AFL v NRL TV Ratings

[Beaussie]

What Australia watched, Friday June 8

Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth

1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,545,000 452,000 398,000 295,000 194,000 206,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,378,000 399,000 348,000 278,000 159,000 194,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,334,000 434,000 360,000 258,000 152,000 130,000
4 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,215,000 418,000 393,000 227,000 177,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC 1,166,000 362,000 337,000 203,000 119,000 145,000
9 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Ten 1,072,000 263,000 296,000 223,000 168,000 122,000
12 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 11: ESSENDON V WEST COAST Seven 929,000 32,000 459,000 10,000 172,000 256,000
22 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 612,000 418,000 194,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/20 ... other.html

Abundantly clear why Channel 7/10 paid what they did for the AFL broadcasting rights. A national audience of 929,000 for the AFL compared with just 612,000 for the NRL.

In addition, Better Homes and Gardens on Channel 7 matched the audience numbers for Channel 9's Friday Night Live NRL in Sydney and absolutely smashed the NRL coverage in Brisbane.

A real worry one would think when Better Homes and Gardens rates better than a live NRL game in Sydney and Brisbane. Oh and lets not forget the spectacular figures for Channel 10's Big Brother Friday Night Live in Brisbane. Channel 9's NRL coverage was last in the ratings amongst the commercial networks in Brisbane - being smashed by Better Homes and Gardens and Big Brother Friday Night Live.

[Willis 21]

You do realise you are comparing 4 cities to 2 don't you??

I note that you have picked a Friday night when no QLD team is playing as well ...It notmally averages close to 300,000, ,comfortably winning its time slot.

The Lions on the other hand get about 90,000 viewers, and when they are not on the AFL games in Brisbane average about 30,000

[Beaussie]

You do realise you are comparing 4 cities to 2 don't you??

But you're always saying NSW and QLD make up 50% of the Australia wide audience based on population figures. Can't have it both ways Willis.

I note that you have picked a Friday night when no QLD team is playing as well ...It notmally averages close to 300,000, ,comfortably winning its time slot.

So the Rugby League product is only popular with viewers in QLD when a QLD team is playing? Same with the AFL in the northern states I guess. BTW, do you have an answer as to why Better Homes and Gardens matched the numbers achieved for a live NRL broadcast (involving two Sydney teams) in Sydney?

Like I said though, it must be a huge concern for Channel 9 when a live NRL broadcast comes last out of the commercial networks in a so-called Rugby League heartland area like QLD and only matches the audience numbers of a lifestyle program in Sydney. Better Homes and Gardens and Big Brother Friday Night Live must have the executives at Channel 7 and 10 very happy today.

[Willis 21]

Its not really a concern because it will only happen a few times this year ( due to Origin and Byes) where a QLD team is not shown live into Brisbane on Fri night...

Also, I just watched a reply of last nights game.. it was terrible,low scoring game played in some of the worst conditions i have seen in a long time.. no wonder neutral Brisbane fans weren't too keen...

Also, don't forget to put the regionals in and we will see overall who had the most viewers for the respective games.. my money is on the NRL match... :D

Lets have a look at the Origin figures for Brisbane on Wed night and we will see if Channel 9 are still concerned about Rugby League in Brisbane...

[Willis 21]

Oh by the way Bea, what do you think of the Sydney and Brisbane figures for the Friday Night AFL??

Sydney - 32,000
Brisbane - 10,000

[Beaussie]

Oh by the way Bea, what do you think of the Sydney and Brisbane figures for the Friday Night AFL??

Sydney - 32,000
Brisbane - 10,000

Timeslot in Sydney and Brisbane was 11:30 PM finishing at approx 2:00 AM. Hardly a surprising result considering that fact you clearly overlooked.

[Beaussie]

Its not really a concern because it will only happen a few times this year ( due to Origin and Byes) where a QLD team is not shown live into Brisbane on Fri night...

So you agree, QLD viewing numbers are dismal when a QLD team is not involved.

Also, don't forget to put the regionals in and we will see overall who had the most viewers for the respective games.. my money is on the NRL match... :D

Regionals are never taken seriously by the networks, advertisers or anyone in the know because they are insignificant when you consider the huge overlaps in survey areas between OzTam and AC Neilsen who do the regional surveys. Take as an example the OzTam survey area for Brisbane or Sydney below. Takes in a hell of a lot of regional areas doesn't it.





It's funny how it's only Rugby League supporters who seem to always trot out the regionals line when it comes to TV ratings in the footy debate. Doubling up audience numbers is obviously the only way the NRL can get close to the figures achieved by the AFL.

Lets have a look at the Origin figures for Brisbane on Wed night and we will see if Channel 9 are still concerned about Rugby League in Brisbane...

State of Origin only happens 3 times a year. Fact remains, Channel 9 have not won a Friday night in the ratings this year since losing the AFL. This of course despite the double header NRL games with one broadcast live. Better Home and Gardens and Big Brother Friday Night Live are more than a match - as was shown on Friday night.

[Willis 21]

More than 2 million people who live in Regional NSW and QLD and are not included under OZtam.. they include several areas where NRL has teams ... Newcastle, Canberra, Illawarra, North Qld...

This represents a quarter of the NRL teams ( and following on from that the fans). This would be the same as the AFL in terms of populations and teams not incluing Adelaide and Perth in their totals...

To say that these areas are any less relevant than people who live in capital cities is an incredible statement for you to make, which is not based on any logic, other than you trying to score a few cheap points here...

The double up your refer to would be miniscule in terms of the overall populations concerned,and I'm still to see any real proof that they effect the ratings count anyway.

As to you saying that advertisers don't care about regionals, then have a look at what Kurt Angle had to say on LU about it..

Please feel free to refute what he is saying..

Actually halfwit they care a great deal about regionals.

Metropolitan areas have a great deal of advertising competition. In a high denisity population environment, you can advertise very effectively by mail drop, door-to-door, radio broadcasts, local phone calls.

In a high density population environment you can make this very cost effective.

In a low density environment, it's much less cost effective, and companies rely much more on electronic means to advertise.

Regionals may not matter in AFL states, where it is clear South Australia _IS_ Adelaide and Western Australia _IS_ Perth, but in the more advanced states, large numbers exists outside the capital cities..... over million people in fact...over 30% more than Perth and Adelaide combined.

And these regional people need to buy cars, and petrol, and food.. and....

[Willis 21]

Here are some more comments from someone that knows a hell of a lot about regional advertising then you do...

There was an interesting article that appeared in the Media Section of the Australian last Thursday. It was titled "Booming bush sucks in Advertising."

The article quoted heavily from a survey from a research firm by the name of Foreseechange (http://www.foreseechange.com/). This firm quoted heavily from some ABS data about the relative wealth & income status.

It found among other things:

1)metropolitan consumers had discretionary spending of $179 (a week)whereas regional Australians had $178 to spend; the trend was that city folks were having this class of spending decline while the bush was increasing slightly;

2) This is a greater proportion of people in the bush in the higher discretionary spending category;

3) Advertising revenue for the bush FTA TV stations is seeing a healthily growth while the city counterparts are falling. While the metrop areas still have the highest advertising revenue (Using Queensland as an example Brisbane figure was $1.48 million (I assume it mean each day) to the regionals $.402 million).

4) The premium on city FTA TV is driving advertisers to the regionals:

5) Population growth in Queensland & NSW regional centres in the last five years has been 12% & 8%.

Because of this the research firm seems to think that local retail advertising growth has a stronger relationship with consumers than a large national advertiser which would plan nationally for the whole of the country.


This conclusion struck a chord with me because I remember arguing with some AFL types who suggested that the high price for the AFL rights was justified because it had good coverage & ratings in all capital cities (It hasn't but just ignore that for a moment). They maintain that the regionals didn't matter because the advertising dollar was not important enough in the bush.

This survey (& the trend found in the data) suggests otherwise. 36% of Australian live in the regional areas of Australia & it is my guess that more than 80% live in rural Queensland & NSW which are relatively AFL free.

[Beaussie]

The Lions on the other hand get about 90,000 viewers, and when they are not on the AFL games in Brisbane average about 30,000

Great result for Saturday Night AFL in Brisbane. Absolutely smashed the live Rugby Union test between the Wallabies and Fiji on Channel 7.

RNK Description STN Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,455,000 458,000 366,000 261,000 136,000 234,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,246,000 403,000 328,000 225,000 168,000 122,000
3 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 1,234,000 371,000 347,000 221,000 155,000 140,000
4 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,131,000 302,000 324,000 230,000 147,000 128,000
5 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Seven 1,074,000 351,000 262,000 217,000 100,000 144,000
6 SCOOBY-DOO -RPT Nine 913,000 263,000 245,000 182,000 120,000 103,000
7 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 860,000 430,000 123,000 163,000 143,000
10 THE BILL ABC 797,000 236,000 233,000 160,000 62,000 107,000
19 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FIJ Seven 506,000 256,000 49,000 153,000 15,000 33,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/20 ... other.html

[Beaussie]

To say that these areas are any less relevant than people who live in capital cities is an incredible statement for you to make, which is not based on any logic, other than you trying to score a few cheap points here...

That would explain the corny, cheap looking ads that regularly appear on regional TV. I often watch Prime, WIN and Southern Cross Ten and the advertising is lame for local butchers, fruit markets and car dealers. Like I said, the national advertisers don't care much for regional TV and the ratings achieved in these tiny, scattered markets.

The double up your refer to would be miniscule in terms of the overall populations concerned,and I'm still to see any real proof that they effect the ratings count anyway.

I've read before that there is up to 1 million viewers doubled up at a time. Hardly worth taking seriously when the system is so obviously flawed. When was the last time you saw the regionals being taken seriously by advertisers or the media in general. Only seems to be the NRL and its supporters constantly banging on about the importance of the regionals.

As to you saying that advertisers don't care about regionals, then have a look at what Kurt Angle had to say on LU about it..

Please feel free to refute what he is saying..

Read above regarding the general nature of advertising on regional TV. Corny and cheap.

[Willis 21]

The Lions on the other hand get about 90,000 viewers, and when they are not on the AFL games in Brisbane average about 30,000

Great result for Saturday Night AFL in Brisbane. Absolutely smashed the live Rugby Union test between the Wallabies and Fiji on Channel 7.

RNK Description STN Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,455,000 458,000 366,000 261,000 136,000 234,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,246,000 403,000 328,000 225,000 168,000 122,000
3 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 1,234,000 371,000 347,000 221,000 155,000 140,000
4 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,131,000 302,000 324,000 230,000 147,000 128,000
5 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Seven 1,074,000 351,000 262,000 217,000 100,000 144,000
6 SCOOBY-DOO -RPT Nine 913,000 263,000 245,000 182,000 120,000 103,000
7 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 860,000 430,000 123,000 163,000 143,000
10 THE BILL ABC 797,000 236,000 233,000 160,000 62,000 107,000
19 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FIJ Seven 506,000 256,000 49,000 153,000 15,000 33,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/20 ... other.html

You are an idiot...

You have highlighted the Melbourne Union figures... The Union got 153,000...

Aslo 123,000 watching the heavily promoted Lions V Aker grudge match, being killed in the ratings by two out of team League teams coming 14th and 15th...

[Willis 21]

I've read before that there is up to 1 million viewers doubled up at a time. Hardly worth taking seriously when the system is so obviously flawed. When was the last time you saw the regionals being taken seriously by advertisers or the media in general. Only seems to be the NRL and its supporters constantly banging on about the importance of the regionals.

Absolute rubbish....Please post a reference...

Please add up the populations in the Hunter, Wollongong and South Coast, ACT, Northern NSW, and Central and North Queensland and you would be looking at 2 million people...

[Beaussie]

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,685,000 430,000 468,000 337,000 171,000 280,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,535,000 386,000 493,000 265,000 172,000 218,000
3 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,393,000 442,000 428,000 186,000 107,000 230,000
4 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,373,000 426,000 434,000 198,000 200,000 115,000
5 WHERE ARE THEY NOW Seven 1,227,000 385,000 380,000 265,000 197,000
6 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,165,000 361,000 316,000 166,000 119,000 204,000
7 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 1,103,000 327,000 338,000 170,000 127,000 139,000
8 CSI RPT Nine 1,098,000 296,000 306,000 200,000 152,000 144,000
9 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,044,000 324,000 274,000 180,000 143,000 123,000
10 THE LOST TRIBES Nine 1,014,000 250,000 307,000 163,000 142,000 152,000
11 BIG BROTHER DOUBLE LIVE EVICTION Ten 990,000 255,000 281,000 194,000 115,000 144,000
12 ROVE Ten 948,000 211,000 319,000 170,000 111,000 137,000
13 ROBIN HOOD ABC 877,000 268,000 271,000 133,000 98,000 107,000
19 LIFE ON MARS ABC 748,000 237,000 221,000 118,000 81,000 91,000
23 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 11: ST KILDA V KANGAROOS Seven 503,000 61,000 280,000 60,000 94,000 8,000
26 SURVIVOR: FIJI Nine 490,000 136,000 154,000 68,000 67,000 65,000
30 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 392,000 248,000 S136,000 B9,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/20 ... l#comments

Nationally, NRL on Channel 9 was smashed again by Seven's AFL. Is that right above that Nine's Sunday Football only rated 9,000 in Brisbane?

[Beaussie]

I've read before that there is up to 1 million viewers doubled up at a time. Hardly worth taking seriously when the system is so obviously flawed. When was the last time you saw the regionals being taken seriously by advertisers or the media in general. Only seems to be the NRL and its supporters constantly banging on about the importance of the regionals.

Absolute rubbish....Please post a reference...

Will try and track it down - but it was a while ago.