Editing Home and Away (section)

===Popularity and viewership===
The launch of ''Home and Away'' in 1988 was hoped to help boost the Seven Network's early evening ratings which had been underperforming in previous years.<ref name="TelevisionAu"/> However, the show struggled to attract high ratings, particularly when compared to rival soap opera ''[[Neighbours]]'', which was a huge ratings success at the time.<ref name="TelevisionAu"/> By the end of 1988, ''Home and Away''{{'}}s ratings had improved.<ref name="TelevisionAu"/> In January 1992, when ''Neighbours''' high-rating era was over, Seven moved ''Home and Away'' to the 7:00 pm timeslot, putting both shows up against each other.<ref name="TelevisionAu"/> This caused Network Ten to move ''Neighbours'' to the 6.30 pm timeslot two months later.<ref name="TelevisionAu"/> During the early 2000s, ''Home and Away'' was averaging 1.3&nbsp;million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/archwftvtopseries.aspx|title=Top 20 drama series and serials (including comedy) shown on television, 1998–2003|publisher=[[Screen Australia]]|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130214941/http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/archwftvtopseries.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2009 Ratings Report">{{cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/archmrrateseries.aspx|title=Top-rating Australian drama series and serials on television, 2004–2009|publisher=[[Screen Australia]]|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231429/http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/archmrrateseries.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2007, viewing figures rose to 1.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23056884-5003422,00.html |title=Kym at home in Ramsay St |last1=Downie |first1=Stephen |last2=Devlyn |first2=Darren |work=[[The Courier-Mail]] |date=15 January 2008 |access-date=11 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118103404/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C23739%2C23056884-5003422%2C00.html |archive-date=18 January 2008}}</ref> However, by the end of the decade, the ratings had dropped to an average of 1.1&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="2009 Ratings Report"/> During the early 2010s, viewing figures had further decreased to between 800,000 and 1&nbsp;million an episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/home-and-away-cleans-up-in-ratings-battle/story-e6frewz0-1226440720627|title=Home And Away cleans up in ratings battle|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2 August 2012|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/19/aca-trumps-home-and-away-ratings-race|title=ACA trumps Home And Away in ratings race|work=[[Australian Associated Press]]|date=19 February 2014|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=15 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715112150/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/19/aca-trumps-home-and-away-ratings-race|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, ''Home and Away'' was averaging 981,000 viewers, down from 1.039&nbsp;million in 2011 and 1.021&nbsp;million in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/11/29/glenn-dyers-tv-ratings-home-and-away-finishes-strong/|title=Glenn Dyer's TV ratings: Home and Away finishes strong|last=Dyer|first=Glenn|work=[[Crikey]]|date=29 November 2012|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713092856/http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/11/29/glenn-dyers-tv-ratings-home-and-away-finishes-strong/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, the show began going through a serious ratings decline.<ref name="Axed">{{cite news|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11477563|title=Home and Away could be axed|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=8 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713081742/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11477563|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Struggling">{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/tv/seven-network-stands-behind-struggling-home-and-away/ar-AAcHROn|title=Seven Network stands behind struggling 'Home And Away'|last=Cartwright|first=Darren|work=[[Australian Associated Press]]|date=9 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713082605/http://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/tv/seven-network-stands-behind-struggling-home-and-away/ar-AAcHROn|url-status=live}}</ref> A July 2015 report revealed that the ratings were down 14% compared to the first six months of 2014, which translates to about 140,000 fewer viewers per episode.<ref name="Axed"/><ref name="Struggling"/> On 6 July 2015, ''Home and Away'' ranked 16th in [[OzTAM]]'s overnight ratings with 750,000 viewers.<ref name="Axed"/> The following night, the show fell to an even lower figure of 701,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/07/tuesday-7-july-2015.html|title=Tuesday 7 July 2015|last=Knox|first=David|website=[[TV Tonight]]|date=8 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717103055/http://tvtonight.com.au/2015/07/tuesday-7-july-2015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A writer for the [[Australian Associated Press]] stated that one of the reasons for the ratings decline could be "the viewing habits of [[Gen Y]], which the show is aimed at, have changed dramatically in recent times thanks to the launch of streaming services, [[Netflix]], [[Stan (company)|Stan]] and [[Presto (streaming company)|Presto]]. The exact age demographic that ''Home and Away'' targets are the same people who do not subscribe to appointment viewing. They prefer to watch shows when they want and don't want to be dictated to by the commercial networks."<ref name="Axed"/> A Seven spokeswoman commented that ''Home and Away'' was still performing well on digital and social platforms and that the overnight ratings were not the only measure of the show's success.<ref name="Struggling"/>

In 2019, ''Home and Away'' returned at the later date of 18 February, after the summer series of cricket concluded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsfm.com.au/entertainment/entertainment-news/channel-7-has-finally-confirmed-when-home-away-will-return|title=Channel 7 has finally confirmed when Home & Away will return|date=6 February 2019|publisher=[[WSFM 101.7]]|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=23 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223131615/http://www.wsfm.com.au/entertainment/entertainment-news/channel-7-has-finally-confirmed-when-home-away-will-return|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pippa Doyle of [[96fm (Perth radio station)|96FM]] reported that declining ratings in 2018 and Seven's decision to push the show back had created doubt about its future on the network, and whether or not a timeslot change or a move to a multichannel was likely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.96fm.com.au/entertainment/home-and-away-time-slot-change-seven/|title=Bad news for Home & Away fans as Seven confirms change|last=Doyle|first=Pippa|date=16 January 2019|publisher=[[96fm (Perth radio station)|96FM]]|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000019/http://www.96fm.com.au/entertainment/home-and-away-time-slot-change-seven|url-status=dead}}</ref> The season returned to a series low of 620,000 viewers and ranked 13th for the night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/monday-18-february-2019.html|title=Monday 18 February 2019|last1=Knox|first1=David|date=19 February 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref> The following night, the viewing figure fell to 581,000 and the show ranked 10th for the night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/tuesday-19-february-2019.html|title=Tuesday 19 February 2019|last1=Knox|first1=David|date=20 February 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220063118/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/tuesday-19-february-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The first triple bill on 21 February pulled in 577,000 viewers and ranked 8th for the evening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/thursday-21-february-2019.html|title=Thursday 21 February 2019|last1=Knox|first1=David|date=22 February 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222062356/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/thursday-21-february-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ratings for the triple bill episodes continued to fall from 524,000 to 414,000 viewers,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 28 February 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-28-february-2019.html|date=1 March 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301034219/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-28-february-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 21 March 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-21-march-2019.html|date=22 March 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=22 March 2019|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322021505/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-21-march-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 28 March 2019, the triple bill pulled in a series low of 383,000 viewers and ranked 14th for the night.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 28 March 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-28-march-2019.html|date=29 March 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329043859/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/03/thursday-28-march-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> April 2019 saw a slight rise in the viewing figures; the first episode of the month drew in 740,000 viewers and ranked 9th for that night.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Monday 1 April 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/04/monday-1-april-2019.html|date=2 April 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402020719/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/04/monday-1-april-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The triple bill episodes continued to receive low ratings until the Thursday, 9 May episodes, which improved with 617,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 9 May 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-9-may-2019.html|date=10 May 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510034809/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-9-may-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week's triple bill saw a further rise with 627,000 viewers,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 16 May 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-16-may-2019.html|date=17 May 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517012822/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-16-may-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while the episodes broadcast on 30 May received 638,000 viewers and ranked at 7th place for the evening.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Thursday 30 May 2019|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-30-may-2019.html|date=31 May 2019|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=5 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607051611/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/05/thursday-30-may-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2020 season return saw a series low for a premiere with only 548,000 tuning in.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knox |first1=David |title=Monday 27 January 2020 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/01/monday-27-january-2020.html |website=TV Tonight |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=29 January 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128035800/https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/01/monday-27-january-2020.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The opening episode of the 2021 season saw a rating of 597,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knox |first1=David |title=Monday 1 February 2021 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/02/monday-1-february-2021.html |website=TV Tonight |date=6 February 2021 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202011949/https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/02/monday-1-february-2021.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2021 season has seen an increase in ratings with most episodes attracting over 600,000. June saw a rise in viewers when the month peaked at 650,000 for episode which aired on 22 June,<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Tuesday 22 June 2021| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/06/tuesday-22-june-2021.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=23 June 2021| access-date=11 July 2021| archive-date=22 June 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622232205/https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/06/tuesday-22-june-2021.html| url-status=live}}</ref> while in July, the show continued to receive steady ratings, and again saw a further rise in ratings with 657,000 viewers tuning in on 7 July.<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Tuesday 7 July 2021| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/07/wednesday-7-july-2021.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=8 July 2021| access-date=11 July 2021| archive-date=11 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711044341/https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/07/wednesday-7-july-2021.html/| url-status=live}}</ref> The 2021 Olympic return episode, which aired on 9 August 2021, attracted the highest rating in over two years, with 710,000 viewers,<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Monday 9 August 2021| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/08/monday-9-august-2021.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=10 August 2021| access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref> with an even higher increase of 733,000 viewers tuning in on 10 August.<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Tuesday 10 August 2021| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/08/tuesday-10-august-2021.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=11 August 2021| access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> On 31 March 2022, two episodes achieved new series lows of 382,000 and 364,000 viewers respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/04/thursday-31-march-2022.html|title=Thursday 31 March 2022|last=Knox|first=David|date=1 April 2022|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>

The 2023 season return was watched by an audience of 519,000 and was ranked 6th for the evening.<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Monday 9 January 2023| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/01/monday-9-january-2023.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=10 January 2023| access-date=1 April 2023| archive-date=10 January 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110022221/https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/01/monday-9-january-2023.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Episode 8000 (Home and Away)|8000th episode]], which aired on 27 March 2023, drew an audience of 512,000 and ranked 10th for that night.<ref>{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Monday 27 March 2023| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/03/monday-27-march-2023.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=28 January 2023| access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> The 2023 finale triple bill was coded by Seven into one figure which was an average of 395,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/11/home-away-wraps-season-wednesday-a-dud-for-10.html|title=Home & Away wraps season, Wednesday a dud for 10|last=Knox|first=David|date=30 November 2023|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=30 November 2023|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201050748/https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/11/home-away-wraps-season-wednesday-a-dud-for-10.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The opening episode of the 2024 season, which aired on 8 January, drew 411,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 8 January 2024| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/01/monday-8-january-2024.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=9 January 2024| access-date=17 May 2024| archive-date=17 May 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517200204/https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/01/monday-8-january-2024.html| url-status=live}}</ref> From 29 January 2024, the show's ratings began to rapidly increase; the episode airing that evening garnered an viewing figure of 804,000, while ratings rose to 902,000 on 6 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 6 May 2024| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/05/monday-6-may-2024.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=7 May 2024| access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Home & Away tops 900,000 viewers on Monday| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/05/home-away-tops-900000-viewers-on-monday.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=7 May 2024| access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref> The highest rated episodes of the season drew in an audience of 950,000, on 15 July 2024,<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 15 July 2024| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/07/monday-15-july-2024.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=16 July 2024| access-date=16 July 2024}}</ref> while the episode featuring the death of [[Felicity Newman]] (Jacqui Purvis), on 19 August 2024, garnered 953,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 19 August 2024| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/08/monday-19-august-2024.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=20 August 2024| access-date=21 August 2024| archive-date=20 August 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820054851/https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/08/monday-19-august-2024.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The 2024 season finale, which aired on 20 November 2024, attracted a high viewership of 792,000.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Home & Away finale caps off strong season| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/11/home-away-finale-caps-off-strong-season.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=21 November 2024| access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> 

The 2025 season return, airing 13 January 2025, garnered 881,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 13 January 2025| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/01/monday-13-january-2025.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=14 January 2025| access-date=22 January 2025| archive-date=17 January 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117071028/https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/01/monday-13-january-2025.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The episode airing 10 March 2025, drew in a viewing audience of 962,000, and ranked 7th place for the evening.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 10 March 2025| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/03/monday-10-march-2025.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=11 March 2025| access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> On 21 and 22 April 2025, saw extremely high ratings, attracting audiences of 966,000 and 988,000, respectively,<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Monday 21 April 2025| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/04/monday-21-april-2025.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=22 April 2025| access-date=22 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Tuesday 22 April 2025| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/04/tuesday-22-april-2025.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=23 April 2025| access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref> while the episode airings 29 April 2025, drew in 992,000 viewers, the highest of the 2025 season, so far.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Knox| first1=David| title=Tuesday 29 April 2025| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/04/tuesday-29-april-2025.html| website=[[TV Tonight]]| date=30 April 2025| access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref>