Channel Nine’s NRL audience slips as Fox Sports ups it game and viewing figures
THE new NRL TV broadcasting deal has delivered the spectacular outcome of an extra 2.3 million viewers from the first month of the premiership.
But it’s bad news for Channel Nine executives who have lost 13 per cent of their free-to-air audience to Fox Sports and its advertisement-free coverage.
While viewers are turning off Rabs and Gus, Fox Sports have not only picked up Channel Nine’s old viewers but lifted their own audience by an average of more than 20 per cent per game.
Channel Nine’s numbers have dropped from 9,888,971 to 8,622,242.
The number of people who watched NRL on television in the first four rounds improved from 13,968,541 to 16,266,878, an increase of 16 per cent compared to last season.
That’s 2,298,337 more viewers overall in the first month compared to last year.
Fox Sports ratings are up for their three simulcast games and five exclusive matches.
The Matty Johns Show and NRL 360 have also increased their audiences. Of the magazine shows, only Peter Sterling’s Show on Fox Sports and the Footy Show on Channel Nine have lost viewers.
The huge number of fans now watching on TV is another reason why clubs are struggling to get bums on seats at the venues and face huge challenges in the future.
It also highlights that the plan to build a new 65,000 seat stadium at Moore Park for club games is nothing but a gigantic waste of taxpayer’s money.
Channel Nine originally paid $925 million for the TV rights but dropped their investment to $650 million when Fox Sports got the right to show all eight games live.
Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany says he is delighted with the early figures.
“The first four rounds of the NRL produced plenty of drama and excitement but that doesn’t automatically translate into more TV viewers,” he said.
Fox Sports is making huge inroads into Nine's NRL audience.
“It comes from pouring every ounce of expertise, passion and love of the game we’ve been investing over the years to make NRL a sport that truly comes into its own in the living room and in pubs and clubs across Australia.
“We’ve shot out of the blocks this season, with more people watching our live coverage and shows than ever before. Why? Fans are loving the fresh approach of our younger commentary, the slick graphics that we are using to explain key moments of the game.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/64901c32d22a08e8baaa6ab92ffd6a3a
NZ Sky to come.
massive
