Seven ends Sunrise v Today legal battle against Nine
Updated: Nine reportedly agrees not to claim Today as Australia's #1 breakfast show, as networks avoid court stoush.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News, Top Stories
Seven is not pursuing a lawsuit against Nine over Today‘s claim as the #1 breakfast show, ahead of the two networks heading to the Federal Court.
It’s understood Nine has agreed not to promote the show claiming to be Australia’s #1 breakfast show, or similar references referring to the nation.
A Nine spokesperson said, “We are pleased Seven has seen fit to drop the case against the Today show. We congratulate our Today show team on winning the most weeks across the five capital cities for 2016. We know they will power on for the rest of this year and into 2017.”
The case revolved around two key points, whether the 5 city OzTAM metro fairly represented using the word “Australia” and whether the number of weeks won or an annual average was an accurate measure of the year.
Seven has since set a release claiming Sunrise is Australia’s “Undisputed Number One” including Olympic weeks:
Meanwhile Lisa Wilkinson weighs in over more definitions that will raise eyebrows:
BREAKING: Channel 7 drops its court case & now concedes Today Show has won the official OZTAM breakfast show ratings for 2016. #casedropped
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) October 27, 2016
Michael Pell, Executive Producer, Sunrise said in a statement: “Sunrise is a show for all of Australia. We’re grateful to our loyal viewers, who have chosen to make us their most-watched for more than a decade. We’ll never take it for granted.”
Craig McPherson, Network Director, News and Public Affairs: “We’re pleased Nine has now admitted Sunrise is Australia’s Number 1 and most-watched breakfast show. The truth was always going to prevail over premature elation.”
Great news; @channel9 concedes @sunriseon7 is Australia's number 1 breakfast show. And settles case. Thanks for saving us court costs 😂
— Samantha Armytage (@sam_armytage) October 27, 2016
OK, with so many having their knickers in a twist, let's clarify: TODAY can't be beaten in 2016 b/fast weeks won across 5 cap cities. #OZTAM
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) October 27, 2016
14 Responses
What a bunch of children! Honestly, who cares?
Besides, I am already at work when these 3 hour old so-called live shows are broadcast. The really need to grow up and move on.
Will be a bit embarrassing for Seven next year if the ratings continue and they drop position. No Seven, you can’t bring forward Tokyo 2020.
I guess when your industry is in decline you tend to quible over the small stuff.
Im a sunrise viewer but this is just looks like a case of the sore loser. Imagine being the judge on this case having there time wasted to settle who has actually won the ratings battle.
According to the press release above, Sunrise are the #1 metro anyway, leading Today by ~2,000 viewers (incl Olympics)?
Who’s number one now?
I rather watch reruns of ‘I Love Lucy’ than breakfast TV. Both are so repetitive in their news delivery. Oh and don’t love that statements they use.. Breaking news overnight or we will watch this developing story.
I don’t care
I don’t know who won this d*** measuring contest but I’m willing to bet that the numbers were single digits like their IQs.
What a farce.
Isn’t it more like Seven “Settles” rather than Seven “Drops” the legal battle since Nine backed down on their promos?
Yes “Seven ends Sunrise v Today legal battle against Nine” sounds better.
Oh dear….all seems a bit childish to me… 🙁
It is indeed childish because tv is run by children nowadays!
This whole thing has been disgraceful. I hope everyone involved is utterly embarrassed.