Network 10 has finished off 2025 with one of its youngest and fastest-rising audience surges in years — capped by the high-profile return of Big Brother, after its previous run on Channel 7, and exploded into the network’s biggest streaming series ever.

According to Paramount Australia, 10’s total reach rocketed to 24.7 million Australians, with streaming usage soaring 31% year-on-year, its highest digital performance on record. The broadcaster also tightened its grip on the 25 to 54 and 16 to 39 battlegrounds, where executives say 10 continues to attract audiences up to seven years younger than its rivals.

Mel Tracina hosts BIG BROTHER AUSTRALIA 2025 (image – 10)

The biggest headline of the year was the rebooted arrival of Big Brother on 10 — a major format shift that paid off instantly. The series reached 5.5 million viewers across its season, averaged 881,000 nationally (a staggering 125% lift on 2023), and delivered 449 million streaming minutes, eclipsing every digital title the network has launched. Its premiere drew 1.12 million, the strongest launch on 10 since I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024, firmly re-establishing the franchise after its time on Channel 7.

Reality was the engine of 10’s growth. MasterChef Australia: Back To Win reached 10.9 million viewers and secured its biggest-ever streaming audience at 135,000. Survivor: Australia V The World reached 5 million, while The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition lifted 7% year-on-year to reach 6.5 million. Gogglebox Australia delivered the most dramatic digital surge of all, jumping 214% to 109,000 streaming viewers.

The return of Big Brother propelled Network 10 to its strongest streaming performance on record, unlocking rapid growth across key younger demographics.

Comedy continued to punch above its weight, with Have You Been Paying Attention? again the #1 8.30pm show, reaching 9.3 million and averaging 972,000. Sam Pang Tonight, one of 10’s biggest launches since 2022, reached 7.9 million and dominated its timeslot across total people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s.

Sport drove some of the year’s sharpest lifts. The 2025 Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix surged 34% to average 1.06 million, its highest race audience since 2016, reaching 3.7 million across the event. The CommBank Matildas reached 2.73 million and spiked 138% on Paramount+, while the CommBank Socceroos reached 2.98 million and delivered their biggest-ever streaming numbers on 10 (up 39%).

In kids’ television, Nickelodeon — now under the Paramount umbrella — maintained its position as the #1 children’s commercial multichannel, rising 9% year-on-year.

News also posted gains. 10 News (5pm) rose 7% to average 338,000, while the network’s full news lineup reached 3.5 million Australians each week. Streaming for news content lifted 39%, its strongest result to date.

With 2026 now in sight, 10 is banking on a refreshed mix of returning favourites — including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, a revamped Millionaire Hot Seat with Rebecca Gibney, a new era of Australian Survivor hosted by David Genat, and the return of Gretel Killeen for The Traitors Australia — to keep the momentum rolling.

Tamara Simoneau, VP Content, Paramount Australia, said:

“We’ve capped off an incredible year of growth and streaming with our biggest reality show since 2023. Big Brother broke records, clocking up 10’s biggest ever streaming audiences and captivating hard-to-reach younger demos. It is safe to say that Big Brother returned home with a bang!

“10’s much-loved reality franchises saw unprecedented year-on-year total audience growth and record streaming audiences, with I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, MasterChef Australia, Australian Survivor, Survivor: Australia V The World, The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition and Gogglebox all achieving milestone results.

“Our strong comedies – Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Cheap Seats, Sam Pang Tonight and Taskmaster Australia – continued to outperform their competition and delivering the laughs week after week.

“Records were broken across some of 2025’s biggest sporting events. The 2025 Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix drew its largest television audience since 2016, while the CommBank Matildas, CommBank Socceroos, Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women achieved their biggest streaming audiences ever.”

Rod Prosser, Chief Sales Officer, Paramount Australia, said:

“2025 has been a standout year for 10’s slate, delivering exceptional performance with younger, commercially valuable audiences that advertisers are actively seeking, in a premium and safe environment

“Our market-leading brand integrations are seamlessly woven into our programming, creating authentic connections between brands and engaged audiences, from luxury comforts in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! camp and a stocked pantry in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, to bite-sized snacks in the Big Brother diary room and Isuzu UTEs driving the A-Leagues.

“What’s particularly exciting is how we’re evolving the commercial opportunities within this success. We’re pioneering new connected TV advertising products that leverage our streaming growth to deliver innovative and interactive ad experiences. These advanced ad formats, combined with our enhanced measurement capabilities, allow brands to engage audiences with precision and prove ROI like never before.

“The combination of compelling content, younger audience strength, sophisticated in-show integrations, and cutting-edge CTV ad solutions creates a powerful proposition. We’re not just delivering reach – we’re delivering the right audiences with commercial innovation that drives real results for our partners.”

Tamara Simoneau continued:

“2026 is the year of new eras, reinvigorated favourites and returning comfort shows, and we are so excited for Australia to come along for the ride.

“In January, we will be dropping another brilliant cast of celebrities into the South African jungle with our I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! hosts, Robert Irwin and Julia Morris. We’re excited to welcome Rebecca Gibney to the 10 family when our refreshed version of Millionaire Hot Seat hits screens in February.

“All eyes will be on 10 in March for some of the biggest sporting events of the year, including the CommBank Matildas kicking off the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 and hometown hero Oscar Piastri’s fight for the win at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2026.

“A new era of Australian Survivor will be hosted by David Genat, where players are hellbent on redemption. Later in the year, Gretel Killeen will triumphantly return to 10 to host the local version of the international smash hit, The Traitors Australia. A new crop of MasterChef Australia hopefuls will hit the kitchen as we search for the next superstar of food. And that’s just H1!”