The Brisbane Lions’ 43-point flogging of the Sydney Swans was the night’s ratings winner, as Seven’s AFL: Thursday Night Football had a Total TV National Reach of 2,184,000 with a Total TV National Average Audience of 694,000.
On the field, the Lions made light work of the second-placed Swans, running out winners 126 to 83. Despite the tough night for Sydney, Chad Warner was best on ground, finishing with four goals from 28 touches that included eight clearances.
Nine’s Tipping Point Australia also had a strong night, pulling a national reach of 1,541,000 and an average audience of 800,000, landing it fourth on the overnight ratings list.
SBS’s FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage was a consistent presence across the night’s top 30, with five separate broadcasts making the list. Scotland v Brazil Live led the network’s coverage in sixth spot with a reach of 1,419,000 and an average audience of 633,000, while Czech Republic v Mexico Live had a 748,000 reach and an average audience of 343,000. South Africa v South Korea had a national reach of 560,000 and an average audience of 209,000, while the Switzerland v Canada match had a reach of 516,000 with an average audience of 163,000.
Thursday Night NRL Live also delivered for Nine, with the Rabbitohs keeping their top-four hopes alive with a 32-12 win over the Eels in wet conditions at CommBank Stadium.
The Rabbitohs led from the start with two early tries for a 12-0 lead, and held firm despite the Eels dominating possession for large stretches of the first half, with determined Rabbitohs defence repelling several Parramatta sets on their own line. The broadcast had a national reach of 1,395,000 and an average audience of 578,000.
ABC’s Restoration Australia continued to perform well with a national reach of 806,000 and an average audience of 479,000, while Channel 10’s Taskmaster Australia reached 674,000 with an average audience of 367,000.
