The final day of ratings for 2012 delivers exactly what was expected of it – a big win for sports fans. Nine News (1st – 1,309,000) step out ahead again thanks to a strong cricket lead in Third Test – Australia v South Africa (Session 3: 2nd – 1,025,000; Session 2: 3rd – 974,000). ABC1’s offerings perform well enough against the cricket but from 8:30pm Young James Herriot (9th – 644,000) leads and then movies pick up.

Timeslot winners (nationally):
6:00pm: Nine News – Ch9
6:30pm: Third Test – Australia v South Africa 3rd session – Ch9
7:30pm: Third Test – Australia v South Africa 3rd session – Ch9
8:30pm: Young James Herriot – ABC1
9:30pm: MOVIE: A Christmas Carol (2nd hour) – Ch7

Channel 9 won the night (26.3%), followed by Channel 7 (20.5%), ABC1 (15.1%) & Channel 10 (7.6%).