As news broke across the world, and shattered the hearts of millennial women everywhere, that Liam Payne, singer and former member of boyband One Direction had passed away, it was the news that did the numbers last night with Seven raking in a total TV national reach of 1,932,000 and a national average audiences of 1,181,000.
Nine came in just behind with a total TV national reach of 1,900,000 and a national average audience of 1,144,000.
Audiences tuned in just as the news of the preliminary autopsy results broke, revealing that Payne had passed away on the scene from injuries that were “incompatible for life”.
The news also reported as fans gathered outside the Argentinian apartment he has been staying in to pay tribute to be beloved performer.
@bbcnews Outside the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne died, fans sang One Direction songs. #LiamPayne #OneDirection #1D #BuenosAires #Argentina #MusicNews #BBCNews
It is likely that this tragic event will dominate the airways for days to come with news programs likely to continue to take the top spots.
On Nine, RBT achieved a National Total TV Reach of 1.377 million and a Total TV National Audience of 624,000 – up 2.3% on the same night last year. On 9Now, its BVOD audience was 52,000, up 57.6% year-on-year.
