Netflix continues to grow in popularity in Australia, with 7.6 million Australians now watching the online streaming service, according to a new Roy Morgan Research survey. By comparison, Australians continue to switch-off from free-to-air television:
The growth of Netflix use over the past 18 months far exceeds its Australian Free-to-Air competitors. An estimated 7,558,000 Australians aged 14+ (37.7%) had Netflix in the three months to June 2017 – up from 4,453,000 (22.6%) in the March quarter 2016.
The growth in Netflix’s potential audience is the result of strong growth of household subscriptions to the SVOD in 2017 with 2,981,000 Australian homes (31.8%) now subscribed, up from 1,713,000 homes (18.6%) in the March quarter 2016 Roy Morgan Research shows.
In comparison viewership in an average seven days of market-leading Network 7 fell 2.3% to 64.4%. Network 9 was down 4.1% to 60.1% and Network 10 dropped 1.7% to 50.4%.
The results for the Government broadcasters were mixed with viewership of the ABC down 3.3% to 56.3% while viewership of SBS rose 0.7% to 43.2%.
Can’t say I’m surprised. Apart from the odd game of AFL, I can’t recall the last time I watch free-to-air TV.
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness.
Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.
