Australian Pay TV claims Summer ratings win

3Feb09

Hot on the tail of Seven’s announcement that they had won the Summer ratings period, The Multi Channel Network has released ratings figures claiming that Subscription TV in fact had the best ratings figures for the season.

Here’s the media release in full:

Record-breaking summer ratings take STV to number one

Multi Channel Network today announced that Subscription Television (STV) is the number one metro network this summer, attracting 25.1% of total people in the primary viewing period of 6am to midnight. According to OzTam data (weeks 49-5), STV is also the number one network in Sydney (29.3% audience share), Brisbane (26.9%) and Perth (23.5%) with the highest year-on-year metro growth of all networks as we head into the final week of the official Summer ratings period.

Exclusive content has bolstered dedicated audiences across subscription television channels, with first-run series including America’s Next Top Model and Gossip Girl, top-rating movies, and superior live sports coverage ensuring STV’s top position on the ratings ladder.

STV secured its considerable share of viewing over the summer– with 61.7% of summer national audiences in STV homes – almost doubling the combined viewing share of Networks Seven, Nine and Ten during the main viewing period 6am to midnight.

Anthony Fitzgerald, MCN CEO, said he is confident that STV will continue to reap the benefits of continued ratings success throughout 2009. “These results are an indication of STV’s strength in 2009. I look forward to the year ahead, creating accountable advertising for dedicated audiences across a multitude of channels and formats, finding the right advertising solution to fit each specific brand. We are under no illusions that 2009 will  be a tougher year; however our significant on-going investment in new programming and channels combined with innovative advertising models on our multiple platforms will be a key to driving growth.

“Beyond STV’s summer success, MCN has had an impressive summer, attracting a 21.8% commercial metro share for the key 16 to 54 demographic, and was the only commercial network to increase its audience growth, year on year. While the commercial free-to air network’s metro audience declined, MCN’s grew by 3.4%; our Sydney audience grew by 5%, and our average national audience grew by 6%.

“STV’s fresh content, and first run series ensured we had some of the most-watched programs over summer, with superior sports coverage. In particular, Cricket’s Twenty20 final amongst the most-watched shows. Reliable hits such as The Simpsons, Family Guy and Transformers were also included in the summer staple of most-watched programs, providing brands with a dynamic spectrum of advertising possibilities. We look forward to continuing this forward momentum throughout the year,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

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