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NRL drawing crowds across Foxtel platforms

With Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO & Kayo audiences factored in, NRL audiences are up 18% on 2019.

Foxtel has released ratings figures for recent NRL matches which illustrate that the sport is drawing hefty audiences across a combined Foxtel / Foxtel Now/ Foxtel GO and Kayo offering.

By way of example a recent Raiders v Rabbitohs game drew 291,000 on linear broadcasting, but a further 122,000 through its other platforms. Using this methodology, viewing is up 18% compared to  corresponding of the 2019 season. Live viewing for Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO and Kayo audiences is up over 150%.

FOX Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley said: “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.

“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.”

FOX Sports Sales and Brand Partnerships Director, Martin Medcraf added: “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. 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.”

The Foxtel Group today released viewer data highlighting the success of the 2020 NRL season with live NRL audiences on FOX League, up 18% compared to the corresponding Rounds 1 to 14 of the 2019 season.

Released for the first time, the data covers Foxtel set-top boxes together with streaming platforms Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go and the fast-growing Kayo and confirms 2020 as the number one rating NRL season ever for the Foxtel Group. The record-breaking season was driven by an increase in the average live audience for Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO and Kayo audiences, up over 150%.

With many fans unable to attend the footy in person because of COVID-19 restrictions, viewers have also sought out Fox League as the go-to destination for the best NRL action with FOX League exclusive matches 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.

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