The reason for the early start was that Network 10 had programmed season three of the show to start in the third week of January.

Dave Hughes is part of 10’s plan to lock away the 9pm Monday timeslot for the whole year with just two comedy shows. Hughesy will run for 14 weeks until after Easter. He will then hand over the slot to Working Dog and their successful Monday franchise Have You Been Paying Attention? which will take 10 through until the end of the survey year.

“It’s great to go again and to keep busy,” Hughes told Mediaweek about his new season. The Melbourne-based comedian and TV and radio host was approached by Screentime EP Johnny Lowry initially to host the program. “I’ve known Johnny for a number of years now and he’s a great executive producer who lets me do my thing which is great. If I have an idea he lets me action it – if things go wrong it is my fault which is fair enough.”

Hughesy said they can record two episodes in a day. “I am absolutely shattered by the end of the day. The records are too long which is my fault. On the days that we record we probably have enough good material for four episodes.”

Hughesy said each record usually runs for two hours plus. “The team later edit it down and do a great job. I let them get on with it and I never know what will be on the show until I see it go to air. I watch it like a viewer and I am always impressed by how they edit together a tight program from what we record.”

Technically these new episodes of Hughesy, We Have a Problem are season four, said Hughes. Season one started with eight episodes to test the water before another batch of eight were commissioned. Season three saw 14 more episodes produced which were screened on Tuesdays and then Sundays at the start of 2019.

Fourteen episodes means Hughes needs a lot of guests. Most of them he knows well although there are some he gets to meet for the first time during the program. “We want them all to be an open book, willing to share their own inadequacies!”

One of the tricks to the show’s success: “We don’t rehearse at all. We just like spontaneity. To throw it all up in the air and see where it lands. It is all very loose – it goes off on tangents then we try and get it back to a place where there might be a few set jokes.

“This is the first time I have hosted my own show and I want everybody on it to be as funny as they can. When I am a panellist on a show I want to be the funniest, but when I am the host I want everyone to be the funniest. It’s important for me to help set it up for others and to share the laughs.”

Hughes admitted some of the guests perform better than others. “We all have had off days. A guest then might have a really good day on their next appearance. The idea is to keep talking because you never know when a beautiful moment will happen.”

Dave Hughes’ busy 2020 and beyond

Dave Hughes needs plenty going on. He works hard and doesn’t like to check his diary to find empty slots.

“I might do the Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival which is organised early in the year. [The Festival starts July 15 this year.]

“10 will be recording The Masked Singer earlier this year and will keep me busy mid-year.

“The radio and my stand-up comedy shows also keep me busy. My show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year is called Ridiculous.”

Hughes has spent the past few days on the NSW north coast testing out the new material in a Work in Progress show at the famous Brunswick Picture House while squeezing in a family holiday before he returns to Hit Network drive with Ed Kavalee. The radio colleagues are all in with 10 this year – Hughes has two shows and Kavalee is a surprise contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

While Hughesy and Ed host drive with new hours of 5-7pm, they are promising guest appearances from Kate Langbroek on the phone during another year in Italy.

Hughes has no doubt she will be back though and the two caught up earlier this month while Langbroek spent a few weeks back in Australia. “I think one more year will do her, and I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe she’s already had enough.”

Hughesy hasn’t ruled out the idea of time overseas with his family, something wife Holly Ife talks about. Ife has co-authored kids books with her husband, was a journalist and is now a teacher fulltime.

For an overseas stay, Hughes said: “I would personally choose a country that speaks English – maybe even a big city too like London or Los Angeles. Places where I could get up in the standup clubs and see what happens.”

The research has been released in conjunction with an ACMA discussion paper, Impartiality and commercial influence in broadcast news.

See more here.

The report noted as advertising revenues shift from media businesses to digital platforms, the need to access a shrinking revenue pool may reduce incentives for media companies to invest in public-interest journalism.

ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the ACMA is looking at how the commercial broadcast news industry had changed due to digital disruption and whether current regulatory arrangements are fit for purpose.

“There is ongoing debate about the credibility of news delivered online. But TV and radio remain an important source of news for the majority of Australians. If audiences have concerns about the credibility of news on TV and radio, then these need to be addressed by industry,” O’Loughlin said.

The ACMA said the research highlights a range of concerns from Australians about the impartiality of, and commercial influence in, news:

• 88 per cent are concerned news is made more dramatic or sensational to attract more readers or viewers.
• 85 per cent are concerned news is reported from a particular point of view rather than being balanced or impartial.
• 79 per cent were concerned that there was difficulty in telling when a journalist is expressing an opinion rather than reporting the facts.
• 77 per cent are concerned about commercial businesses paying to have their products or services featured in the news, but not disclosing the payment.
• 97 per cent reported noticing commercial influence in at least one news source.
• 58 per cent consider that there is now more commercial influence in Australian news today, compared with three years ago.

“As Australia’s broadcasting regulator, we want to make sure that current regulatory arrangements still do the job they were designed to do in the contemporary broadcasting news environment. For example, we are interested in whether the move from half-hour news bulletins towards hour-long hybrid news and current affairs programs has impacted the impartiality of news reporting,” O’Loughlin added.

“It’s also an opportunity to look at principles relating to impartiality and commercial influence that might usefully apply to the delivery of news on online platforms.”

The ACMA is seeking comments on the discussion paper from industry stakeholders and news audiences by Friday 28 February.

Just three years ago ARN thought it was done with Bailey and just three months ago Bailey thought she was done with radio.

But a series of creative and financial imperatives see the two radio giants reunited with one aim – restoring ratings consistency and ad revenue to the Brisbane station that is a JV between ARN and Nova Entertainment but managed by ARN.

ARN sacked Bailey in late 2016 after contract negotiations hit a wall over the amount of money she should be paid. Bailey was replaced by Bianca Dye who initially rated well. But revenue suffered and a string of six successive surveys under 10% in the ultra-competitive Brisbane market sealed the show’s fate in the first half of 2019.

After the break with ARN, Bailey found a home at Triple M Brisbane with Marto where they had success in the ratings.
However the illness of Bailey’s husband Sean Pickwell moved her to retire from radio last September to spend time with her family. Pickwell died just a week later, leaving Bailey to grieve and contemplate what next.

Meanwhile, ARN decided to end the Bianca Dye experiment late in 2019 just before the show recorded a strong ratings performance that came too late.

Although it looked certain Bailey and ARN would again partner for 2020, Bailey has said the contract was only signed this week.
She returns to the airwaves with her former on-air partners Terry Hansen and Bob Gallagher who helped her through the days following the suicide of her husband Tony Smart in 2014.

The new breakfast show won’t be back on air until Tuesday January 28, the day after the Australia Day holiday and a week after radio ratings start for 2020. The show will start each day at 5.30am.

In a statement, Robin Bailey said: “It’s wonderful to be back at 97.3FM, it’s where I’m meant to be. I’ve missed the connection, the conversations and our listeners. It’s a new year and a new time in my life and it feels so right to bring the old band back together with Tez and Bob.
“Our focus is to bring the best of ourselves and what we’ve learnt to a brand-new show, and I can’t wait.”

Terry Hansen said: “It’s a new decade for a new re-energised Tez, returning to radio right here on 97.3FM where I belong! I’m so excited and looking forward to knocking heads with Robin and taunting Bob, and sharing all the fresh new ideas and content we’ve been creating with our listeners.”

ARN’s national content director Duncan Campbell told Mediaweek in 2017: “Our preference was to re-sign Robin but, based on the information ARN was consistently given throughout the negotiation process, we were led into a position where we were unable to proceed with contract renewal.”

This time Campbell got his chance to re-sign Bailey. “I’m excited to have Robin returning to her natural home at 97.3FM,” said Campbell this week. “With Terry also returning, it’s a great coup to have had the opportunity to bring such a successful team back together again.”

Also returning to 97.3FM breakfast after three years at the ABC is executive producer Ruth De Glas who will lead the Robin, Terry & Bob show’s production team in 2020.

Tuesday special editions of the Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser and The Courier-Mail will raise more than $1 million for the bushfire recovery efforts. Wednesday’s edition of The Weekly Times will also publish a tribute edition to raise further funds for fire relief.

Sales and advertising proceeds from the special editions will go directly towards the relief efforts. Together with other contributions announced previously, News Corp and its leaders are providing more than $10 million towards the vital relief and rebuilding work.

News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller said: “Like all Australians, our hearts go out to the families, young and old, mums and dads, grandparents and children who have been affected – in some cases losing loved ones and homes.

“I’d like to thank the many businesses and partners who are supporting these special editions. The proceeds of their advertising will go towards the relief efforts.

“This money will be directed to where it is needed most – the long-term revival of impacted communities, benefitting local firefighters and provision of emergency services. News Corp will champion the recovery efforts of these communities.”

The special editions form part of a week-long series dedicated to recognising the selfless spirit ordinary Australians have displayed during the fire crisis.

Advertisers supporting the bushfire fundraising special edition (listed alphabetically) include; Adelaide Pressed Metal, Amaysim, AMP, Aussie Home Loans, Australia Post, Australian Bankers Association, Australian Football League, Bank of Queensland, Bank SA, BetEasy, Coles, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Distinctive Homes, Fairmont Homes, Foodland Supermarket SA, Foxtel, Grand Prix Mazda & Hyundai Caboolture, Greyhound Racing NSW, Harvey Norman, Heart Foundation, Helloworld, Hickinbotham Group, Hipages, Holiday Wonders, Homestar Finance, IGA, IPO Wealth, Kangaroo Island Sealink, Kayo, La Trobe Financial, Lifestyle SA, Longridge, Maurice Blackburn, Mezy Home Loans, National Australia Bank, Network Ten, NSW Minerals Council, Optus, Origin Energy, People’s Choice Credit Union, Phil Hoffmann Travel, Qantas, Rivergum Homes, SA Cricket, Sharpe ERS, St John Ambulance Australia SA, Statewide Superannuation Trust, Sterling Homes, Suncorp Group, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Tatts Group, Telstra, TPG, Travel Directors, Viking River Cruise, Westpac, Woolworths.

Girlfriend Editor Stacey Hicks said: “For three decades, Girlfriend Model Search has unearthed big-name talent such as Ruby Rose, Samantha Harris and Abbey Lee Kershaw– launching them into stardom. This year we’ve completely reimagined the format and we’re looking for someone who wants to use their voice to inspire, lead and campaign for causes they’re passionate about.”

TANNED CEO Christine Parkes said: “We are very proud to be partnering with the Girlfriend <Role> Model Search and helping to spread a positive message about self-empowerment and self-confidence. This is strongly aligned with our values at TANNED and our belief in equality, inclusion and, of course, the critical health message of safe sunless tanning.”

In 2020, entrants will be vying for the chance to be one of the top five finalists who will be flown to Sydney to attend a once-in-a-lifetime Masterclass hosted by top influencers and personalities including TANNED ambassadors, Natalie Roser and Kris Smith.

The winner will be awarded a 12-month contract with Chic Model Management and an all-expenses paid trip to New York to meet with world-renowned model agency NEXT Model Management. They will also feature in two fashion spreads for Girlfriend magazine and become Girlfriend’s guest vlogger or writer for the year.

For the first time, the selection process will be entirely digital kicking off with a national call-out for participants to enter. The winner will be revealed in a flip cover in Girlfriend’s Winter issue, on sale May 2.

A Comcast investor presentation has been held in the iconic Studio 8H of 30 Rock (NBC’s Rockefeller Plaza HQ), as NBCUniversal unveiled Peacock, a free premium ad-supported streaming service with subscription tiers offering more than 600 movies and 400 series, as well as live and on-demand content across news, sports, late night, and reality.

The new service will only be available within the United States.

Using a different strategic business model, the company announced a tiered offering that gives consumers broad access to Peacock across web, mobile and connected-TV devices:

Peacock Free: This free, ad-supported option will provide viewers with more than 7,500 hours of programming. Peacock Free includes next day access to current seasons of freshman broadcast series, complete classic series, popular movies, curated daily news and sports programming including the Olympics, Spanish-language content, select episodes of marquee Peacock originals and tent-pole series, as well as curated Peacock streaming genre channels such as “SNL Vault,” “Family Movie Night” and “Olympic Profiles.”

Peacock Premium: Bundled at no additional cost to 24 million Comcast and Cox cable subscribers, this ad-supported option will additionally include full season Peacock originals and tent-pole series, next day access to current seasons of returning broadcast series, early access to late night talk shows, and additional sports – such as the Premier League – totaling more than 15,000 hours of content. Also available for $4.99 per month on all popular connected mobile and web devices for non-bundled customers.

The company expects to bundle Peacock Premium with additional partners in the coming months.

Premium customers can upgrade to an ad-free experience for an additional $5.00 per month, or any customer can purchase the ad-free experience directly for $9.99 per month.

“This is a very exciting time for our company, as we chart the future of entertainment,” said Steve Burke, Chairman of NBCUniversal. “We have one of the most enviable collections of media brands and the strongest ad sales track record in the business. Capitalising on these key strengths, we are taking a unique approach to streaming that brings value to customers, advertisers and shareholders.”

Burke said there are more people watching video than ever, the numbers being driven by streaming. He said the challenge is to monetise the increasing on demand viewing.

Much NBCU-produced content has been available for on demand viewing on third party platforms in the US, it now wants to take control of that content for on demand viewing.

LAUNCH DATES & SUBSCRIBER TARGET:

Xfinity X1 and Flex US cable customers will have early bird access to Peacock Premium starting April 15. And beginning July 15, taking full advantage of the massive promotional opportunity of the Tokyo Olympics, Peacock Free and Peacock Premium will be available nationally on popular web, mobile and connected-TV devices. The company expects to reach 30-35 million active accounts by 2024.

NEW CONTENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Peacock announced a broad slate of new, high-profile TV and film acquisitions, as well as a programming strategy around late night, sports, kids, news, and more, including:

TV ACQUISITIONS:

Peacock will stream the ratings juggernaut brands from Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment, including “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “Chicago Med.”

Peacock will also stream Paramount Network hit series “Yellowstone,” the record-breaking drama, licensed from ViacomCBS. “Yellowstone” is co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, and is co-produced by David Glasser’s 101 Studios. Additionally, “Two and a Half Men,” and “The George Lopez Show” from Warner Brothers were announced.

As previously announced, Peacock will offer some of the most popular NBC and classic TV series of all time, including “30 Rock,” “Bates Motel,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Cheers,” “Chrisley Knows Best,” “Covert Affairs,” “Downton Abbey,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Frasier,” “Friday Night Lights,” “House,” “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “King of Queens,” “Married…With Children,” “Monk,” “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Parenthood,” “Psych,” “Royal Pains,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Superstore,” and “Will & Grace.”

PEACOCK ORIGINALS:

Peacock has signed a multi-year partnership with Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud network, which includes an equity investment in the company, a first look deal with LOL, and the distribution of LOL’s catalogue on the service. As part of the agreement, Laugh Out Loud will produce a Kevin Hart stand-up comedy special and an original interview series called “Hart to Heart,” and a series of short-form content exclusively for Peacock.

Additional newly announced Peacock originals include Tina Fey-produced original series “Girls5Eva,” about a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 90s that reunites to give their pop star dreams one more shot; international series from NBCUniversal International Studios, including drama thriller “The Capture,” fresh off its rating success on the BBC in the UK, and comedy “Lady Parts,” launching on Channel 4 in the UK, as well as three anticipated new comedies from Sky Studios: “Intelligence” starring David Schwimmer, “Code 404,” and “Hitmen”; a racing series from Dale Earnhardt Jr.; and a behind-the-scenes documentary series that follows USA Basketball superstars on their journey to Tokyo, produced in partnership with the NBA.

Noteworthy original series in development for Peacock include: “Expecting,” from Mindy Kaling, “Division One,” from Amy Poehler, “Clean Slate,” from Norman Lear and “MacGruber,” from Will Forte.

Previously announced Peacock scripted originals include comedies such as “Rutherford Falls,” “Saved by the Bell,” “A.P. Bio,” “Punky Brewster,” and the movie spinoff “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” as well as dramas “Dr. Death,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Brave New World,” “Angelyne,” and “Armas de Mujer.”

LATE NIGHT EARLY:

For the first time ever, customers will get exclusive early access to NBC’s late night shows. Starting in July on Peacock Premium, NBC’s late night talk shows will be streaming on Peacock beginning at 8pm ET with “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” followed by “Late Night with Seth Meyers” at 9 p.m. ET.

SPORTS:

OLYMPICS:

Peacock will give viewers a front-row seat for the most-watched event of 2020, the Tokyo Olympics. Peacock will feature live coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies before they air on NBC in primetime, and three daily Olympic shows including, “Tokyo Live,” with live coverage of one of the day’s most exciting events; “Tokyo Daily Digest,” with mid-day highlights of the Games; and “Tokyo Tonight,” a complement to the primetime show that will help audiences catch up on the day’s events. Peacock will also live stream more than 1,000 hours of exclusive coverage from the Tokyo Paralympics. And following Tokyo, in partnership with the US Paralympic Committee, Peacock will add the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, 24/7, 365, featuring live coverage and can’t-miss content as America’s best athletes prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympics and beyond.

PREMIER LEAGUE & RYDER CUP:

Beginning in August 2020, soccer fans will be treated to 2,000 hours of Premier League coverage, including more than 140 matches that aren’t available on television, as well as clips and replays of the most exciting moments from the pitch.

The Ryder Cup golf tournament will be coming to the service in September 2020 with featured groups of Europe’s and America’s best pairings.

FILM:

Peacock will have the exclusive streaming rights for the 2020 Universal film slate and beyond in the network window. Films will include some of the biggest live action feature films of all time, including “Fast & Furious 9” and “Jurassic World 3.”

This is in addition to the previously announced premium original films and animated series in development for Peacock from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, and hundreds of critically-acclaimed films and box-office hits including “American Pie,” “Bridesmaids,” “Knocked Up,” “Meet the Parents,” “Meet the Fockers,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Back to the Future,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “Casino,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Erin Brockovich,” “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” “Field of Dreams,” “Jaws,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Shrek,” “The Breakfast Club,” and franchises including “Bourne,” “Despicable Me,” and “Fast & Furious.”

NEWS:

Unique among the major streaming services, Peacock will be home to live breaking news coverage – just as all eyes turn to the 2020 presidential election. NBC News NOW, the newly launched streaming network, will bring Peacock viewers “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” as well as original video from “TODAY” and across the NBC News portfolio. The longest running show in television history will also be part of the newest streaming platform – with an original offering from “Meet the Press with Chuck Todd” on Peacock each weekday. In addition, NBC News will create signature, original documentaries for Peacock – delving deep into politics, biographies and history. Peacock will also be home to full episodes of “Dateline” – the true crime original.

America’s most-watched news brand will go global, with coverage of the biggest stories shaping the planet as NBC News unveils a new international news network in collaboration with Sky.

From Monday, January 20 until Sunday, February 2, the tournament’s best matches and biggest moments will be broadcast live and free on Nine and 9Gem.
 
And on Australia’s leading commercial free-to-air video-on-demand service, 9Now, viewers will be treated to every ball of every match on every court, ensuring Australians get the best tennis experience available, anytime, anywhere, on a device of their choosing.
 
The hosting lineup will feature James Bracey, Rebecca Maddern and Tony Jones, while over on 9Gem,  hosts will be Erin Molan, Seb Costello and Alicia Loxley.
 
With commentary from John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Dylan Alcott, Sam Groth, Casey Dellacqua and Tom Rehn.
 
Additional off-court reporting will be provided by Clint Stanaway, Lauren Phillips, Madeline Slattery and Danika Mason. And funny man Andy Lee will bring his unique take on the game in a series of one-on-one interviews with the champions of the sport.

The tournament will feature some of the world’s best tennis players in Rafael Nadal, Karolina Pliskova, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Roger Federer and Australia’s Ash Barty who will be playing at 7pm on Rod Laver Arena on night one.

 
The broadcast will utilise 360-degree, Matrix-style cameras: immersive video technology that positions cameras right around the court to simultaneously capture every angle. The resulting vision will give viewers a panorama-like experience of the world’s greatest tennis players in action.
 
New analysis technology will ensure that the commentators are able to scrutinise the game like never before, with every inch of play under the microscope.
 
For the very first time, Electronic Line Calling technology will be available on every single court, across the entire tournament.

Day one schedule Rod Laver Arena:

Day one schedule Margaret Court Arena:

Seven has just won week three on the new year, after winning week one and tying with Nine in week two.

In a release just before the start of the Australian Open on Nine. Seven pointed out:

• Seven Network is the Number One Network in primetime for total individuals and all key demographics (P25-54, P16-39, P18-49, Grocery Shoppers)
• Seven Network is the Number One Network in daytime for total individuals and all key demographics (P25-54, P16-39, P18-49, Grocery Shoppers)
• 7NEWS is Number One with its highest summer share in over 10 years and biggest ever summer margin over 9News
• Sunrise is Number One with its highest ever summer share and biggest ever summer margin over Today
• Seven’s Test Cricket up +13% year on year
• Seven’s Big Bash League Cricket continues to reach more Australians than any other summer sport

Seven director of programming Angus Ross said “We are delighted with Seven’s comprehensive victory for the summer to date, across the whole day and in all key demographics. We are looking forward to February when our leading platform of news and sport is joined by more bricks in the wall, including Rebel Wilson’s Pooch Perfect and MKR: The Rivals.”

Nine didn’t have many programming highlights, but it did have a good midweek audience and raised $4.8m for fire relief with its Rally For Relief with 527,000 watching.

While Seven is claiming summer leadership, Network 10 continues to have the #1 summer series with I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! The broadcaster’s decision to start it a week earlier this year sees the ratings up 17% YOY so far.

The five episodes screened last week were the most-watched non-news shows. Celebrity is also the #1 show on BVOD so far in 2020.

Singles

What is wrong with South America? It seems countries like Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay are some of the few places in the world where Tones and I’s Dance Monkey has not topped the charts. The song continues its remarkable ARIA chart run this week – 35 weeks on the chart and 24 at #1.

The most likely candidates to unseat Dance Monkey this week were perhaps Yummy from Justin Bieber which jumped from #8 to #4.

Roddy Ricch could still make a run for the top after The Box jumped from #18 to #7 in its second week on the chart.

There were five new arrivals in the top 50:

#15 Future with Life is Good featuring Drake
#23 Selena Gomez with Rare
#41 Halsey with You Should Be Sad
#43 Mac Miller with Good News
#44 No Money Enterprise with German

Albums

The chart journey of the third album from Selena Gomez has started at #1 while the title track debuted at #20 on the Singles Chart. Rare is the first #1 album for Gomez here after Stars Dance peaked at #8 in 2013 and Revival climbed to #3 in 2015.

Selena Gomez

The remainder of the chart debuts this week all belonged to three new live albums from prolific psychedelic rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. The band initially released two live albums to generate funds for bushfire relief and wildlife rescue. Both those $10 digital albums crash into the top 10 – Live in Adelaide ’19 arrived at #6 and Live in Paris ’19 at #9. A third album Live in Brussels ’19 was subsequently released and it too charted at #34.

Current an immanent tours are behind three other major chart moves this week:

Busy visitor Elton John sees his Diamonds collection jump from #8 to #4 after 84 weeks on the chart, taking it within just one place of its previous peak at #3.

Reformed Cold Chisel see their former #1 Blood Moon rebound again in its sixth week on the chart – up from #17 to #10.

Concerts, a festival appearance and showcase performance for Nova and the Hit Network have helped propel Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You from #30 to #19 after 26 weeks.

Seven won the night with its mix of news leadership and Big Bash League cricket. However Seven News only narrowly outrated Nine and the cricket numbers held up even though the second match of the day featured one of the biggest batting collapses of the summer.

After a promising start in the cricket, the Brisbane Heat lost all 10 wickets for just 36 runs. Luckily for Seven the collapse came in the second innings of the match.

Nine had what will be one of its last Sunday evenings of the year without a major franchise ahead of the Australian Open now underway and then Married At First Sight in two weeks.

10 took the key demos again with its second elimination on I’m A Celebrity with Nikki Osborne voted out. The channel is really testing the bounds of “celebrity” as Perez Hilton arrives tonight on the show.

A week ago the Sunday edition of Celebrity was on 781,000 and the two parts of the program last night did 720,000 and then 775,000.

The Sunday Project had a big audience with 434,000 watching.

After the News, ABC’s best was another episode of Maigret on 396,000.

Ancient Egypt was again the destination for the most SBS viewers, with 224,000 watching Decoding the Great Pyramid.