2026 TV and Streaming Ratings thread

[storm1999]

We have multiple years of data where it was publicly available when the 7+ app was also active (2017 to 2024).

7+ didn’t have the rights to stream AFL in that period. Whenever a game was on the 7 or 7mate terrestrial broadcast, 7+ would show repeats of Border Security on that channel stream instead.

7+ only commenced streaming live AFL games starting with the 2024 Grand Final. Prior to that, Telstra held the FTA streaming rights.

 

[Frank Burge]

It's an indisputable fact that the difference between the two ratings results is BVOD. I'm offering an explanation as to why that may be the case. I don't work for the AFL or NRL and am a club member for teams in both leagues, so I'm an impartial observer.

That last line killed me. Surely you are taking the piss out of everyone being here

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

7+ hard to use while watching other programmes, experiencing shows freezing and restarting randomly

I think the problem might be what you`re watching rather than the service itself.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

storm1999's logic:

AFL fan 1: "This 7+ BVOD app sucks."

AFL fan 2: "Just watch it on free to air."

AFL fan 1: "NO! I'm going to protest it by not watching it at all!"

It`s priceless isn`t it, I won`t watch it if I can`t watch it on 7+... real fans.

Uncomfortable truth is, League`s historically higher viewing figures behind the Foxtel/Kayo paywall shows that League`s fans are prepared to pay to watch the sport they love.

 

[stratocaster]

7+ didn’t have the rights to stream AFL in that period. Whenever a game was on the 7 or 7mate terrestrial broadcast, 7+ would show repeats of Border Security on that channel stream instead.

7+ only commenced streaming live AFL games starting with the 2024 Grand Final. Prior to that, Telstra held the FTA streaming rights.

I think you've misinterpreted what I wrote. We know the combined viewing figures for NRL & AFL games on Free To Air, Streaming and Foxtel during that 2017 to 2024 period. Nothing was obfuscated. That data was publicly available so we know that typically NRL games outrate AFL games when you add everything together on average.

I'm happy to take your point about the 2024 AFL Grand Final, just look at the streaming numbers - 16.3% of viewers streamed the game on the 7 App.

Or are you going to claim those viewers switched to watching the AFL Grand Final on Foxtel too? Spoiler: it wasn't on Foxtel.

By comparison, the 2024 NRL grand final had a streaming percentage of 22.3%.

22.3% > 16.3%. It's as simple as that.

It's not because AFL fans rejected 7+ in 2024. It's because the NRL audience skews younger and are more comfortable with BVOD services.

By comparison, last night's AFL game had a 15.1% streamer percentage - which is practically the same as the 2024 GF. AFL usually hovers around that 14-16% mark.

In contrast, the NRL last night had 23.9% on BVOD. The NRL BVOD percentage is growing because its audience is getting younger.

Again - it's not a conspiracy. It's just that your average 80 year old Collingfumbles fan can barely use a TV remote, let alone figure out how to get on 7+.

 

[storm1999]

League`s historically higher viewing figures behind the Foxtel/Kayo paywall shows that League`s fans are prepared to pay to watch the sport they love.

Of course they are more prepared to pay, there is no other choice. However anyone in SA/WA/NSW/QLD can watch their local AFL teams on FTA every weekend (albeit with some games on delay on Saturdays). League fans have been conditioned to subscribe to pay TV ever since Murdoch hijacked the code with Super League.

 

[i0Nic]

Of course they are more prepared to pay, there is no other choice. However anyone in SA/WA/NSW/QLD can watch their local AFL teams on FTA every weekend (albeit with some games on delay on Saturdays). League fans have been conditioned to subscribe to pay TV ever since Murdoch hijacked the code with Super League.

So rugby league games get bigger FTA viewers than fumble, even bigger BVOD numbers than fumble, bigger again numbers on pay tv.

This has been proven historically and currently, and the gap is getting wider favouring NRL.

its the uncomfortable truth facing fans of the fumbling game, thats why we’re seeing an influx of afl trolls in here and nrl discussion by fumble pundits in the media

 

[storm1999]

By comparison, last night's AFL game had a 15.1% streamer percentage - which is practically the same as the 2024 GF. AFL usually hovers around that 14-16% mark.

In contrast, the NRL last night had 23.9% on BVOD. The NRL BVOD percentage is growing because its audience is getting younger.

I'm not actually disagreeing with you, these are good points. I just think 7 is way behind 9 in terms of promoting and improving its streaming service which is also a factor in the audience gap. This isn't just about NRL v AFL: MAFS has also seen a huge increase on the 9NOW streaming platform.

 

[i0Nic]

I'm not actually disagreeing with you, these are good points. I just think 7 is way behind 9 in terms of promoting and improving its streaming service which is also a factor in the audience gap. This isn't just about NRL v AFL: MAFS has also seen a huge increase on the 9NOW streaming platform.

That’s because MAFS skews younger as well.

We keep hearing excuses from fumble about why their numbers are lower than league. The obvious reality is that there’s simply just more interest by overall viewers and especially younger viewers in the NRL product than the AFL product.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

This isn't just about NRL v AFL: MAFS has also seen a huge increase on the 9NOW streaming platform.

Yes, exactly the 39 and younger demographic that watch that show, same demographic that`s tuning into League on this medium.

 

[stratocaster]

I'm not actually disagreeing with you, these are good points. I just think 7 is way behind 9 in terms of promoting and improving its streaming service which is also a factor in the audience gap. This isn't just about NRL v AFL: MAFS has also seen a huge increase on the 9NOW streaming platform.

Ask yourself who is watching MAFS. Is it your 80 year old grandfather or 20-30 year olds who watch junk reality TV?

Channel 9's programming skews younger than 7's. MAFS is just an example of that. It's not about the 9NOW app. They win those young demos even without BVOD.

Just look at 7 & 9 on Tuesday when MAFS last aired:

Channel 7 Idol - 25 to 54 demo 27.7% out of total audience -- with a 32.6% BVOD take up (Thu AFL BVOD: 23.4%)

Channel 9 MAFS - 25 to 54 demo 45.6% out of total audience -- with a 41% BVOD take up (Thu NRL BVODL: 36%)

Go even younger:

7 Idol - 16-39s - 10.8% of total audience - 40.4% BVOD take up. (Thu AFL BVOD: 33.6%)

9 MAFS - 16-39s - 23.1% of total audience - 50.7% BVOD take up. (Thu NRL BVOD: 39.7%)

The younger you go, the greater the BVOD take up. Hence why the NRL's BVOD percentage keeps growing - its audience is getting young.

If you really want some context about how bad Channel 7's 16-39 youth audience is, on Tuesday in that timeslot, Australian survivor pulled 94,000. Idol had 99,000. 10 almost beat 7 in that demographic.

To recap: Channel 9's audience is younger than Channel 7s. The greater the BVOD percentage, the younger your audience.

These are your examples - 2024 Grand Finals, MAFS. Keep comparing others, you'll find the same thing.

Edit: Also now that we've established that MAFS is a younger skewing show, compare last Tuesday's MAFs BVOD uptake with the 2025 NRL grand final.

MAFS is 32.1% BVOD.
2025 NRL GF 30.1% BVOD.

Basically a strong youthful audience.

If you really need to see it, look 7 & 9 News which skews to boomers - 12% & 16.7% respectfully.

 

[Barney Stubble]

I'm not congratulating or defending anybody. Just providing some context. I don't watch either code via FTA streaming but have found 7+ hard to use while watching other programmes, experiencing shows freezing and restarting randomly, whilst 9NOW offers a largely seamless experience.

but but but

 

[Barney Stubble]

storm1999's logic:

AFL fan 1: "This 7+ BVOD app sucks."

AFL fan 2: "Just watch it on free to air."

AFL fan 1: "NO! I'm going to protest it by not watching it at all!"

they're clueless

these Abe Simpsons aka fumblers
can't work out BVOD so , they turn the tele off ?

 

[Barney Stubble]

It's only recently that the Foxtel ratings have gone that way. We have multiple years of data where it was publicly available when the 7+ app was also active (2017 to 2024).

Or are you now going to claim that the 7+ app only became shit after the Foxtel ratings went dark? Which conspiracy is it today?

the NRL has given out plenty of numbers in 2026 ..
the NRL is killing it on both FTA & STV

the fumblers


not so much

 

[nswarrior]

This is the 1st year ever that League is so far ahead in Free to Air and the gap in pay TV is bigger than ever. And to top it off the gap is huge in younger demographics

There is no need to argue though - the proof will be in the new TV deal. $600m plus pa and we are ahead of AFL for the 1st time ever

 

[storm1999]

get beaten by the NRL like pretty much every fumbleball game does these days

I'm waiting for your apology. I guess League fans outside QLD aren't too enthused about a Broncos v Cowboys derby.

Rank Description Network Reach Average BVOD
1 SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,966,000 744,000 113,000
5 FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,375,000 679,000 155,000

 

[Barney Stubble]

I'm waiting for your apology. I guess League fans outside QLD aren't too enthused about a Broncos v Cowboys derby.

Rank Description Network Reach Average BVOD
1 SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,966,000 744,000 113,000
5 FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,375,000 679,000 155,000

ahhhhh
apology for what ?

the NRL won.... again ... when STV is included you halfwit
probs by over 50K

 

[storm1999]

the NRL won.... again ... when STV is included you halfwit

Without data to back it up you are just guessing.

 

[Barney Stubble]

Without data to back it up you are just guessing.

but but but

plenty of data dopey

 

[Wb1234]

fox it would be 95 percent nrl v 5 afl