Following impressive audience figures for the first five rounds of NRL coverage under 2016’s new rights deal, along with a strong performances across AFL, V8 Supercars, Super Rugby and more, FOX SPORTS is boasting about a new ratings high on Foxtel, recording the highest ever weekly audience share in the network’s history.
Based on overnight data for Week 14, FOX SPORTS recorded a weekly audience share of 13.22%, surpassing the previous high of 11.76% set across week commencing 7th July, 2013.
Collecting data from the seven days from Sunday 27th March, key contributors to FOX SPORTS’ record week included Easter Monday becoming the network’s highest rating Monday ever, with a 17.07% share – boosted by strong viewing figures across NRL and AFL fixtures that day. Both of the weekend’s V8 Supercars races drew in average audiences of over 100,000, while the Socceroos 5-1 Tuesday night win over Jordan in their World Cup qualifying match brought in 193,000 viewers.
Live coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 cup consistently brought in viewers across the week, as did Week 14’s coverage of the Hyundai A-League, ANZ Championships and Super Rugby, supported by strong audiences across FOX SPORTS’ entertainment shows and pre and post-game coverage.
This builds on extremely encouraging viewing figures for the early stages of the 2016 NRL Premiership, which based on the first four rounds of action has seen a +29% increase in FOX SPORTS’ average audience for both exclusive and simulcast matches.
Another record was set with the opening round of the 2016 AFL Premiership, with Richmond’s opening night clash with Carlton becoming FOX FOOTY’s highest rating season opener of all time, with an average audience of 276,000 tuning in.
Commenting on the record-breaking week, FOX SPORTS CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “There simply has never been a better time for Australians to enjoy sport on TV, as ever-growing numbers discover the joys of following their favourite sports live each week, no matter what their code or club. As the breadth and quality of our coverage continues to grow, innovations such as this week’s launch of the world’s first dedicated 24/7 Masters channel on FOX SPORTS, combined with our continued investment in NRL, AFL and more, means sports fans of all passions and persuasions are able to get more bang for their buck than ever before.”
Newly appointed FOXTEL CEO, Peter Tonagh, added: “At Foxtel we are committed to providing our subscribers with the best viewing experience across all genres, and these figures show our customers are embracing the incredible line-up and coverage of live and local sports. With the significant increase in content on the FOX SPORTS channels this year and the addition of the new beIN SPORTS channels next month, the Foxtel sports pack continues to be a must-have for any Australian sports fan.”
