Despite a reported cash splash, it appears last night’s budget wasn’t of huge interest to most Aussies with the ABC’s coverage managing just 420,000 viewers according to OzTAM metro numbers. Last year’s effort pulled 413,000, while 2020’s had 518,000.
Viewers appeared far more interested in the seedy antics of MAFS, that topped Tuesday’s numbers with just over a million.
Nine comfortably won the night with 34.7 per cent of all of the evening’s eyeballs (all channels). Seven was second with 24.1 per cent, 10 had 16.3 per cent, the ABC pulled a neat 16 and SBS was desperately close to double figures with 8.9 per cent.
Seven’s news was the most watched of the news programs with 954,000, Nine’s did 847,000 and ACA managed 717,000.
MAFS aside, the other highlights in entertainment were Nine’s The Hundred With Andy Lee (513,000) and 10’s The Dog House (433,000.
Other highlights for Nine were Hot Seat (350,000) and Tipping Point (285,000),
Seven did well with Home And Away (476,000), while SAS Australia (350,000) continues to plod.
Highlights for 10 included The Project (403,000) and 10 News First (286,000).
The ABC’s night went thus: 7pm news (639,000), Frydenberg’s budget speech (420,0000) and the post-budget analysis (292,000).