In a staggering display of viewership, a whopping 3 million people tuned in to watch the thrilling State of Origin II on June 28, 2023. The gripping match between Queensland and the NSW Blues saw a resounding victory for Queensland with a final score of 32-6, lifting the viewership by an impressive 22%. Additionally, a combined 2.6 million viewers watched the pre-match and post-match coverage, showcasing the immense popularity of the event in the realm of Total TV ratings.
Another noteworthy program that garnered substantial attention was ABC’s Utopia, which once again cracked the 1 million mark in Total TV viewership. The show’s thought-provoking storyline revolving around the government’s stalled election promise of the NBA moving to independent status resonated with an audience lift of 63%.
In terms of other television highlights, 792,000 viewers tuned in to catch Day 1, Test 2 of The Ashes on Nine, where the excitement of the cricket match unfolded on screen. Meanwhile, Seven’s Home and Away attracted the attention of 944,000 viewers as the storyline intensified with Mercedes getting under Bree’s skin and Cash diving deep into work.
Overnight TV ratings on June 28 showcased the dominance of Nine, which secured a primary share of 30.3% and a network share of 37.9%. 7mate emerged as the winner among multi-channels with a share of 2.7%.
A Current Affair on Nine proved to be a highlight of the evening with a compelling interview of an individual who managed to crane a $3 million sports car into his $39 million penthouse apartment. The program also offered exclusive access to Operation Trinity, a Victorian Police task force cracking down on underaged criminals breaking into family homes and stealing cars. Following A Current Affair, 792,000 viewers were treated to the live coverage of Session One, Day One of Test Two, The Ashes from Lord’s, London.
In the realm of drama, Seven’s Home and Away captured the attention of 465,000 viewers as the fictitious band Lyrik ventured into the recording studio, Mercedes made her move, and Tane experienced an uncharacteristic change in behavior. This was followed by 343,000 viewers staying on to watch Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, featuring Graeme offering advice to Debbie, the owner of an agoraphobic Sprocker named Alfie. The night on Seven concluded with 231,000 viewers tuning in to Front Bar.
ABC’s 7.30 delved into important issues, exploring the Queensland Government’s pumped hydro scheme and shedding light on a Victorian town coping with the consequences of a fatal joyride. The program also featured an interview with the renowned actor, Idris Elba. Following 7.30, Utopia continued to captivate the audience with 590,000 viewers witnessing Jim’s heightened security measures in an attempt to influence tender outcomes for an international partnership. The night on ABC concluded with 532,000 viewers enjoying Gruen.
On 10, The Project engaged viewers with an interview of a devoted Taylor Swift superfan, who shared their excitement for the upcoming Aussie Eras tour. The program also featured singer and TV personality Kelly Clarkson discussing her new single, Red Flag Collector. MasterChef Australia followed, as the remaining six contestants were divided into three teams of two, tasked with creating dishes using ingredients from a local farm supplying produce to the renowned restaurant, O.MY. The episode garnered the attention of 460,000 viewers.
SBS held its ground with Costco: Is it really worth it? attracting 144,000 viewers who were intrigued by a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the membership-only retailer and an examination of the quality of its own-brand products.
Overall, the TV ratings on June 28 showcased the popularity of State of Origin II and ABC’s Utopia, while also highlighting the diverse range of programming that captivates Australian audiences. With impressive viewership numbers and compelling storylines, these shows continue to leave a lasting impact on Total TV ratings.
