The return of live sport been a big audience winner for Foxtel, confirming NRL 2020 as the biggest ratings win season.
Numbers released by the group show live NRL audiences on Fox League up 18% compared Rounds 1 to 14 in the 2019 season.
The data merges data for Foxtel set-top boxes and streaming platforms Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go and Kayo.
The record-breaking season was driven by an increase in the average live audience for streaming platforms Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO and Kayo audiences, up more than 150%.
The numbers:
Fox League exclusive matches were up 19% across the Foxtel Group’s platforms.
The post-COVID season return saw Round 3 generate the biggest audience for an NRL round in Foxtel history, while the Round 6 clash between the Roosters and the Eels recorded the largest NRL audience of all-time with a cumulative average of 507,000.
“We’ve had some wonderful NRL seasons in recent times and just when a lot of people thought this year’s competition wouldn’t go ahead, WHAM, the season has the best ratings ever – the best of the best," says Fox Sports wxecutive director Steve Crawley said:
“Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo have led the way at League Central, and we are proud to partner them at Fox League. This Thursday night it’s the Eels and the Storm. How about that! This game just keeps giving.”
Martin Medcraf, Fox Sports sales and brand partnerships director, says the record ratings for Fox League reflect the increasing appetite among Australian audiences for sport.
"Since the return of the NRL in May, we’ve seen no let-up in fans’ excitement to have sports back on their screens," he says.
"With the codes attracting new followers, and footy proving itself as an important outlet in difficult times, the rise of multi-platform viewing is a watershed moment for sports broadcasting in Australia.”
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