Seven tops as Nine eyes third Ashes test SEVEN's talent show The X Factor topped the ratings on Wednesday night, pulling in just under 1.5 million metropolitan viewers - almost 50 per cent more than Big Brother. Nine's reality show pulled in 1.030 million viewers, making Big Brother the sixth-ranked program overall. News and current affairs took out slots two to five, with Nine News (1.289 million) edging ahead of Seven (1.235 million), according to preliminary OzTAM data. A Current Affair on Nine (1.143 million) was also slightly head of Today Tonight (1.143 million). Over on Ten, Australian drama Offspring pulled in 874,000 viewers, ranking it ninth, while Masterchef Australia pushed its way back over the 700,000 viewers mark. Seven won the night with a 25 per cent channel share, rising to 32.1 per cent when its multichannels were included. Nine was second with 19.1 per cent (25.1 per cent for the network) and Ten had 13.6 per cent and 19.6 per cent - just ahead of the ABC (12.8 per cent and 18.2 per cent). SBS's audience has slipped following the conclusion of the Tour de France (4.3 per cent and 5.0 per cent) Nine will be hoping the Australian cricket team - which will play the third Ashes test match against England at Old Trafford beginning tonight - will provide enough of a contest to continue giving its ratings a multichannel shot in the arm when it is broadcast on Go.