AFL & NRL Footy TV Ratings - 2026

[WookieReturns]

They are still estimates though yes - so 1 person viewing equates to 3000 estimated viewers. Inferential statistics yes?

Yes its literally a survey. 12,000 homes are extrapolated out to the rest of the population.

[Beaussie]

Monday 1 June

Footy shows outside of the top 30.

Program Network Average Total TV

AFL

FOOTY CLASSIFIED -MON NINE 168,000

THE AGENDA SETTERS - ENCORE SEVEN 123,000
THE AGENDA SETTERS SEVEN 103,000


NRL

100% FOOTY Nine 176,000

THE AGENDA SETTERS: RUGBY LEAGUE - ENCORE SEVEN 64,000
THE AGENDA SETTERS: RUGBY LEAGUE SEVEN 31,000

[leeroy*NRL*]

Simple and easy to understand below >>>>>

Traditional & Connected TV (e.g., Nielsen, OzTAM, BARB)

Reach: Counts unique viewers who tune in for a minimum of 1 consecutive minute (or >15 seconds for broadcast video on demand / BVOD)

Average Viewership: The sum of all individuals watching each minute, divided by the total duration of the program.

Actually not quite. Average viewership is the total sum who watch for a minimum period of time, in this case 15 minutes.

ok 15 min's (that is actually a better estimate i guess)

[Terry]

For clarity below is the definitive reasoning behind TV ratings reach V average numbers. It is made by TV Blackbox boss and broadcast expert Rob McKnight. His last paragraph says it all:

The Industry Spin: McKnight points out that networks push "reach" figures for PR spin because it yields massive, inflated numbers. However, when it comes down to a definitive ratings win, true industry professionals and news outlets only recognize the average audience size.

Read the whole article folks. The argument is over!!



Australian television and media commentator Robert McKnight argues that a program’s success should be judged by its average audience rather than its reach. He strongly criticizes the industry’s shift toward promoting reach, stating that network executives use it to spin false narratives and that no legitimate claim to a ratings win is based on it.

In his Media McKnight commentary on TV Blackbox, McKnight specifically highlighted these key points: The Definitions:Average Audience represents the true, consistent number of viewers who watch a show from start to finish. It measures actual, engaged viewership.

Reach represents the cumulative, unique number of people who tune in for a much shorter, fractional period (e.g., watching just one minute of broadcast TV or 15 seconds of BVOD).

The Industry Spin: McKnight points out that networks push "reach" figures for PR spin because it yields massive, inflated numbers. However, when it comes down to a definitive ratings win, true industry professionals and news outlets only recognize the average audience size.

[Beaussie]

Another big Thursday night tv ratings win for the AFL, with Adelaide winning a close game against Geelong. The Thursday night trend of AFL games outrating the NRL continues following Manly defeating South Sydney last night. There was more AFL tv viewers in Sydney than NRL viewers in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth combined.


Thursday 4 June

SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,764,000 697,000 95,000

Sydney 32,000
Melbourne 237,000
Brisbane 23,000
Adelaide 120,000
Perth 67,000

5 city total 479,000


THURSDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,393,000 609,000 129,000

Sydney 208,000
Brisbane 128,000
Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth 28,000

5 city metro total 364,000

[Beaussie]

Yet another big Friday night win for the AFL in reach and average, with the Western Bulldogs winning a close game against the Hawthorn Hawks.

In the NRL, another blowout scoreline game saw the Sydney Roosters thrash the Canberra Raiders who could not score a single point. With the recent trend of AFL games easily out rating the NRL, do you think there may be an issue with the lopsided nature of rugby league games in 2026? Viewers appear to be switching off. It would be reasonable to think the same free to air decline trends are happening on Fox/Kayo for the NRL yeah?


Friday 5 June

SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,718,000 633,000 93,000

FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,231,000 524,000 111,000

[Terry]

Not a good look for the fumbling game. The combined total of two FTA games beaten by the Matilda's. Pathetic numbers.

[Beaussie]

Where ya been old mate Terry? Any comment on Thursday and Friday night AFL up against the NRL in the tv ratings?

Scroll up for a looksie

[Beaussie]

Saturday 6 June

Soccer friendly was shown on Channel 10 nationwide except Perth.

FOOTBALL: MATILDAS V MEXICO 10 881,000 335,000 34,000


Saturday night AFL featured West Coast vs Port Adelaide on Channel 7 in Perth and Adelaide. Gold Coast vs Brisbane in the QClash was shown on 7mate in Brisbane

SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 764,000 318,000 48,000


Sunday 7 June

SUNDAY FOOTY FEAST Seven 543,000 128,000 16,000

Sydney vs Carlton was broadcast on 7 in Melbourne and Adelaide, and 7mate in Sydney and Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

SEVEN’S AFL: SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL Seven 1,095,000 371,000 39,000

Essendon vs Carlton was shown on Sunday night in Melbourne and Adelaide on 7, and 7mate in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

SEVEN’S AFL: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,507,000 473,000 74,000


Cronulla vs St George/Illawarra featured in Sunday afternoon NRL.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON NRL LIVE Nine 1,213,000 480,000 93,000

[Terry]

The NRL is annihilating the AFL on the yearly averages for FTA. Someone call the fight off. Its a bloodbath!!!!!

[Beaussie]

Huge viewing numbers for The Big Freeze at the G, and the following game - Collingwood vs Melbourne on King’s Birthday.

Monday 8 June

AFL: THE BIG FREEZE @ THE G Seven 1,335,000 903,000 120,000

SEVEN’S AFL: MONDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL Seven 1,984,000 930,000 121,000

[Terry]

Huge viewing numbers for The Big Freeze at the G, and the following game - Collingwood vs Melbourne on King’s Birthday.

Monday 8 June

AFL: THE BIG FREEZE @ THE G Seven 1,335,000 903,000 120,000

SEVEN’S AFL: MONDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL Seven 1,984,000 930,000 121,000

Good numbers. As it should be in honour of Neale Daniher.

[leeroy*NRL*]

big numbers for the BIG FREEZE Game
got huge publicity this year i recan it was very noticeable nationwide

When adding FOX looking very good indeed..

[Beaussie]

Thursday 11 June

The Western Bulldogs struggled at Marvel Stadium against the Adelaide Crows.

SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,750,000 648,000 83,000

5 Cities Metro - 471,000

Sydney 29,000
Melbourne 247,000
Brisbane 23,000
Adelaide 114,000
Perth 58,000

Regionals 172,000


In the NRL, South Sydney thrashed the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium.

THURSDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,566,000 658,000 156,000

5 Cities Metro - 393,000

Sydney 198,000
Melbourne 7,000
Brisbane 168,000
Adelaide 9,000
Perth 11,000

Regionals 258,000


Wookie, please help me… what am I missing here? The averages for the 5 cities and regionals provided over at Media Spy don’t appear to add up to the total people reported averages? My maths at school was terrible, but even with a calculator, I’m confused by the following lol

AFL reported total people = 648,000, however metro 471,000 + regional 172,000 = 643,000

NRL reported total people = 658,000, however metro 393,000 + regional 258,000 = 651,000

[Terry]

Thursday 11 June

The Western Bulldogs struggled at Marvel Stadium against the Adelaide Crows.

SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,750,000 648,000 83,000

5 Cities Metro - 471,000

Sydney 29,000
Melbourne 247,000
Brisbane 23,000
Adelaide 114,000
Perth 58,000

Regionals 172,000


In the NRL, South Sydney thrashed the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium.

THURSDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,566,000 658,000 156,000

5 Cities Metro - 393,000

Sydney 198,000
Melbourne 7,000
Brisbane 168,000
Adelaide 9,000
Perth 11,000

Regionals 258,000


Wookie, please help me… what am I missing here? The averages for the 5 cities and regionals provided over at Media Spy don’t appear to add up to the total people reported averages? My maths at school was terrible, but even with a calculator, I’m confused by the following lol

AFL reported total people = 648,000, however metro 471,000 + regional 172,000 = 643,000

NRL reported total people = 658,000, however metro 393,000 + regional 258,000 = 651,000

I'd love to see our dear friend Sookie help us here beatup. I admire the bloke and what he has achieved. But bare in mind he ain't no expert beatup. His expertise is running backpacker joints. He knows no more about broadcasting or FTA ratings than Harry Whoeveror, Billy Bunting or you or me.

Having said that I hope 'ol Sooks returns to the fray here. You fumblers need him urgently. At least he put up a fight You current mob are hopeless.

Have a great day. And keep morale high.