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In the archive
Top programs

Top 25 documentary programs shown on television, 1998–2009

Five-city metro average: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
Sydney: 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

Programs listed here include overseas as well as Australian titles, where relevant. Australian programs highlighted and in bold.

Ratings for the top Australian documentaries on TV each year are listed in Archive: Australian content.

2009

Rank Title Network Total people
(‘000)		 Rating1
1 A Lion Called Christian 7 1,587 10.9
2 Border Security: Australia's Front Line 7 1,499 10.3
3 Miracle of the Hudson Plane Crash 7 1,490 10.2
4 Find My Family 7 1,488 10.2
5 Border Security: Australia's Front Line (Monday) 7 1,480 10.2
6 The Zoo 7 1,475 10.1
7 RSPCA Animal Rescue 7 1,433 9.8
8 Surf Patrol 7 1,415 9.7
9 Triple Zero Heroes 7 1,389 9.5
10 Last Chance Surgery 7 1,378 9.5
11 Unlikely Animal Friends 7 1,378 9.5
12 Air Ways 7 1,369 9.4
13 Border Security: Australia's Front Line (repeat) 7 1,359 9.3
14 Highway Patrol 7 1,353 9.3
15 The Michael Jackson Story 7 1,351 9.3
16 The Force: Behind The Line 7 1,346 9.2
17 Border Security: Australia's Front Line (Wednesday) (repeat) 7 1,285 8.8
18 Bondi Rescue 10 1,267 8.7
19 On Board Air Force One 7 1,261 8.7
20 Michael Jackson: The King of Pop 9 1,237 8.5
21 Border Patrol (Sunday) 7 1,233 8.4
22 Recruits 10 1,224 8.4
23 Inside Queen Mary 2 7 1,166 8.0
24 RSPCA Animal Rescue (repeat) 7 1,164 8.0
25 Battle at Kruger Park 7 1,160 8.0

Source: OzTAM; compiled by Screen Australia.

Notes:
All people, five-city metro average, 1 January to 31 December 2009, program average.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.
World's Strictest Parents has not been included as a documentary in the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Australian content compliance results for 2009 so it has not been included in this listing although it was included in Screen Australia's report Documentary production in Australia, 2010, published earlier.
1. Rating is equal to TARP (Target Audience Rating Point).

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2008

Rank Title Network Total people
(‘000)		 Rating1
1 Find My Family 7 1,803 12.7
2 The Zoo (Tuesday) 7 1,688 11.9
3 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line 7 1,610 11.3
4 The Force: Behind the Line 7 1,598 11.2
5 Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth 9 1,589 11.2
6 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line (repeat) 7 1,580 11.1
7 RSPCA Animal Rescue 7 1,578 11.1
8 RSPCA Animal Rescue (repeat) 7 1,561 11.0
9 Find My Family – Reunions 7 1,519 10.7
10 David Attenborough Tiger: Spy in the Jungle 9 1,477 10.4
11 The Force: Behind the Line (repeat) 7 1,469 10.3
12 David Attenborough’s Bear: A Spy in the Woods 9 1,402 9.9
13 Made in China 7 1,399 9.8
14 Bondi Rescue 10 1,390 9.8
15 David Attenborough’s Elephant: A Spy in the Herd 9 1,389 9.8
16 Bondi Rescue (repeat) 10 1,364 9.6
17 Surf Patrol 7 1,363 9.6
18 David Attenborough’s Lion:A Spy in the Den 9 1,335 9.4
19 David Attenborough’s Life in Cold Blood 9 1,291 9.1
20 Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth (Part 2) 9 1,280 9.0
21 Australia: Land of Parrots ABC1 1,264 8.9
22 Crash Investigation Unit 7 1,255 8.8
23 The Zoo 7 1,248 8.8
24 The Prime Minister is Missing ABC1 1,238 8.7
25 Medical Emergency 7 1,237 8.7

Source: OzTAM; compiled by Screen Australia.

Notes:
All people, five-city metro average, 1 January to 31 December 2008, program average.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.
ABC’s main channel was renamed ABC1 in February 2008.
1. Rating is equal to TARP (Target Audience Rating Point).

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2007

Rank Title Network Total people
(‘000)		 Rating1
1 The Force: Behind The Line (Monday) 7 1,845 13.1
2 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line 7 1,828 13.0
3 RSPCA Animal Rescue 7 1,709 12.2
4 Medical Emergency 7 1,695 12.1
5 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line (repeat) 7 1,558 11.1
6 Surf Patrol 7 1,454 10.3
7 RSPCA Animal Rescue (Wednesday) 7 1,396 9.9
8 RPA 9 1,372 9.8
9 Missing Persons Unit 9 1,298 9.2
10 Border Patrol NZ 7 1,258 8.9
11 Constructing Australia – The Bridge ABC 1,245 8.9
12 Medical Emergency (Wednesday) 7 1,242 8.8
13 Bondi Rescue (repeat) 10 1,226 8.7
14 RPA: Where Are They Now? 9 1,222 8.7
15 The Sounds of Aus ABC 1,221 8.7
16 The Return of the 707 7 1,210 8.6
17 The Worst Jobs in History ABC 1,159 8.2
18 Zoo Tales 7 1,156 8.2
19 Bondi Rescue 10 1,154 8.2
20 The Great Global Warming Swindle ABC 1,116 7.9
21 Diana’s Last Day 9 1,115 7.9
22 Wild Vets 7 1,110 7.9
23 Crime & Justice 9 1,095 7.8
24 Child in a Million 7 1,074 7.6
25 The Gift 9 1,066 7.6

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All people, five-city metro average, 1 January to 31 December 2007, program average.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.
1. Rating is equal to TARP (Target Audience Rating Point).

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2006

Rank Title Network Total people
(‘000)		 Rating1
1 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line 7 2,119 15.2
2 Who Killed Dr Bogle and Mrs Chandler? ABC 1,782 12.8
3 Border Security (Wednesday) 7 1,569 11.2
4 Planet Earth ABC 1,379 9.9
5 Missing Persons Unit 9 1,336 9.6
6 The Queen by Rolf ABC 1,286 9.2
7 Medical Emergency (Sunday) 7 1,181 8.5
8 RPA 9 1,165 8.3
9 The ABC of Our Lives : 50 Years of Television ABC 1,157 8.3
10 Bondi Rescue 10 1,064 7.6
11 Bears: Spy in the Woods ABC 1,105 7.9
12 The Worst Jobs in History ABC 1,104 7.9
13 The World Around Us – Survival in the Bush with Malcolm Douglas (Part 2) 7 1,055 7.6
14 Jamie Oliver: His Story 10 1,053 7.5
15 The Good, the Bad and the Ugg Boot ABC 1,023 7.3
16 Swarms 9 1,013 7.3
17 The Floating Brothel ABC 1,006 7.2
18 The World Around Us – Journey Through the Valley of the Kings 7 1,000 7.2
19 Life in the Undergrowth ABC 999 7.2
19= King Tut’s Curse 9 999 7.2
21 Dynasties ABC 998 7.1
22 Bondi Rescue (Monday) 10 993 7.1
23 Grumpy Old Women ABC 955 6.8
24 My Favourite Australian Story ABC 944 6.8
25 Life at 1 ABC 940 6.7

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All people, five-city metro average, 1 January to 31 December 2006, program average.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.
1. Rating is equal to TARP (Target Audience Rating Point).

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2005

Rank Title Network Total people
(‘000)		 Rating1
1 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line (Tuesday) 7 1,822 13.2
2 Mythbusters – Jaws Special 7 1,730 12.5
3 Graham Kennedy: The King of Television 9 1,605 11.6
4 RPA 9 1,531 11.1
5 The Queen’s Castle 9 1,530 11.1
6 Ed Sullivan’s Legends of Rock ’n’ Roll 7 1,390 10.1
7 The Real Da Vinci Code (Part 1) ABC 1,326 9.6
8 Krakatoa ABC 1,324 9.6
9 Grumpy Old Women at Christmas ABC 1,281 9.3
10 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line 7 1,236 8.9
11 Grumpy Old Women ABC 1,202 8.7
12 The Truth Behind the Moon Landings 9 1,199 8.7
13 Ireland: Sculpted Isle ABC 1,162 8.4
14 The World Around Us – The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World 7 1,158 8.4
15 Tornado Hunters 9 1,118 8.1
16 Battlefield Detectives ABC 1,081 7.8
17 Elephants: Spy in the Herd ABC 1,073 7.8
18 The World Around Us – Backyard Killers 7 1,068 7.7
19 Australian Story ABC 1,055 7.6
20 Grumpy Old Men ABC 1,054 7.6
21 Grumpy Old Men at Christmas ABC 1,047 7.6
22 The World Around Us – Australia’s Deadliest Destinations 7 7 1,037 7.5
23 The Real Da Vinci Code (Part 2) ABC 1,025 7.4
24 Outback House ABC 1,020 7.4
25 A State Of Mind ABC 1,017 7.4

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All people, five-city metro average, 1 January to 31 December 2005, program average.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.
1. Rating is equal to TARP (Target Audience Rating Point).

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2004

Rank Title Network Sydney Households
(‘000)		 Rating
1 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World – The Panama Canal ABC 312 20.7
2 Pompeii: The Last Day 9 289 19.2
3 Australian Story – Into The Forest (Part 1) ABC 274 18.2
4 Dynasties – Durack Dreaming (The Duracks) ABC 265 17.6
5 Himalaya with Michael Palin: North by Northwest ABC 256 17.0
6 Who Killed Alexander the Great? ABC 251 16.7
7 Wild Australasia – Island Arks ABC 250 16.6
7= The World Around Us – Heart of a Lioness 7 250 16.6
9 RPA (series) 9 242 16.1
10 Bermuda Triangle: Secrets Revealed 9 241 16.1
11 Living Famously: Lana Turner ABC 240 16.0
12 The Bridge on the River Kwai ABC 234 15.6
13 Leonardo Da Vinci: The Man who Wanted to Know Everything ABC 229 15.2
14 Britain’s Real Monarch ABC 224 14.9
14= From the Heart – The Kimberley ABC 224 14.9
16 Life on Air: David Attenborough’s 50 Years in Television ABC 223 14.8
17 Polar Bear Battlefield ABC 221 14.7
18 Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World (Part 1) ABC 219 14.6
19 Honey Badgers of the Kalahari ABC 213 14.2
19= Colosseum: Rome’s Arena of Death 9 213 14.2
21 Leonardo Da Vinci: Dangerous Liaisons ABC 210 14.0
22 Looking for Victoria (Part 1) ABC 209 13.9
23 The Truth of Troy ABC 207 13.8
24 Family Story – Taylor Made ABC 204 13.6
25 Colour of War: The Anzacs –The War That Never Ends 9 203 13.5

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney metro households, 1 January to 31 December 2004.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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2003

Rank Title Network Sydney
Households (‘000)		 Rating
1 Living with Michael Jackson 7 354 23.7
2 RPA (series) 9 289 19.4
3 The Bee Gees Story 9 278 18.6
4 Australian Story – The Trouble with Charlie ABC 274 18.4
5 Michael Jackson Take 2 9 252 16.9
6 The Life of Mammals – A Winning Design ABC 232 15.5
7 Diana: The Night She Died ABC 229 15.3
8 Dynasties – The Kidman Family ABC 228 15.3
9 The Dambusters ABC 227 15.2
10 Hollywood Inc – Shut it Down ABC 220 14.8
10= The Joanne Lees Story: Murder, Mystery and Me 7 220 14.8
12 Living Famously – Vivien Leigh ABC 219 14.7
13 Elephants: Spy in the Herd ABC 216 14.5
14 Edward and Mary: The Unknown Tudors (Part 1) ABC 212 14.2
15 Platypus: World's Strangest Animal ABC 210 14.1
16 Greatest Heroes in History – Nelson ABC 210 14.0
17 A Case for the Coroner (Part 1) ABC 202 13.5
18 Egypt Eternal: The Quest for Lost Tombs ABC 200 13.4
18= Show Some Emotion: The Female Voice ABC 200 13.4
18= The Price of Fame 7 200 13.4
21 Love is in the Air (Part 1) ABC 198 13.3
22 Plumpton High Babies – Nowhere Else to Go ABC 191 12.8
23 Family Foibles – Upstairs Downstairs ABC 190 12.7
24 Baby It’s You – In the Beginning ABC 186 12.5
24= Eat Like a King: Henry VIII ABC 186 12.5

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney metro households, 1 January to 31 December 2003.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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2002

Rank Title Network Sydney Households (‘000) Rating
1 How The Twin Towers Collapsed 7 324 22.4
2 RPA (series) 9 300 20.7
3 Australian Story – A Big Hand For Ruth ABC 278 19.2
4 Billy Connolly’s World Tour – Dublin ABC 265 18.3
5 In Memoriam: New York City 9/11 9 253 17.5
6 Queen and Country ABC 231 15.9
7 Six Wives of Henry the VIII ABC 228 15.8
8 Elizabeth (series) ABC 226 15.6
9 How The Twin Towers Collapsed II 7 224 15.5
10 Private Lives of the Pharaohs – Sex, Death and the Lotus ABC 212 14.6
11 9/11: The Firefighters’ Story 10 210 14.5
12 Masters of Style – Alexander McQueen ABC 209 14.5
13 Finest Hour ABC 209 14.4
13= Famous Faces – Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer ABC 209 14.4
15 Great Natural Wonders of the World ABC 208 14.4
15= The Great Egyptians (series) – The Rebel Pharaoh/The Queen Who Would Be King 7 208 14.4
17 Walk On By: The Story of Popular Song – Pure Pop ABC 206 14.2
18 Young Talent Time Tells All 10 204 14.1
19 Sahara – Dire Straits ABC 199 13.8
20 Arthur King of Britons ABC 199 13.7
21 The Battleships – Terror From Above ABC 198 13.7
22 The World Around Us – Haunt of the River Horse 7 188 13.0
23 Beyond The Movie – The Fellowship of the Ring ABC 187 12.9
24 Giant Creepy Crawlies 9 183 12.7
25 Rock Legends – Cat Stevens: A True Story ABC 181 12.5

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney households, 1 January to 31 December 2002.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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2001

Rank Title Network Sydney households (‘000) Rating
1 RPA (series) 9 352 24.8
2 Fabulous Women – Elizabeth Taylor: England’s Other Elizabeth ABC 267 18.8
3 The ABBA Story: The Winner Takes It All ABC 260 18.3
4 Conjoined Twins: The Living Miracle 9 257 18.1
5 Fabulous Women – Jackie Onassis: Behind the Myth ABC 253 17.8
6 Sandra Sully Presents: The Human Body (series) – Raging Teens (episode) 10 251 17.6
7 Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy ABC 246 17.3
8 The World Around Us – Toothed Titans 7 238 16.7
9 Australian Story – Shining Through: Shane Gould ABC 237 16.7
10 Grizzly ABC 237 16.6
11 The World Around Us – Trek around the Pilbara 7 235 16.5
12 Fabulous Women – Cher ABC 234 16.4
13 The World Around Us – Odzala: Islands in the Forest 7 228 16.1
14 The World Around Us – Nature of Aggression 7 227 16.0
15 The Colour of War: The British Story (series) – Darkest Hour (episode) 9 226 15.9
16 Sandra Sully Presents: The Ultimate Guide (series) – Sharks (episode) 10 225 15.8
17 Sandra Sully Presents: Wild Indonesia (series) – Underwater Wonderland (episode) 10 223 15.7
18 The Great Egyptians (series) – The Real Cleopatra (episode) 7 221 15.5
19 Sandra Sully Presents: Who’s Aping Who – Bringing up Baby 10 220 15.5
20 The World Around Us – Raising the Mammoth 7 217 15.2
21 The Crocodile Hunter (series) – A Handful of Elephants (episode) 10 215 15.1
22 The World Around Us – Shadow of the Shark: The Underwater Lives of Ron and Valerie (series) 7 214 15.1
23 The World Around Us – In the Bush with Malcolm Douglas and his Dog Boondie 7 212 14.9
24 The World Around Us – Chile: Riddle of the Atacama 7 209 14.7
24= Australian Story – Vanishing Point: The Barrow Creek Mystery ABC 209 14.7

Source: OzTAM; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney households, 1 January to 31 December 2001.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Ranked by rating. Programs with the same rating are ranked by unrounded total number of people viewing, if known.
Although not identified as such, the screening listed may be a repeat screening of the program. Repeats are indicated when known.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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2000

Rank Title Station Rating
1 RPA (series) 9 28.9
2 The Queen Mother: A Royal Century 9 22.1
3 Bronte's Story 9 21.8
4 Who Killed Sallie-Anne? 7 21.6
5 Airline (series) 9 21.1
6 Quentin: The World at My Wheels 10 19.7
6= Super Human (series) ABC 19.7
8 Glenn Ridge’s Outback (series) (repeat) 9 18.6
9 The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth ABC 18.1
10 The World Around Us – Ice Whales 7 18.0
11 The World Around Us – Adventures in Time 7 17.8
12 The World Around Us – Fire and Ice: The Many Moods of Thredbo (repeat) 7 17.6
13 The World Around Us – Creatures of the Black Lagoon 7 17.3
14 The World Around Us – Cycling Mongolia 7 17.0
15 Bear Crime: Caught in the Act ABC 16.8

Source: ACNielsen; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney households, 1 January to 31 December 2000.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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1999

Rank Title Station Rating
1 Walking with Dinosaurs (series) ABC 28.5
2 RPA (series) 9 28.2
3 Our Century (series) 9 23.8
4 Our Country (series) 9 23.2
5 The World Around Us – Ancient Graves: Voices of the Dead 7 21.4
6 Airline (series) 9 20.8
7 Doing Time (series) 9 20.2
8 Colour of War (series) 9 19.8
9 Learners (series) 7 19.3
10 Walking with Dinosaurs – The Making of ABC 19.0
10= The Planets (series) ABC 19.0
12 The World Around Us – Magic Harbour 7 18.8
13 Our World – The Call of Kakadu (repeat) 9 18.7
14 The World Around Us – Across the Roof of the World 7 18.6
15 Our World – Ben Dark’s Highways to the Top End – The Kimberley 9 18.5

Source: ACNielsen; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney households, 1 January to 31 December 1999.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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1998

Rank Title Station Rating
1 RPA (series) 9 29.0
2 Our World – Glenn Ridge – Time in the Kimberley 9 23.6
3 Our World – Nullarbor Adventure: A Breed of Their Own 9 21.9
4 Our World – Great Rail Journeys of Queensland 9 21.3
5 The World Around Us – Titanic: Anatomy of a Disaster 7 21.2
6 Our World – Africa: High and Wild (series) 9 20.5
7 The World Around Us – Savage Earth (series): Waves of Destruction (episode) 7 20.0
7= Our World – Deadly Australians (series): Urban (episode) (repeat) 9 20.0
9 The World Around Us – Antarctica Alive! 7 19.9
10 Our World – Dermott Brereton: My Ireland 9 19.4
11 Our World – World of Discovery – Lions, Africa’s King of the Beasts 9 19.3
11= Our World – Bali: The Ride of Our Lives 9 19.3
13 Our World – Great Australian Train Journeys (series) – The Ghan (episode) 9 19.2
14 The World Around Us – Savage Earth – Hell’s Crust 7 19.0
15 Our World – Australia’s Killer Creatures 9 18.8

Source: ACNielsen; compiled by the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

Notes:
All Sydney households, 1 January to 31 December 1998.
For series, rating is for the highest-rating episode, not an average across the series.
Any comparison of ratings data should take into account that different methodology was used to compile top-program lists before January 2005 and that a different audience measurement system applied before January 2001. See About the data for more information, including definitions of terms.

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