Catch Up TV Record Numbers

BVOD ratings: 8.6m watching across 7plus, 9Now, 10 Play, ABC iView & SBS

If you ever doubted the audience penetration of Catch Up TV (or BVOD as it is known in the industry), then Roy Morgan Research's latest figures shows that 8.6 million Australians now watch Broadcast Video on Demand (BVOD) services which include ABC iView, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play.

According to Roy Morgan's latest release, they estimate all five leading FTA BVOD services have grown significantly during 2020 as Australians endured a nation-wide lockdown from late March until early June and Victorians experienced a second, longer, lockdown soon after.

8.6 million Australians (40.6%) now view at least one of the BVOD services in an average four weeks and ABC iView is the clear market leader with 5.13 million viewers, up a large 2.12 million (+70.7%) from a year ago.

SBS On Demand is in a clear second place and now viewed by 4.08 million Australians in an average four weeks representing an increase of 1.49 million (+57.6%) from a year ago.

The fastest growth over the last year has been for the traditional commercial broadcasters Seven, Nine and Ten which have all more than doubled their viewership. The leader of the three is the Seven Network’s 7plus which is now viewed by 2.68 million Australians, an increase of 1.5 million (+125.8%) from a year ago.

Lee Davis, Media Precinct's head of performance trading, says "Catch Up TV (BVOD) consumption in Australia has been on the rise for the past few years but growth has really accelerated off the back of the pandemic. The shift in viewing behaviour from linear TV to on-demand platforms throughout this period has been significant and there are clear signs that users are embracing change and aren't looking back."

If you want to know more about how advertising in Catch Up Television / BVOD can help your brand or company, call Richard Turner on +61 2 8081 2660 or email rturner@mediaprecinct.com.au.