The first match of the recommenced 2020 NRL season has set a ratings record.
The combined audience watching on Nine and Fox League across Australia was 1,353,000.
The Parramatta Eel’s 34-6 victory over the Brisbane Broncos last night to re-start the 2020 Telstra NRL Premiership season figures detailed below don’t include live streaming on connected devices.
The breakdown of the audiences:
Metro FTA 619,000
Regional FTA 333,000
Fox League 401,000
The metro splits for the audience watching on Nine:
Sydney 286,000
Brisbane 249,000
Melbourne 49,000
Adelaide 18,000
Perth 17,000
The audience watching on Nine was the biggest regular season game since the season opening match in 2016.
In regional markets the audiences included:
Queensland 124,000
Northern NSW 99,000
Southern NSW 80,000
Victoria 19,000
Tasmania 7,000
Western Australia 4,000
The Fox League figure of 401,000 was the most watched regular season simulcast game ever and the number one game of the 2020 season.
Head of Fox Sports Peter Campbell said this morning: “Footy is back on and it is a great result for sports fans and our customers who have been missing live sport and have re-connected and watched the NRL in record numbers.
“It augurs well for the weekend with Fox League on Foxtel, Foxtel NOW, Foxtel GO and Kayo Sports, the only place to see every game of the NRL, live and ad-break free.”
See also: Foxtel to be the home of NRL till 2027 + Nine confirms deal till 2022
Nine will continue to cover round 3 tonight and on Sunday:
The oldest rivalry in rugby league reignites for its latest chapter on VB Friday Night Footy when the Sydney Roosters, the defending premiers, take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium. It’s 112 years into their storied feud, and Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell is facing his former club for the first time, eager to prove his critics wrong. His opposite number, fullback James Tedesco, will relish the chance to run at his old partner in crime as he terrorises the defence.
The Roosters, so far winless, welcome back captain Boyd Cordner from injury and are sweating on the fitness of international prop Siosiua Taukeiaho. For the Bunnies, Alex Johnston will be a handy replacement in a backline weakened by the suspension of Cody Walker.
Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy sees another brilliant match-up between the undefeated Panthers and Knights. The Knights have scored more points than any other team so far this season, while Penrith have racked up gritty wins over the Roosters and Dragons. Suspended Penrith star halfback Nathan Cleary will be replaced by talented rookie Matt Burton, feeling safe with wrecking ball Viliame Kikau alongside him.
The Knights will start crafty Connor Watson at hooker, but all eyes are on young fullback Tex Hoy, son of professional surfer Matt Hoy, who makes his first-grade debut with Kalyn Ponga out.
FRIDAY, MAY 29
VB FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Roosters vs Rabbitohs, LIVE from Bankwest Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: Erin Molan, Ray Warren, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Billy Slater, Peter Sterling.
FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCK OFF – LIVE following Roosters vs Rabbitohs. It explores the big stories to come from the game and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. This week: host James Bracey is joined by former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, netball legend Cath Cox and SMH columnist Peter Fitzsimons, with special guest John McEnroe.
SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – LIVE from 11.00am AEST on Nine. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Round 3 action so far with Peter Sterling, Brad Fittler and Sam Thaiday.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY KICK OFF – LIVE at 3.00pm AEST on Nine ahead of Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy. A preview of the upcoming action from the best minds in the game.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY FOOTY – Panthers vs Knights, LIVE from Campbelltown Stadium at 4.00pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Paul Gallen, Allana Ferguson, Phil Gould, Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson.
Fox League schedule for the remainder of round 3
FRIDAY, MAY 29:
5:00PM FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY PRE-GAME
Jess Yates, Sam Burgess, Kevin Walters & Greg Alexander
6:00PM: COWBOYS v TITANS
Commentary: Dan Ginnane & Michael Ennis
7:55PM: ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
Commentary: Warren Smith, Braith Anasta & Steve Roach
10:00PM: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY POST-GAME
Jess Yates, Sam Burgess, Kevin Walters & Greg Alexander
SATURDAY, MAY 30:
2:30PM: SUPER SATURDAY PRE-GAME
Yvonne Sampson, Michael Ennis, Cooper Cronk & Ben Ikin
3:00PM: WARRIORS v DRAGONS
Commentary: Warren Smith & Steve Roach
4:50PM: SUPER SATURDAY PRE-GAME
Yvonne Sampson, Michael Ennis, Cooper Cronk & Mal Meninga
5:30PM: SHARKS v WESTS TIGERS
Commentary: Andrew Voss & Braith Anasta
7:35PM: STORM v RAIDERS
Commentary: Dan Ginnane & Greg Alexander
Game also available in 4K Ultra HD on FOX SPORTS 4K
9:20PM: SUPER SATURDAY POST-GAME
Yvonne Sampson, Michael Ennis, Cooper Cronk & Mal Meninga
SUNDAY, MAY 31:
3:00PM: SUNDAY TICKET PRE-GAME
Hannah Hollis, Braith Anasta, Nathan Hindmarsh & Ben Ikin
4:05PM: PANTHERS v KNIGHTS
Commentary: Andrew Voss & Michael Ennis
6:30PM: SEA EAGLES v BULLDOGS
Commentary: Brenton Speed & Greg Alexander
8:30PM: SUNDAY NIGHT WITH MATTY JOHNS
Matt Johns, Sam Burgess, Bryan Fletcher, Nathan Hindmarsh & Emma Freedman
9:30PM: THE BIG LEAGUE WRAP
Yvonne Sampson, Michael Ennis & James Hooper
*All times listed in AEST