Nine’s State of Origin III draws 5.4 million viewers, breaking records for the highest-rated decider since 2013 and 9Now’s largest audience.
Nine’s coverage of State of Origin III has set new benchmarks, emerging as one of the highest-rating TV sports events in recent memory, surpassed only by the Matildas semi-final against England and last year’s AFL grand final.
NSW’s 14-4 victory over Queensland in the State of Origin decider provided a significant ratings boost for Nine, just weeks before the Paris Olympic Games. The match drew more than 5.4 million viewers, who witnessed NSW triumph against the odds, holding Queensland scoreless in a 14-4 upset at Suncorp Stadium.
The event averaged 3.65 million viewers, reflecting a 44 per cent increase from the previous year. A substantial 864,000 viewers, nearly a quarter of the total, watched via the network’s BVOD service, 9Now, marking an 83 per cent increase in the BVOD audience compared to last year’s fixture.
This figure not only represents the largest TV audience in 9Now’s history but also the second largest of any Australian BVOD, trailing the 957,000 viewers on 7Plus for the Matildas match against England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The impressive ratings figures means this weeks match was the most watched State of Origin game since 2016, and the highest Game Three viewership figure since 2013.
Nine’s pre-match and post-match coverage also drew strong numbers, with average audiences of 1.79 million and 1.62 million, respectively.
Only cause they won.