The Most Successful Australian TV Show, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the show you think is the most successful!

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:57

Television has long been a mirror to the cultural and societal values of a nation, acting not only as a form of entertainment but also as a reflector of its social narrative. In Australia, TV shows range from dramatic storytelling and humorous outlooks to informative documentaries, each carving its distinct mark in the hearts of viewers. Understanding which of these shows resonates most with the audience can provide insights into what people value and prefer in their viewing experiences. This evolving list represents the collective opinions of Australians from all walks of life, reflecting diverse tastes and preferences. As each person casts their vote, the ranking adjusts in real time, offering a transparent view of current favorites and all-time greats. Engaging with this dynamic list not only informs of popular trends but also empowers viewers to influence the standing of these shows, enhancing the connection between audience and content.

What Is the Most Successful Australian TV Show?

1

76
votes
Neighbours

Neighbours is the longest-running Australian TV show and one of the most successful soap operas in the world. It has been on air since 1985 and has a loyal fan following both in Australia and abroad. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its diverse representation and tackling of social issues.
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera that revolves around the residents of Ramsay Street, a residential cul-de-sac in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough. The show explores the daily lives of the families, friendships, and romances of the diverse group of people living in this tight-knit community.

Genre: Soap Opera

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

First Aired: March 18, 1985

Number of Seasons: 37
2

25
votes
MasterChef Australia

Franc Roddam

MasterChef Australia is a cooking competition show that has been hugely successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its innovative challenges, diverse contestants, and showcasing of Australian cuisine.
MasterChef Australia is a reality cooking competition show that showcases the culinary skills of amateur cooks from around Australia. The series follows a format similar to the international MasterChef franchise, where participants undertake various cooking challenges to impress a panel of judges and advance in the competition.

Year of First Episode: 2009

Total Seasons: 13

Number of Episodes: 800+

Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston (seasons 1-10) and later, Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong, and Andy Allen

Average Viewership: Over 1 million per episode
MasterChef Australia in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Australian TV show
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Australian TV series
3

11
votes
The Voice Australia

John de Mol

The Voice Australia is a singing competition show that has been highly successful in Australia and has produced many successful artists. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its format, which focuses on the contestants' voices rather than their appearance.
The Voice Australia is a popular singing competition TV show that airs in Australia. It follows the format of the international franchise 'The Voice' and features talented contestants who compete for the title of 'The Voice'. With its unique blind auditions, captivating battles, and intense live shows, the show has gained a significant following and has become a prominent platform for aspiring singers in Australia.

Genre: Reality TV

Format: Singing competition

Original Language: English

Original Network: Nine Network

First Aired: April 15, 2012
The Voice Australia in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Australian TV show
4

26
votes
Kath & Kim

Jane Turner and Gina Riley

Kath & Kim is a comedy show that has become a cultural icon in Australia. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its unique style of humor, which satirizes Australian culture and suburban life.
Kath & Kim is an Australian comedy television series that revolves around the dysfunctional relationship between a middle-aged suburban mother, Kath Day-Knight, and her selfish, spoiled daughter, Kim Craig. The series humorously depicts their comical everyday lives, highlighting their obsession with fashion, relationships, and their exaggerated sense of self-importance.

Genre: Comedy

Original release: 2002-2007

Total seasons: 4

Total episodes: 32

Setting: Suburban Melbourne
5

16
votes
Wentworth

Wentworth is a drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its strong female characters and tackling of social issues.
Wentworth is a critically acclaimed Australian television drama series that first aired in 2013. It is a reimagining of the iconic 1980s series 'Prisoner' and is set in the fictional women's prison, Wentworth Correctional Facility. The show follows the lives of the female inmates and the staff who work at the prison, exploring themes of power, survival, and redemption.

Genre: Drama

Release Year: 2013

Number of Seasons: 9

Number of Episodes: 105

Average Episode Runtime: 60 minutes
6

13
votes
Rake

Rake is a legal drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its witty writing, complex characters, and tackling of social issues.
Rake is an Australian comedy-drama television series that revolves around the chaotic life of Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive criminal defense barrister in Sydney. The show explores his personal and professional struggles as he navigates the legal system, tackles complex cases, and continuously finds himself in precarious situations.

Genre: Comedy-drama

Country of origin: Australia

Language: English

Number of seasons: 5

Number of episodes: 40
7

4
votes
Underbelly

Underbelly is a crime drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its gritty depiction of real-life crime stories.
Underbelly is an Australian television drama series that explores real-life crime stories. It focuses on various criminal syndicates that operated in Australia's major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Gold Coast. The series is known for its gritty and dark storytelling, showcasing the underworld and the characters involved in illicit activities.

Genre: Crime drama

Country: Australia

Language: English

Number of seasons: 6

Number of episodes: 68
8

2
votes
Love My Way

Love My Way is a drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its realistic portrayal of family life and tackling of social issues.
Love My Way is a critically acclaimed Australian TV show that premiered in 2004. It is a drama series that revolves around the lives of a group of friends living in Sydney, exploring themes of love, relationships, and the challenges of modern life. The show is known for its realistic portrayal of complex characters and the emotional depth of its storytelling.

Genre: Drama

Premiere Year: 2004

Setting: Sydney, Australia

Main Characters: Frankie Paige, Charlie Jackson, Tom Jackson

Number of Seasons: 3
9

9
votes
Offspring

Offspring is a drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and has won multiple awards. The show has been praised for its quirky characters, witty writing, and tackling of social issues.
Offspring is an Australian drama-comedy television series that follows the life of Nina Proudman, a talented obstetrician navigating her chaotic personal and professional life. The show explores love, family dynamics, and the ups and downs of modern relationships.

Genre: Drama-comedy

Country of origin: Australia

Language: English

Original network: Network Ten

Original release: 2010-2017
10

7
votes
Please Like Me

Josh Thomas

Please Like Me is a comedy-drama series that has been highly successful in Australia and internationally. The show has won multiple awards and has been praised for its honest portrayal of mental health issues, LGBTQ+ themes, and relationships.
Please Like Me is an Australian television series that explores themes of love, friendship, and mental health through the story of its protagonist, Josh. The show combines elements of drama and comedy to create a unique and heartfelt narrative.

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

Number of Seasons: 4

Number of Episodes: 32

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful Australian TV show. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or show is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2097 views
189 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each show once every 24 hours. The rank of each show is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful australian tv show

Australia has a rich history of producing some of the most successful TV shows that have captivated audiences around the world. From drama to comedy, reality shows to game shows, Australia has made its mark in the entertainment industry. Some of the most iconic and successful TV shows to come out of Australia include Home and Away, Neighbours, MasterChef Australia, and The Voice Australia. These shows have not only gained immense popularity in their home country but have also been successful internationally, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards. With its diverse and talented actors, writers, and producers, Australia continues to produce quality television that resonates with audiences both at home and abroad.