SEVEN claims the crown, NINE takes the cities – who really won the news year?

AUSTRALIA LIFETSYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

SEVEN claims the crown, NINE takes the cities – who really won the news year?

Story By Kyle Laidlaw

Australia’s news landscape has shifted in 2025, with both Seven and Nine claiming victory — depending on where the measuring tape is placed.

Seven this morning declared itself Australia’s #1 news for the 20th year in a row, citing strong national performance and audience growth across broadcast, streaming and digital.

But Nine has countered with a key distinction: it won where it arguably matters most — the five major metro markets and the three biggest cities, where advertisers spend the biggest slice of their budget and news competition is fiercest.

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According to Seven, 7 News averaged 1.3 million viewers nationally across Total TV, growing 3% year-on-year and surging 70% on 7plus.

The network also boasts a reach of more than 7 million Australians per week, continued dominance in regional areas and a major expansion of its footprint following the Southern Cross regional TV deal.

Seven also points to strong gains in Melbourne (+10%), Adelaide (+4%), Perth (+4%) and Sydney (+2%), alongside ongoing streaming growth and a social following of 28 million across platforms.

But 9 News has momentum of its own and the metro wins to prove it. Nine confirms it has taken the year across the 5 City Metro, and secured the three largest markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

That includes Peter Overton leading in Sydney, Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort in Melbourne, and Melissa Downes with new co-anchor Joel Dry in Brisbane.

Impressive growth was also recorded in traditionally strong Seven markets, with 9 News Adelaide up 23.1% year-on-year and 9 News in Perth climbing 22.2%.

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A YEAR OF CHANGE BEHIND THE SCENES

This ratings battle lands amid a turbulent year for newsrooms across the country.

Cost-cutting measures swept through the industry, leading to restructuring, several high profile presenter departures and changes in bulletin formats.

Seven completed its regional expansion, rolled out new local updates and cemented its presence in every state and territory.

Meanwhile, Nine weathered staff reshuffles of its own but found fresh momentum particularly in Brisbane and Adelaide.

SO WHO WON?

It depends on the scoreboard:

MEASURERESULTNational Total TVSeven winsRegional AustraliaSeven wins5 City MetroNine winsSydney, Melbourne, BrisbaneNine winsSocial & Digital ReachSeven aheadYear-on-year growthNine rising fast

Both networks end 2025 with reasons to celebrate, Seven remains the national leader with deep regional roots, while Nine enters 2026 with renewed metro muscle and a stronger hand in the country’s biggest advertising markets.