DIEHARD
04-10-05, 03:04 PM
NRL grand final ratings figures soar
The national television audience for Sunday's NRL grand final has topped four million viewers after regional figures were added to the overall ratings.
In total, 4.132 million fans watched the Wests Tigers defeat North Queensland 30-16, an increase of 800,000 viewers to last year's decider between the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters.
At one stage on Sunday night, 96 per cent of television sets in the Townsville region were tuned into WIN for the match. Overall, the WIN network in regional Queensland added an overall total of 500,000 viewers to the national figure.
More than 900,000 fans were tuned in across the NSW regional markets through NBN and WIN.
The match was the most watched television program of the year in Sydney and Brisbane.
"The figures show the depth of support there is for the game, particularly in the two states of NSW and Queensland that represent more than half Australia's population and giving advertisers access to more than half the nation's retail activity," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
"On one level it was a fairytale that everyone could appreciate but importantly it also reflects an ongoing love people have for rugby league in our key markets.
"This year's figures have also been encouraging for the interest generated in both Melbourne and regional Victoria and hopefully we can build on that through the Melbourne Storm next season."
Source: http://www.SMH.com.au and AAP
The national television audience for Sunday's NRL grand final has topped four million viewers after regional figures were added to the overall ratings.
In total, 4.132 million fans watched the Wests Tigers defeat North Queensland 30-16, an increase of 800,000 viewers to last year's decider between the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters.
At one stage on Sunday night, 96 per cent of television sets in the Townsville region were tuned into WIN for the match. Overall, the WIN network in regional Queensland added an overall total of 500,000 viewers to the national figure.
More than 900,000 fans were tuned in across the NSW regional markets through NBN and WIN.
The match was the most watched television program of the year in Sydney and Brisbane.
"The figures show the depth of support there is for the game, particularly in the two states of NSW and Queensland that represent more than half Australia's population and giving advertisers access to more than half the nation's retail activity," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
"On one level it was a fairytale that everyone could appreciate but importantly it also reflects an ongoing love people have for rugby league in our key markets.
"This year's figures have also been encouraging for the interest generated in both Melbourne and regional Victoria and hopefully we can build on that through the Melbourne Storm next season."
Source: http://www.SMH.com.au and AAP