Seven is Australia’s Most Watched Network in First Half of 2026 – Seven has claimed the title of Australia’s most watched network for the first half of 2026, powered by news, sport, drama, breakfast television and a growing 7plus audience.
Across the first six months of the year, Seven reached 17.6 million Australians every month. The network also ranked #1 in 17 of the first 26 weeks of 2026.
Seven’s strongest performers included 7NEWS, Home and Away, AFL, Test cricket, Big Bash League, Australian Idol, Farmer Wants A Wife, Sunrise, The Chase Australia and The 1% Club.
Together, those shows helped Seven secure a 41.7% national total TV commercial share across all people from 6.00am to midnight. Nine Network recorded 41.5%, while Network Ten recorded 16.8%.
Seven builds momentum in 2026
Seven also grew its audience across key demographics, including all people and grocery shoppers.
In addition, 7plus delivered a strong first half. The platform increased its audience by 49.7% year-on-year and lifted its BVOD share from 38.7% to 40.1%.
Minutes consumed on 7plus also increased by 49%, while daily active users rose by more than 12%.
Southern Cross Media Group’s Managing Director, Television and Streaming, Angus Ross, said Seven’s results reflected the strength of its content across news, sport and entertainment.
“Day in, day out, Seven delivers the moments that matter to Australians, from live sport and breaking news to the best local drama and entertainment shows – all for free,” Mr Ross said.
Ross said the performance of 7NEWS, Sunrise, AFL and cricket showed the continued power of trusted news and live sport. He also pointed to the growth of established local shows, including Farmer Wants A Wife, Australian Idol, Home and Away, The Chase Australia and Better Homes and Gardens.
News, sport and entertainment drive Seven
Seven dominated news and current affairs in the first half of 2026.
7NEWS at 6pm was the most-watched evening news bulletin nationally and increased its total TV audience by 3%.
Meanwhile, Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise won the breakfast television battle every week. The shows attracted more than 35% more viewers than their closest rivals and recorded their biggest winning margin in eight years.
The Morning Show also dominated morning television, with its audience up 2%.
Sport remained a major driver for Seven. Its Test cricket coverage delivered the highest-rating Test series ever on the network, up 12% on the previous summer. The Big Bash League also recorded its most-watched season in six years, up 8% on last summer.
Seven’s AFL coverage has reached 13.5 million Australians so far this season, with its total TV audience up 7%.
Home and Away, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australian Idol grow
Entertainment and drama also played a major role in Seven’s first-half result.
Home and Away increased its audience by 13%, won the highly competitive 7.00pm timeslot from Monday to Thursday, and recorded its biggest audience since 2022.
The Chase Australia was up 5%, while Farmer Wants A Wife lifted 16% so far this season.
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Australian Idol recorded its biggest season ever on Seven. Newcomer My Reno Rules was also named the most-watched new entertainment show, followed closely by Glenn & Mick’s Celebrity Intervention.
Seven also listed the most-watched shows in Australia by reach across several categories. Those included 7NEWS as the #1 news program, AFL as the #1 winter sport, Home and Away as the #1 Australian drama, Better Homes and Gardens as the #1 lifestyle show, Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise as the #1 breakfast shows, and The Morning Show as the #1 morning show.
Seven looks to the second half of 2026
Katie Finney, Seven’s National Television Sales Director, said the first half of the year showed continued momentum across broadcast and 7plus.
She said sport remained a powerful growth engine for brands, while live and free coverage continued to attract large audiences to Seven and 7plus.
The network is now looking ahead to a major second half of 2026.
Key content still to come includes the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, The Voice, My Kitchen Rules, the TV WEEK Logie Awards, more AFL, the AFL Final Series, the Brownlow Medal, the Bathurst 1000, horse racing and the Channel 7 Telethon in Perth.
Ross said Seven would continue to build on its first-half momentum.
“Seven will once again be the most watched network in 2026.”
With strong results across news, sport, drama, breakfast and streaming, Seven enters the second half of the year as Australia’s most watched network.
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