The most popular shows on TVNZ in 2025 and local content’s big win on linear TV

New Zealand’s Best Homes with Phil Spencer, Love It or List It New Zealand and The Chase New Zealand all made TVNZ's top 10 broadcast shows list. Photos / TVNZ

New Zealand’s passion for property has been proven once again – this time in our TV viewing habits for 2025.

TVNZ has released its list of most-watched shows for the year on TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2 and Duke, and half of the top 10 have a focus on our homes.

The Nielsen data also shows audiences are increasingly using linear television to connect with factual content and local stories.

The network’s 2024 data painted a similar story, with eight of 10 of their top shows being locally made, increasing to nine of 10 in 2025.

TVNZ’s 1News at Six broadcast took out the top spot again in 2025, reaching 3.2 million viewers.

Rankings stalwart Hyundai Country Calendar, which has been running since 1966, came in at No 2, having retained a top three placing on the list since 2017.

Hyundai Country Calendar proves that sheep are still a top priority for Kiwis. Photo / TVNZ

Unlike the real estate market, property-based shows are booming, with five of the 10 spots on the list belonging to the genre.

Moving Houses moved up four spots to No 3, New Zealand’s Best Homes with Phil Spencer dropped down one spot to be the fourth most-watched show, Love It or List It New Zealand and Grand Designs New Zealand joined the list at No 5 and 6, while Find My Country House NZ came in to round out the top 10.

While it was a win for property, it was a loss for others, with the T20 Black Clash dropping from the list completely (it was previously the fourth most-watched show in 2024), and 2024 list makers Sunday and Fair Go being cut from the network.

TVNZ’s chief news and content officer Nadia Tolich reiterated the presence of local content in the top 10 and its importance.

“It’s especially rewarding to see how strongly our local shows connect with viewers across the motu.”

The 2025 data also proved the power of the coveted 6-8pm viewing window, with all of the shows in the top 10 being broadcast during this time period.

The value of this time slot was further demonstrated by The Chase New Zealand, hosted by Paul Henry, making the list with its 7.30pm broadcast, but the popular UK version, on a 5pm time, did not.

But Kiwi’s streaming data, also released by TVNZ today, told a different story about audience habits, with international content dominating the viewership on TVNZ+.

American cop drama The Rookie topped the list, with Australian animated children’s series Bluey coming in at No 3 with a massive 41,065,265 streams over the year, proving its continued popularity.

Bluey continues to be a hit with viewers.

War drama Rogue Heroes, thriller The Day of the Jackal and cult dating show Love Island UK also featured in the top 10.

The only local content to find spots in the top 10 streamed shows were 1News at Six and Hyundai Country Calendar. TVNZ also revealed Shortland Street – a staple of the New Zealand TV diet for 32 years – just missed out, coming in at 11th. This was the first year the show had been screened three days a week, rather than five.

Notably different from the broadcast list, not a single property show featured in the top 10 for TVNZ+ viewers.

Top 10* shows across TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, and Duke in 2025

1. 1News at Six

2. Hyundai Country Calendar**

3. Moving Houses

4. New Zealand’s Best Homes with Phil Spencer

5. Love It or List It New Zealand

6. Grand Designs New Zealand

7. Seven Sharp

8. The Chase New Zealand

9. Travel Guides

10. Find My Country House NZ

*Source: Nielsen TAM; consolidated to December 1, 2025; January 1, 2025-December 8, 2025; TVNZ 1*/2*/DUKE* only; AP05+; AUD 000s/RCH 000s/RCH%

**Made with the Support of NZ On Air

Top 10* shows on TVNZ+ in 2025

1. The Rookie

2. 1News at Six

3. Bluey

4. Rogue Heroes

5. Love Island (UK)

6. Hyundai Country Calendar**

7. Code of Silence

8. The Day of the Jackal

9. The Hunting Wives

10. Tulsa King

*Source: Internal Data; all activity; January 1, 2025-December 8, 2025; TVNZ+ only; AP13+; RCH 000s/STR 000s

**Made with the Support of NZ On Air