Bravo The Big Three’s Biggest Rival

SD reality channel Bravo continues to out-rate HD rivals like Sky Open and Whakaata Māori as the number one “challenger network” for 2024.

A challenger network is the industry name for the smaller channels trying to steal ratings share from TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2 and Three.

Over the past year Bravo has closed the gap with The Big Three to its narrowest margin yet.

But after eight years of progress, there’s no word on when or if it will join their HD ranks.

While Bravo content can be streamed in HD on ThreeNow and Hayu, HD broadcasts are limited to the newly launched Bravo Arvo block weekday afternoons on Three.

Here’s the media release:

Bravo rounds out 2024 as New Zealand’s leading challenger network 

Auckland, New Zealand -Thursday 19, December 2024: Bravo New Zealand, the ultimate free-to-air reality and true crime destination, is the number one challenger network for 2024, according to recent data from Nielsen. 

Bravo New Zealand is the free-to-air home of NBCUniversal’s broad portfolio of reality content, including some of the world’s most popular unscripted TV franchises and series from Bravo, E! and Peacock, as well as compelling true crime content from Oxygen. 

Embraced by New Zealand audiences since its launch in 2016, Bravo has claimed the title of number one challenger network for 2024 in peak and all day among all key demos including 25-54s, all people 5+, women 25-54 and 18-39, household shoppers with with kids, main shoppers, and Auckland 25-54s.

This is the closest ratings gap to broadcasters Three, TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2 since launch in peak 25-54 viewing. 

In a competitive market, Bravo is the only free to air channel showing growth year-on-year in 25-54s in peak and all day, with share being at its highest level since launch among individuals 5+ in peak and all day.

The channel’s peak share is up 12% year-on-year among 25-54s and 40% among household shoppers with with kids 0-14. 

 Top shows on Bravo this year have included Below Deck Mediterranean, 24 Hours In Emergency and 999 Emergency Callout.

On ThreeNow, top Bravo shows this year included the Below Deck franchise alongside fan-favourites Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 

 Bravo is gearing up for its biggest year ever on VOD in 2025 with more hours and a new Bravo-branded FAST channel entitled Below Deck Vault on ThreeNow, bringing Kiwi audiences curated episodes from the much-loved Below Deck franchise. 

Brand new series coming to Bravo next year include Paris Ge Nicole: The Encore and Denise Richards & The Wild Things – alongside fresh seasons from world-renowned fan-favourite franchises Below Deck and The Real Housewives. 

“In the context of the broader free-to-air television landscape, Bravo’s 2024 performance has been one of our best years to date and – as the only free-to-air network to deliver growth this year in key demo 25-54s – it demonstrates the strong appeal of our premium content in Aotearoa,” said Chris Taylor, MD, NBCUniversal International’s Networks and Direct-to-Consumer and Distribution, ANZ and Executive Chairman of Bravo New Zealand.

 “It’s going to be another big year on Bravo in 2025 with new and returning series coming to the channel.

“Additionally, Kiwis will have access to even more of their favourite Bravo shows with the launch of Bravo’s first ever BRAVO-branded FAST channel, Below Deck Vault, as well as the Bravo-branded blocks currently available on Three.”