ABC NYE Ratings Proves Australia Wants A 'Countdown' Comeback

If we needed any more proof Australia wants more live music on television, this is it. 

ABC came back from a disastrous 2016 broadcast to draw huge ratings for its NYE show on Sunday night, thanks largely to its Countdown special.

The concert featured artists such as Jimmy Barnes, Phil Jamieson, Stella Donelly, Casey Donovan and Marcia Hines performing hits from the Countdown era and also drew rave reviews on Twitter for the night's house band.

According to TV Tonight, the broadcast drew an average of 707,000 viewers, while the midnight fireworks was watched by 1.49 million, up from last year's 1,178,000 for the fireworks.

The broadcast has already been re-watched 46,000 times on ABC iview, and has garnered almost two million views for its live streams and video packages on social media.

read more:

• 'Countdown' Is Making A Comeback This NYE & Molly Meldrum Is In On It

• Aussie Rock Supergroup Call For Return Of Live Music To TV

"The ABC is thrilled to once again have hosted the iconic Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks," ABC's Director of Television, David Anderson, said.

"It truly is a night of celebration and family friendly entertainment that brings the nation together. Across Australia, wherever you were, the ABC brought the fireworks to you live across TV, iview, YouTube, Facebook."

The impressive ratings come after Jamieson said he would like "to see live bands be able to perform on television in this country on free-to-air" during his recent appearance on The Music Podcast​.

Stream the full episode below.