Festive slush-fest rom-com Love Actually (686,000) was the top non-news program of last night, beating Seven's fantasy series Once Upon a Time (628,000).

Nine News (1.038m) took top spot ahead of Seven News (996,000), with Jamie's Christmas with Bells On (622,000) Ten's top rating show on another deflated viewing night.

Even perrenial achievers The Big Bang Theory (616,000) and Better Homes and Gardens Summer (597,000) suffered as Christmas party season takes full effect.