Sky News has reported on audience growth records and its highest ever half-yearly (H1) audience figures across key day parts and primetime.
In primetime (6pm-11pm), Sky News achieved a record average audience increase +29%, while share also lifted +42% year-on-year with a total reach of 2.7 million viewers.
Sky News set a new All Day (6am – Midnight) record for H1 with +16% average audience uplift and +29% share increase year-on-year, reaching 3.5 million viewers.
Sky News ranks the #1 non-sports channel and #3 channel overall on Foxtel.
Sky News’ audience growth is also reflected in its record-breaking online results, now delivering 20 million video views each month across its digital platforms.
Throughout the first half of 2019, more than 3 million users visited SkyNews.com.au. On Facebook alone, Sky News content achieved 50 million video views, an increase of 83% year on year.
The record audience growth follows new programming launches, record-breaking election coverage and, in a Sky News first, the premiere of two locally produced investigative documentaries Bad Blood/New Blood and Lawyer X: The Untold Story.
Sky News election night coverage (May 18) delivered the channel its top four rating programs for H1 reaching 737,000 unique viewers across the night, with the channel achieving a record audience daily overnight share of 6.35%.
Outside of election programming, the highly anticipated documentary Bad Blood/New Blood (25 and 26 June) held the number one and two program positions for the year to date. Bad Blood was the #1 non-sport program for the day on Foxtel at premiere, whilst New Blood was the #1 Foxtel program overall for the day. Parts one and two reached a combined 305,000 unique viewers.
The gripping true crime investigation Lawyer X: The Untold Story (22 and 23 July), was the number three and four ranked programs on Sky News for the year to date, outside of election programming. Both premieres were the #1 daily program on Foxtel, achieving a combined reach of 252,000 unique viewers.
In primetime across the first half of the year, Sky News held #1 timeslot positions on Foxtel as programs delivered double-digit percentage growth on average audience.
Credlin anchored by Peta Credlin (weeknights 6pm) increased viewership by +24% and reached 232,000 unique viewers a week.
The Bolt Report (weeknights 7pm) hosted by Andrew Bolt continues to set record ratings for the program up +26% year-on-year and reaching 256,000 weekly.
Kenny on Media hosted by Chris Kenny (Mondays 8pm) continues to build its audience following its launch earlier this year, up +7% and reaching 100,000 viewers weekly.
Jones & Credlin with Alan Jones and Peta Credlin (Tuesdays 8pm) also recorded double-digit percentage growth up +32% and attracted 137,000 unique viewers per week.
Richo anchored by Graham Richardson (Wednesdays 8pm) increased viewing by +19% and secured a weekly reach of 98,000.
Paul Murray Live (Sunday – Thursday 9pm), the #1 nightly program on Foxtel hosted by Paul Murray, is up +28% and reaches 283,000 Australians a week. Audiences watching PML Later (Sunday-Monday) have grown by +29%.
The Front Page anchored by Peter Gleeson (weeknights 11pm) is up +23% and reaches 148,000 unique viewers weekly.
Weekday morning and Sunday programming on Sky News has also set new records.
Outsiders (Sundays 9am) with Rowan Dean, Rita Panahi and James Morrow is up +20% and reaches 98,000 each week.
Sunday primetime (6pm – 11pm) is drawing its best average audiences up +91% year-on-year and highest share ever up +114%.
Kenny on Sunday anchored by Chris Kenny (Sundays 8pm) is up +27% and reaches 102,000 viewers per week.
The new weekday morning line-up First Edition with Laura Jayes and Peter Stefanovic (weekdays 5am-9am) launched on July 1 and has seen audience uplift of +17% and reaches 167,000 viewers a week.
AM Agenda with Kieran Gilbert and Annelise Nielsen (weekdays 9am) has lifted +9.5% year-on-year and reaches 108,000.
Speers (Mon-Thurs 4pm) led by David Speers increased by +16% and reaches 196,000 weekly viewers while Speers on Sunday is up +21%.
Channel: Source: OzTAM National STV Panel, 27.1.19-23.7.19 vs. 27.1.18-23.7.18, Total People, Sky News Live, Projections, Share, Reach, 0600-2359, 1800-2259, Consolidated up to 16.7.19
Weekly Reach: OzTAM National STV Panel, 27.1.18-21.7.18, Total People, Sky News Live, Weekly Reach, 0200-0159, Consolidated up to 16.7.19
Programmes: OzTAM National STV Panel, 27.1.19-23.7.19 vs. 27.1.18-23.7.18, Total People, Sky News Live, Projections, 0200-0159,
Consolidated up to 16.7.19. Programming new to 2019 compared to 2018 timeslot.
First Edition: OzTAM National STV Panel, Weeks 27-29 2019 vs. Weeks 23-26 2019, Total People, Sky News Live, Projections, 0500-0859, Consolidated up to 16.7.19
Video views: Omniture, Brightcove, Facebook Twitter, Jan-Jun 2019 vs Jan-Jun 2018.
Website users: Google Analytics, Jan-Jun 2019.