Strong growth in television audiences in New South Wales and Queensland have ensured the 2020 AFL Premiership Season has returned with outstanding ratings as the season continues to unfold.
After five rounds, New South Wales and Queensland audiences have risen by 16 per cent on free-to-air television against 2019 figures, with a 38 per cent increase in the Brisbane audience alone as against 2019, as the Lions and SUNS both occupy positions in the top eight.
Overall, national TV ratings for the AFL competition are up a staggering 21 per cent on 2019, reflecting the increased interest in the game and the closeness of the competition.
The Brisbane Lions’ Saturday night game against the West Coast Eagles in Round Three saw the second-highest free-to-air audience in Brisbane for a home and away game since 2014. It also marked the highest free-to-air audience for a home and away game since 2011.
Thursday night marquee matches have been particularly strong, averaging 1.2 million fans per game, 16 per cent ahead of last year, while Friday night audiences have increased nine per cent against last year’s figures to reach an average of 1.1 million fans per game.
Top Five Games for 2020
1. Round 2 Collingwood v Richmond (Thursday night – 1.62m viewers – highest ever Thursday night home-and-away television audience)
2. Round 1 Richmond v Carlton (Friday night – 1.37m viewers)
3. Round 2 Geelong Cats v Hawthorn (Friday night – 1.28m viewers)
4. Round 3 Richmond v Hawthorn (Thursday night – 1.10m viewers)
5. Round 4 GWS GIANTS v Collingwood (Friday night – 1.02m viewers).
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan expressed his thanks to all football fans across the country who are tuning in to the game, and thanked broadcast partners – the Seven Network, Foxtel and Telstra.