Is the decline of traditional television viewing finally bottoming out?

The industry has reached a structural floor, with total viewing volume stabilising at 15.7 billion weekly minutes. This 'new normal' is sustained by digital adoption, which now offsets linear declines to maintain a near-universal monthly reach of 87.2% of the population.

Are broadcasters successfully recapturing younger demographics through digital platforms?

Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD) has become the primary vehicle for youth engagement, with the 18-54 demographic accounting for 54.3% of all BVOD viewing. This shift is accelerating, evidenced by a 27% year-on-year increase in total BVOD viewing minutes.

How dominant are local broadcasters compared to global streaming giants in the home?

Broadcasters continue to lead the domestic market, capturing 62.1% of all in-home video minutes viewed. Despite the rise of global platforms, free-to-air content remains the cornerstone of Australian household consumption.

Does the shift to digital viewing imply a move away from the big screen?

Consumption remains firmly anchored to the living room, as 87.6% of all BVOD minutes are viewed on a household TV set. Digital growth represents a change in delivery infrastructure rather than a shift toward mobile or personal device hardware.

What is driving the rapid growth in digital viewing volumes?

Live streaming is the primary catalyst, recording a 38.5% increase in the most recent half-year period. This has pushed BVOD’s share of total free-to-air viewing to 16.2%, up from 12.0% in the previous year.

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The Empire Strikes Back - Free TV Industry’s Drive for Young Viewers

BVOD viewing surged 27% year-on-year in H2 2025, now accounting for 16.2% of total free-to-air viewing minutes.

David Kennedy · Venture Insights26 March 2026Period: H2 20258 min read

15.7 Billion→

Total weekly minutes of TV viewing in H2 2025

27.0%↑

Year-on-year growth in BVOD viewing minutes

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Abstract

This report examines the 2025 Australian Total TV landscape, focusing on the structural stabilisation of free-to-air viewing. It analyses consistent consumption volumes, the rapid growth of Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD) as a share of free TV, and the dominant competitive standing of broadcasters within the total video ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

Total TV viewing has reached a structural floor at 15.7 billion weekly minutes, indicating the end of extreme volatility.
BVOD is the primary growth driver, with live streaming on these platforms increasing by 38.5% in 2025.
Broadcasters maintain a dominant 62.1% share of all in-home video consumption despite competition from global SVOD services.

The Empire Strikes Back - Free TV Industry’s Drive for Young Viewers

Abstract

Key Takeaways

What's Inside

Summary of Industry Performance Metrics

Total Viewing and Consumption Volume

The Ascent of BVOD

Reach and Audience Accumulation Strategies

Economic and Policy Implications of Stabilisation

Frequently Asked Questions

Abstract

Key Takeaways

What's Inside

Summary of Industry Performance Metrics

Total Viewing and Consumption Volume

The Ascent of BVOD

Reach and Audience Accumulation Strategies

Economic and Policy Implications of Stabilisation

Frequently Asked Questions

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