AFL & NRL Footy TV Ratings - 2026

[WookieReturns]

Haha!! That's because you've got a very short memory beatup lolool. And a hopelessly biased one. The NRL leads FTA numbers pal. Fact. And slaughter's fumbling on Fox/Kayo. Cherry picking is easy for types like you and your dear mate sooks loloolololol!!!!

Go well beatup.

Average ratings arent everything, and dont tell the full story. But you arent interested in that anyway.

Seven pays more NOW for AFL rights, than Nine will pay under the new deal - in fact Nine will pay less under the new deal than Seven paid under their last deal. And thats before the NRL have to spend 10m a year at Nine. Despite Origins.Things arent always what they seem.

[Terry]

Haha!! That's because you've got a very short memory beatup lolool. And a hopelessly biased one. The NRL leads FTA numbers pal. Fact. And slaughter's fumbling on Fox/Kayo. Cherry picking is easy for types like you and your dear mate sooks loloolololol!!!!

Go well beatup.

Average ratings arent everything, and dont tell the full story. But you arent interested in that anyway.

Seven pays more NOW for AFL rights, than Nine will pay under the new deal - in fact Nine will pay less under the new deal than Seven paid under their last deal. And thats before the NRL have to spend 10m a year at Nine. Despite Origins.Things arent always what they seem.

"Averages ratings aren't everything and don't tell the full story" says our dear friend sooks. I wonder what Rob McKnight, co-owner of TV Blackbox, 30 year veteran of the Australian TV industry, producer, podcaster and renowned broadcast expert says????? Oh......here is what Rob says below!!!!

[/sAustralian media commentator Robert McKnight says that television networks use reach (total cumulative unique viewers) as PR spin to show massive, inflated numbers. However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size, which measures genuinely engaged, consistent viewers.ize]

So there ya have it folks. Reach is spin. Average is the indicator of true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by average!!!! Game. Set. Match. Average is King. Reach is spin.

Case Closed!!!!!!!!

[WookieReturns]

who the fuck was talking about reach? I dont believe in reach either, but average audience is not the only driver behind media rights.

Case most definitely not closed.

[Terry]

who the fuck was talking about reach?

I don't know sooks. But where you said, "Average ratings aren't everything" what did you mean pal?? Do you agree with TV industry expert Rob McKnight who said, " However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size".

And what did you mean when you said averages "...don't tell the full story...." ? Mr McKnight seems pretty definitive that average does in fact tell the fully story. If you say it doesn't what does tell the full story pal. Pray do tell.

[QueenslandISAFL]

Jesus, NRL ratings aren't even close. I actually don't recall such a prime time domination as i'm seeing now. 9 and Kayo would be feeling scammed right now

[Beaussie]

The number one program on tv last night was the AFL despite a blowout scoreline in Brisbane. Friday night NRL was a close game, but yet again was smashed head to head in the primetime tv ratings.


Friday 7 August

Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn Hawks

SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,937,000 655,000 99,000


Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury/Bankstown Bulldogs

FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,218,000 544,000 132,000

[QueenslandISAFL]

Don't forget all the people watching NRL in England and New Zealand. And the 2 million watching on Kayo. Those fucking idiots, i swear.

[Terry]

Don't forget all the people watching NRL in England and New Zealand. And the 2 million watching on Kayo. Those fucking idiots, i swear.

Exactly what are you on about pal??? You seem a little.......ummm..........confused. Slow down, take deep breaths and try to think clearly. Then get back to us with your .....ummm..........thoughts.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Haha!! That's because you've got a very short memory beatup lolool. And a hopelessly biased one. The NRL leads FTA numbers pal. Fact. And slaughter's fumbling on Fox/Kayo. Cherry picking is easy for types like you and your dear mate sooks loloolololol!!!!

Go well beatup.

Average ratings arent everything, and dont tell the full story. But you arent interested in that anyway.

Seven pays more NOW for AFL rights, than Nine will pay under the new deal - in fact Nine will pay less under the new deal than Seven paid under their last deal. And thats before the NRL have to spend 10m a year at Nine. Despite Origins.Things arent always what they seem.

7 Network pay more for AFL than 9 Network pay for the NRL because AFL is better value for a FTA Network
As it gets a million more adverts over a season..


30 Second Add break every goal

NRL are lucky to get 1minute in Adverts a half

[leeroy*NRL*]

Jesus, NRL ratings aren't even close. I actually don't recall such a prime time domination as i'm seeing now. 9 and Kayo would be feeling scammed right now

not even close

cherry picking 2 games over a round... while the NRL dominate the rest

[WookieReturns]

I don't know sooks. But where you said, "Average ratings aren't everything" what did you mean pal?? Do you agree with TV industry expert Rob McKnight who said, " However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size".

And what did you mean when you said averages "...don't tell the full story...." ? Mr McKnight seems pretty definitive that average does in fact tell the fully story. If you say it doesn't what does tell the full story pal. Pray do tell.

Why would I answer you? Youve repeatedly noted you have no respect for my thoughts. Kindly go fuck yourself.

[Terry]

I don't know sooks. But where you said, "Average ratings aren't everything" what did you mean pal?? Do you agree with TV industry expert Rob McKnight who said, " However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size".

And what did you mean when you said averages "...don't tell the full story...." ? Mr McKnight seems pretty definitive that average does in fact tell the fully story. If you say it doesn't what does tell the full story pal. Pray do tell.

Why would I answer you? Youve repeatedly noted you have no respect for my thoughts. Kindly go fuck yourself.

Wowsers!!! I think you need a little anger management sooks. Off the dial pal. And for the record I have repeatedly said that I respect your work greatly. It's when you lurch off into activism and bias that is the problem.

In any case I take it you don't want to challenge Rob McKnight. Which is probably a good call. He is the expert after all.

Have a great day sooks and go well pal.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Haha!! That's because you've got a very short memory beatup lolool. And a hopelessly biased one. The NRL leads FTA numbers pal. Fact. And slaughter's fumbling on Fox/Kayo. Cherry picking is easy for types like you and your dear mate sooks loloolololol!!!!

Go well beatup.

Average ratings arent everything, and dont tell the full story. But you arent interested in that anyway.

Seven pays more NOW for AFL rights, than Nine will pay under the new deal - in fact Nine will pay less under the new deal than Seven paid under their last deal. And thats before the NRL have to spend 10m a year at Nine. Despite Origins.Things arent always what they seem.

"Averages ratings aren't everything and don't tell the full story" says our dear friend sooks. I wonder what Rob McKnight, co-owner of TV Blackbox, 30 year veteran of the Australian TV industry, producer, podcaster and renowned broadcast expert says????? Oh......here is what Rob says below!!!!

[/sAustralian media commentator Robert McKnight says that television networks use reach (total cumulative unique viewers) as PR spin to show massive, inflated numbers. However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size, which measures genuinely engaged, consistent viewers.ize]

So there ya have it folks. Reach is spin. Average is the indicator of true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by average!!!! Game. Set. Match. Average is King. Reach is spin.


Case Closed!!!!!!!!

100% it is,

Reach was put out due to the decline of the FTA networks numbers declining for years, and REACH looking like bigger Numbers
for the advertisers...
I would say Channel 7 were the best at PUMPING out reach numbers, and Nine kinda jumped on board with Reach
But Channel 7 were the leaders..

[Terry]

Average ratings arent everything, and dont tell the full story. But you arent interested in that anyway.

Seven pays more NOW for AFL rights, than Nine will pay under the new deal - in fact Nine will pay less under the new deal than Seven paid under their last deal. And thats before the NRL have to spend 10m a year at Nine. Despite Origins.Things arent always what they seem.

"Averages ratings aren't everything and don't tell the full story" says our dear friend sooks. I wonder what Rob McKnight, co-owner of TV Blackbox, 30 year veteran of the Australian TV industry, producer, podcaster and renowned broadcast expert says????? Oh......here is what Rob says below!!!!

[/sAustralian media commentator Robert McKnight says that television networks use reach (total cumulative unique viewers) as PR spin to show massive, inflated numbers. However, true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by the average audience size, which measures genuinely engaged, consistent viewers.ize]

So there ya have it folks. Reach is spin. Average is the indicator of true industry success and actual ratings wins should only be judged by average!!!! Game. Set. Match. Average is King. Reach is spin.


Case Closed!!!!!!!!

100% it is,

Reach was put out due to the decline of the FTA networks numbers declining for years, and REACH looking like bigger Numbers
for the advertisers...
I would say Channel 7 were the best at PUMPING out reach numbers, and Nine kinda jumped on board with Reach
But Channel 7 were the leaders..

Correct. The real experts dismiss reach out of hand. AFL types and Ch7 embrace it for the obvious reasons - as Rob McKnight says - for PR spin to show massive inflated numbers. In short - its bullshit.

[WookieReturns]

His expert opinion seems to defer with Oztam and Seven. Oh And Nine who incidentally put this out in their marketing to brands.

Each week the NRL on Nine draws in a passionate audience of footy fans – 13.4 million Aussies have tuned in to the 2026 season to date, up +6.2% YoY, while the NRLW Premiership has already reached 4.1 million viewers, with BVOD viewership up +37% YoY.

Now, as the scramble for the top eight reaches its peak, all eyes turn to the Finals – four massive weeks of action, kicking off in September with Nine’s best-in-class coverage and leading innovation.

As home to the NRL Finals, Nine offers unmatched scale for brands. Last year’s Finals Series reached 10.2 million Aussies, up +33% YoY, and the average audience of NRL viewers surged by 167% during the Finals compared to the regular season./quote]