I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has stormed back onto Australian screens with its strongest launch audience in three years, delivering a dominant ratings result and record-breaking streaming numbers for Network 10.
Season 12 of the long-running reality franchise officially got underway on Sunday night, posting its biggest total audience since 2022 and cementing itself as the number one entertainment show of the night. According to 10, the premiere episode averaged 925,000 total national viewers, finishing first in its timeslot and underlining the show’s continued pulling power more than a decade into its local run.
Digital viewing proved to be a major strength for the launch, with the network reporting the biggest ever streaming audience for the program, up 33 per cent year-on-year. The national total BVOD audience was also up 47 per cent on the same night last year, reflecting a growing shift toward on-demand viewing for tentpole reality formats.
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Across linear broadcast and streaming platforms, 10 said the premiere reached 3.76 million Australians nationally, delivering what the network described as a strong multi-platform performance. Demographic results were equally robust, with the episode securing audience shares of 39.6 per cent in 25 to 54s and 38.3 per cent in 16 to 39s.
The ratings success coincided with the official arrival of the Season 12 cast, introduced by hosts Robert Irwin and Lady Julia Morris, who welcomed the celebrities into the jungle in their trademark style. The group was split into three teams for their first taste of jungle life, each facing a different challenge as they made their way into camp.
Among the first arrivals were Rachel Hunter, Barry Williams and digital creator Mia Fevola, who were tasked with repairing the Jungle Telecommunications Hub. Another group featuring Rebekah Elmaloglou, Luke Bateman, Nath Valvo and Deni Hines were given a flying start to their adventure, while Gary Sweet, Dyson Heppell and Concetta Caristo were led to believe they had an easy walk into camp before discovering otherwise.
The first ten celebrities to enter the jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia 2026, revealed during Sunday night’s premiere (image – 10)
One of the most talked-about cast members following the premiere was Mia Fevola, whose appearance marked a full-circle moment for her family. Her father, Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola, previously won the second season of the series in 2015, and spoke about the experience on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick after the launch episode aired.
“I did, I had to!
Mia, my eldest daughter, is in the cast of I’m A Celebrity.
She was like, ‘Dad, should I do it?’, and I’m like, ‘Bro, easy cash! Get in there and get it done.’
But she’s a bit petrified of certain bugs, but she made her debut last night!
It was really cute because they said, ‘A princess returns!’
Mia was only 15 [when Fev was in the jungle] and now she’s in it… Robert Irwin was 13 and now he’s hosting!”
Fevola also revealed that his daughter faced a major personal challenge almost immediately, competing in the first tucker trial of the season despite a long-standing fear of water stemming from a serious accident.
“She had a bad jet ski accident a couple of years ago.
She had an accident and was badly hurt, [and went to] hospital.
So, she doesn’t really like water now.
When she goes under water, she freaks out.
The first challenge she had to be dunked under water and swim, and put these wires together, and I was like, ‘Did you cry?’, and she said for the first five minutes she sat there crying the whole time.
I’ve done that stuff so I know it’s hard, but to sit there and watch your daughter cry and then do the challenge… I’m really proud of her.”
With three additional celebrities yet to enter the jungle and early ratings momentum firmly on its side, Network 10 will be hoping the strong launch translates into sustained audience growth across the season.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues Monday, Tuesday And Wednesday At 7.30pm, And Sunday At 7pm. Watch + Stream Free On 10.
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