The only difference is in the ratings is BVOD. 7 needs to fix their 7+ platform as it is far behind 9NOW in terms of usability.
7+ worked completely fine for me during the Cricket season. It's not like it's going to magically make fans either. You may get some people moving over from Digital TV, but this is just moving viewers from one medium to another. My theory is the AFL's audience skews older as a percentage - as seen in most TV data. I don't think they know how to use Streaming BVOD or have much interest in learning.
Yeah I also watched the cricket on 7+ without any dramas.
Channel 7 does indeed skew older than 9. Look at the News 25 to 54 demos for last night - 25.8% for 7, 29.1% for 9. More over 55s watch 7 than 9.
Then compare last nights demos between games:
AFL's 25 to 54 demo = 34.6%
NRL's 25 to 54 demo = 37.6%
But it also gets bigger the younger you go
AFL's 16 to 39 demo = 15.6%
NRL's 16 to 39 demo = 21.6%
If you could get your hands on the 18 to 24 young adult and 12 to 17 teen figures, you'll see the gap gets wider the younger you get old.
Basically, the NRL now outrates the AFL in pretty much every demographic but even more the younger the viewer base is.
So nko11, you're right - 7 & AFL viewers skew older, hence lower BVOD take up.