Name's McGooley, What's Yours 1966 (7)
45 All The Rivers Run 1983 (7)
46 The Thorn Birds 1983 (10)
47 For The Term of His Natural Life miniseries 1983 (9)
48 Number 96 1974 (10)
49 I Love Lucy 1958 (9)

TOP SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIES
The movies Australia loved on TV*
1 The Sound of Music (9) 1977
2 Raiders of the Lost Ark (10) 1985
3 Star Wars (10) 1982
4 Cleopatra (9) 1971
5 Airport (9) 1977
6 Ghost (9) 1992
7 The Fugitive (9) 1995
8 Pretty Woman (7) 1992
9 Every Which Way But Loose (10) 1983
10 Picnic at Hanging Rock (7) 1980
11 The Castle (9) 1999
12 Forrest Gump (9) 1997
13 Superman (10) 1983
14 My Fair Lady (7) 1978
15 The Jolson Story (7,9) 1961
* Films attracting more than 40% of viewers in Sydney and Melbourne since 1965
SOURCE: AC Nielsen

COMMENTS

The most watched show of the 60s was a boxing match??

by Fiona on November 08, 2006 at 06:43 PM

The most watched show of the 00s was a tennis match?

by par3182 on December 24, 2006 at 09:35 PM

Geez it's a shame Oztam only counts the 50% of Australians that only live in the capitals, and ignores the half that live in regional areas. I know the League figures would increase. BTW, shouldn't the 06 NRL GF be between the Terri Irwin interview and Dancing WT Stars for the 06 list?

by Misty Bee on December 27, 2006 at 09:11 PM

It's pretty funny that in the top 73 shows since 2001, that only one show is from SBS (coming in at 57th). And that soccer game from SBS was 1am and finished at 3am. If it was in primetime, it would have rated alot better.

Tribal Mind replies: But then it would not have been live, and everyone would have already known the result

by Jimbo Dragons on February 10, 2007 at 02:57 PM

Any reason whay you've refered to her as "Diana Spencer", instead of Diana, Princess of Wales ?

by Rebecca on May 01, 2007 at 12:20 AM

What?!? That sexy 90's soap opera rompfest 'Chances' didn't make the list? That's just wrong people! :-P

by Evan on May 22, 2007 at 03:27 PM

I am not surprised that TV is dying and a show like Kath and Kim was so supported.
With rubbish reality shows thrust upon us so much, particularly shows like Big Brother that is akin to watching grass grow, what do the commercial channels think will happen to their past audiences.
TV in Australia is boring boring boring.

by Maurice Cally on August 20, 2007 at 11:02 AM

Any reason whay you've refered to her as "Diana Spencer", instead of Diana, Princess of Wales ?

Posted by: Rebecca on May 1, 2007 12:20 AM

Rebecca, when Diana died she was formally divorced from Prince Charles. Therefore she had no claim to be called Princess of Wales.

by not a fan on August 20, 2007 at 12:47 PM

Its pretty sad to know that both Australian Idol and Big Brother both made the top twenty.

These two shows are the epitome of rubbish television.

by TNC on August 20, 2007 at 02:56 PM

How is The Simpsons not on the list? It's been on for nearly 20 years, and not one episode made it?
Weird.

Tribal MInd replies: Shows need to attract more than 2 million to make the list. The Simpsons has never done better than 1.4 million for a single episode

by Alex on August 20, 2007 at 03:16 PM

Any reason whay you've refered to her as "Diana Spencer", instead of Diana, Princess of Wales ?
Posted by: Rebecca on May 1, 2007 12:20 AM
Rebecca, when Diana died she was formally divorced from Prince Charles. Therefore she had no claim to be called Princess of Wales.
* Posted by: not a fan on August 20, 2007 12:47 PM
Not a Fan,
I do not know why Diana is referred to by her single name but FYI Diana's title was 'Diana, Princess of Wales' to the day she died. Upon divorce, she relinquished the title of Her Royal Highness only.

by Jamie on August 20, 2007 at 03:35 PM

'Yes, Minister' and 'Frontline' are both superb satires, but safely about a small number of people in particular occupations.
What I find so significant about 'Kath & Kim' is that it is bitingly satirical about aspirational suburbanites, a huge chunk of Australians. It captures the Australian Ugliness in a very confronting way. If we accept that there is even a little bit of them in us (as we must if we are being completely honest with ourselves), how could we ever feel superior to anyone else?
This is satire at its best, showing us our frailties when other means would fail.

by termite on August 20, 2007 at 03:59 PM

what about Brides of Christ? i'm shocked that it's not on there?

by chappie on September 24, 2007 at 07:47 PM

Whoops, did not watch any of the Top 15 shows since 2001 apart from Sept 11 reportage and that was rather hard to miss! What does that say about me?

by Shoopie on October 20, 2007 at 12:18 PM

Her title was Princess of Wales. I am no monarchist but while she lost her HRH, she certainly was still the Princess of Wales.

by ben on November 27, 2007 at 10:36 AM

I'm very surprised the MASH final "Goodbye, farewell and amen" didn't make it onto the list...

by Adrian on December 31, 2007 at 10:47 AM

To Maurice Calley re TV in Australia is boring.
I live in Switzerland and get over 1000 channels on Satellite TV - from all over Europe, the middle east and as far away as Thailand. I've never made it through the lot but as far as I can tell IT'S ALL BORING!!

by Judith Golden on February 18, 2008 at 10:42 AM

I am continually frustrated that only the 5 mainland capitals are used in these ratings. They really do paint a ridiculously distorted figure at times. The classic example is the AFL-NRL Grand Final figures. More than half of Australia's population is in NSW & Qld - very definitely Rugby League dominated, and both those states have huge percentages of provincial city & rural populations, unlike the 3 AFL states. When cities like Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong (2.2million in those few cities alone), the ratings figures change quite drammatically - I know, I've seen the figures with all regional centres included (albeit a couple of years ago). The ratings for Townsville, Cairns & Mackay for example, for the 2005 Grand Final, which were published in regional newspapers showed that between 75% & an amazing 92% of the total population of those cities were watching! Why are more than 10 million Australians (nearly 50% of the population) always excluded from the published ratings??? For mine, it makes them a pointless exercise & completely IRRELEVANT in the form in which they are published. Show X is watched by 3.1 million in capitals & Show Y by 2.1 million, however in the entire country, Show Y is ACTUALLY watched by 4.2 million and Show X by 3.8 million!!!! Rather a different picture isn't it.

by Glen Hudson on March 02, 2008 at 07:40 PM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

WHO WE ARE: The TV shows Australia loved

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