2026 TV and Streaming Ratings thread

[i0Nic]

Wow those afl pundits are coping hard. Cherry picking figures. Do they really think it’s only because the nrl grand final was on at night that we won? What about every final game last year where the nrl beat the afl on all of them regardless of time slot? what about how they had Brisbane vs Sydney the year before and 2025 nrl gf outrated that too?

It hurts their ego because they believe and have pushed the story that afl is far bigger nationally than the nrl, but the numbers don’t align to that imaginative story they concocted.

 

[Pippen94]

I think Gaga is a different singer

Gaga would play superbowl. AFL gets washed-ups

 

[Pippen94]

You can sense the fear

That bloke hosted a national sports show and pretended to be impartial for 20 years

 

[BuffaloRules]

It hurts their ego because they believe and have pushed the story that afl is far bigger nationally than the nrl, but the numbers don’t align to that imaginative story they concocted.

They don’t like it up em….i find the comments about the ratings this year more telling… they still aren’t seeing the shift …

 

[BuffaloRules]

No idea.

Just seems a much higher figure to me than the norm in Perth..trying to find an explanation

 

[i0Nic]

Yep they are in a denial phase that the nrl is just flat out-rating them in general not just the GF. Wait until the new media deal comes in and it’s bigger than the afl - it will be a hot topic in these afl pundit shows

 

[insert.pause]

Just seems a much higher figure to me than the norm in Perth..trying to find an explanation

I was surprised too.

 

[Wb1234]

That bloke hosted a national sports show and pretended to be impartial for 20 years

Wheatley ? Hardcore fumbler

Worst was when Eddie McGuire was channel nine ceo

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Just seems a much higher figure to me than the norm in Perth..trying to find an explanation

Both those teams are involved in the double-header next week in Perth. Seems like ticket holders might be getting in early to check out the teams involved. Maybe undecided`s deciding if they will go as well.
Shows that when Perth residents have their own team they`ll be very likely tracking when and where they play. Very promising.

 

[i0Nic]

Yep the Perth Bears presence in WA is going to drive interest in rugby league now that west Australians will have a stake in the game. We’re already seeing it happen with increased participation numbers this year. I believe it quickly surpass NRL interest in Victoria as a percentage of viewers / engagement.

As of recent times WA interest is only marginally in front of SA interest, but Perth bears will really raise the profile over there.

this will have an overall positive impact on ratings beyond just the Perth bears televised games. Once you add PNG it will again improve the perception of the game and drive further general interest yet again.

The game is really set to accelerate its lead on the afl over the coming years.

 

[Wb1234]

Yep the Perth Bears presence in WA is going to drive interest in rugby league now that west Australians will have a stake in the game. We’re already seeing it happen with increased participation numbers this year. I believe it quickly surpass NRL interest in Victoria as a percentage of viewers / engagement.

As of recent times WA interest is only marginally in front of SA interest, but Perth bears will really raise the profile over there.

this will have an overall positive impact on ratings beyond just the Perth bears televised games. Once you add PNG it will again improve the perception of the game and drive further general interest yet again.

The game is really set to accelerate its lead on the afl over the coming years.

Afl doesn’t care about the wce

Good opportunity for league to make inroads whilst the afl treats the eagles as a cash cow to fund the giants and suns experiments

 

[i0Nic]

Yep while afl continues to focus on the ‘northern’ markets and neglect WA and SA the nrl come and eat their lunch.

 

[storm1999]

afl continues to focus on the ‘northern’ markets and neglect WA and SA

This just isn't true. The SA and WA clubs have each been given an extra home game in recent years through the introduction of Gather Round and North Melbourne selling home matches to Perth and Bunbury.

 

[Wb1234]

This just isn't true. The SA and WA clubs have each been given an extra home game in recent years through the introduction of Gather Round and North Melbourne selling home matches to Perth and Bunbury.

Giants and suns get 37 / 38 million a year
Wce get half and have to pay a license fee to the wafl to pay for juniors

 

[The_Wookie]

@The_Wookie did you still use last weeks consolidated numbers or the overnights in your aggregated averages? The games didnt lose 300k viewers on consolidation, so they were obviously wrong.

Last time this happened they mixed up the match broadcast with the pre match, which is what i think has happened here. Ive noted that they are weird in my post re consolidated ratings.

There is always the possibility that the overnights were blown out - which has happened before on the odd occasion.

 

[The_Wookie]

Yep while afl continues to focus on the ‘northern’ markets and neglect WA and SA the nrl come and eat their lunch.

The NRL arent eating West Coasts or Fremantles lunch for that matter - if I was the Force though Id be a little concerned.

Its not so much neglect as its what the WAFC - who own the WA AFL clubs entirely - wanted with independence from the AFL. The WA clubs get an awesome stadium deal, and pay a dividend/royalty to their parent body. IN addition to the royalties, the WAFC is guaranteed 11m a year from the WAGov from football matches at Optus Stadium, and the AFL pays them 4m a year+ for development.

 

[The_Wookie]

Afl doesn’t care about the wce

The AFL doesnt particularly have to. Its got a massive membership - and huge revenue from it that indicates actual members and waiting list members. Its got the best stadium deal in the country, and over the years is easily one of the more profitable football clubs.

Good opportunity for league to make inroads whilst the afl treats the eagles as a cash cow to fund the giants and suns experiments

There isnt much money coming out of WA for the Suns and Giants. Thats mostly TV money and consolidated AFL revenues from sponsorship, attendance, afl membership and the like etc.

 

[i0Nic]

The NRL arent eating West Coasts or Fremantles lunch for that matter - if I was the Force though Id be a little concerned.

Its not so much neglect as its what the WAFC - who own the WA AFL clubs entirely - wanted with independence from the AFL. The WA clubs get an awesome stadium deal, and pay a dividend/royalty to their parent body. IN addition to the royalties, the WAFC is guaranteed 11m a year from the WAGov from football matches at Optus Stadium, and the AFL pays them 4m a year+ for development.

There is a general feeling in WA and SA that the afl are focused on either Victoria or the northern states by way of draft picks, expenditure and so forth. We see that afl has lost some popularity in WA with falling participation numbers and top flight professional players from WA in the afl. We also see afl trending down and NRL trending up in terms of google search trends.

there is a market opportunity, that the nrl are tapping into, to grow the game in WA. We already see league participation numbers well up this year in WA, from a small base sure.

While the afl spends money and attention hand after fist to grow the game in qld and nsw, they might be caught a bit flat footed in their heartland markets. I can see Perth bears and the nrl building a strong minority support base quite quickly in WA.

 

[The_Wookie]

There is a general feeling in WA and SA that the afl are focused on either Victoria

Thats been the case forever.

While the afl spends money and attention hand after fist to grow the game in qld and nsw, they might be caught a bit flat footed in their heartland markets. I can see Perth bears and the nrl building a strong minority support base quite quickly in WA.

WOuldnt suprise me in the slightest. Strong competition is good for everyone.
The AFL takes a backseat to the WAFC when it comes to footy in WA though.

 

[storm1999]

I can see Perth bears and the nrl building a strong minority support base quite quickly in WA.

Sure, but suggesting they will impact the West Coast Eagles is like dropping a goldfish into the ocean and thinking it will have an impact on a Great White Shark.