Australia’s FTA networks dominated local viewership last year, with sustained interest from viewers. FTA TV garnered an 83 percent share of the prime time metropolitan audience in 2013. When it comes to time spent watching TV, Australians watched more than three hours of live TV. Also, time-shifted viewing was popular in 2013, with Australians recording free-to-air shows to watch later. A report showed that 8.6 percent of viewers time-shifted programmes last year.

Freeview General Manager, Liz Ross said that FTA TV has once again remained the popular choice for the majority of Australians in 2013. Ross said that viewers are now more engaged with FTA TV than previously. Ross attributes this to the diversity and the amount of channels currently available to Australians, along with high quality content and the way Australians embrace local content.

She added that last year, every one of the top rating programmes was locally produced. In addition, Ross believes that the popularity of catch-up TV will grow, with one in four Australians with internet connection watching it.

According to Ross, she said that 2014 promises to be one of the most exciting years for FTA TV and for Australian viewers since the introduction of digital TV.