Christmas gift lists and late night shopping may have kept televisions turned off around Australia last night with every program failing to break through the magic million mark.

Seven News was Thursday evening’s most watched program with 931,000 viewers, according to OzTam’s preliminary metro ratings.

While Seven had the most watched show it was rival Nine with the largest share of audience.

Nine won the night with a combined 28.8% share of all free-to-air viewers leaving Seven in runner-up position with 24.9%.

Nine’s primary channel won 18.6% alone while Seven’s took 15.3%.

Nine’s most watched entertainment property was Getaway in eighth place (593,000) and Seven’s was Better Homes and Gardens Summer (652,000).

Ten’s most watched show was Ten Eyewitness News (555,000) in 12^th place, followed by Law & Order: SVU (531,000).

Ten sat on a total 20.8% share with 14% for its primary channel.

The result put Ten ahead of the ABC which won a combined 17.9% with 10.5% for ABC1.

SBS was left with 7.6% and 6.5% for SBS ONE.