4 Likes
For the sake of one game a bit odd not to give it studio presentation, even if they take the world feed commentary. Yes, the third place play off is all a bit meaningless but turned out to be one of the best matches of the tournament with nothing really on the line. Also it’s a good chance for the studio team to preview the final too.
5 Likes
The one-hour finale of Cup Fever just wrapped up on SBS/Viceland. Was a great show, with many highlights throughout the series.
Rob Sitch made a special appearance.
There were also closing credits too - thanking the guests that appeared on the show throughout the series - and were credits given to Channel 10, SBS and Working Dog.
5 Likes
I watched the final episode of Cup Fever on SBS on Demand and they rolled out the final credits for the guests who have appeared on the show during the tournament. Special thanks to the Executive Producers of Working Dog Productions who have created this show during the FIFA World Cup.
It would have been nice if they have a finale after the World Cup Final. But overall, I think Working Dog Productions have done a terrific job with the Cup Fever.
1 Like
Telecast wrapped up at 9:05am (aest)
Who was the presenter who said just before they crossed back to the studio about trump standing to the side of the Spanish team “they can edit that out”? Well said! He wants to be the star of the show on all occasions.
8 Likes
Sounded like it was Claudio Fabiano. They turned his mic on too early 
3 Likes
Would you be saying that if it was Biden or Harris standing there?, I think we know your answer.
Probably, if they were also hanging around to have their pic taken rather than walking away to let the team enjoy their moment of glory.
8 Likes
It wasn’t, it was the person not fit for the job with no sense of the occasion he was attending. This incident has since been reported in the media. And again I say the presenter at SBS who made the remark deserves a medal. And FYI I detest trump!
1 Like
The clip of the hot mic is viral on socials. I think a lot of people were thinking and saying it. And if you look at the Spain offical pics or FIFA pics they have cropped him out or edited him out
3 Likes
SBS scores biggest ever FIFA World Cup™ Reach as Spain triumph in the final
Spain v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of almost 5.3 million on Monday morning
Almost 2.8 million tuned into the third-place match between England and France on Sunday
More than 64% of Australians have now watched the tournament as cumulative reach tops 18 million
An extraordinary 5.26 million* Australians tuned in to SBS on Monday morning as the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history reached a dramatic conclusion, with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Cumulative Total TV reach for the tournament is now at 18.04 million, which means 64% of Australia’s population have watched some of the tournament. Total consumption hours have topped 209 million.
Despite the Socceroos’ early departure in the knockout rounds, Australian fans have continued to flock to the closing stages of the tournament. The final became the most-watched World Cup match in SBS history, surpassing the Socceroos’ final Group match against Paraguay (4.87 million, Total TV reach).
The Total TV average audience was 2.7 million and more than 56.5% watched the match on SBS On Demand. The post-match show reached more than 3.7 million and was the second most-watched program of the day.
On Sunday morning, 2.8 million viewers witnessed a goal-fest as England defeated France 6-4 to secure third place in the tournament (average audience of 1.4 million), which also topped the daily VOZ rankings.
Seventeen matches have now reached more than two million each during the tournament, including four matches that have topped four million viewers. Of the 104 World Cup matches, 62 reached more than one million viewers (almost 60%).
SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp, said: “This has been an unprecedented FIFA World Cup™ in its size, complexity and intrigue, and Australians have embraced it in extraordinary numbers. In our 40 years of broadcasting the tournament, we’ve never seen engagement at this level. The Socceroos captured the imagination of the nation, but people stayed for the rest of the tournament as it delivered remarkable football and unforgettable moments right through to Spain’s victory in the Final.
“Throughout the past six weeks, we saw football’s unique ability to bring people together and celebrate the many cultures and communities that make our country so diverse. That’s what has always made the FIFA World Cup™ so special, and why SBS has been proud to bring it to Australians for the past 40 years. We never take that responsibility for granted, and we’re incredibly grateful to have shared this remarkable journey with millions of people.”
| Spain v Argentina | Total TV Reach | Total TV Average Audience | % BVOD Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain v Argentina – Pre | 1,159,000 | 227,000 | 19.6% |
| Spain v Argentina – Live | 5,262,000 | 2,691,000 | 56.5% |
| Spain v Argentina – Post | 3,701,000 | 1,648,000 | 44.5% |
World Cup matches have consistently ranked in the top ten programs of the day since the tournament began on 12 June (Australian time).
The World Cup broadcast has struck a particular chord with younger viewers, consistently ranking No.1 on the VOZ daily ratings in the 16-39 age group.
| Top Matches to 20 July | Total TV Reach | Total TV Average Audience | % BVOD Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain v Argentina Final – Live | 5,262,000 | 2,691,000 | 56.5% |
| Paraguay v Australia – Live | 4,869,000 | 3,097,000 | 47.0% |
| Australia v Türkiye – Live | 4,851,000 | 3,085,000 | 44.4% |
| Norway v England QF – Live | 4,409,000 | 2,418,000 | 56.1% |
| Australia v Egypt – Live | 3,896,000 | 2,208,000 | 46.5% |
| Argentina v Switzerland QF – Live | 3,783,000 | 1,919,000 | 55.4% |
| USA v Australia – Live | 3,482,000 | 2,208,000 | 46.1% |
| England v Argentina SF – Live | 3,391,000 | 1,877,000 | 64.2% |
| Mexico v England – Live | 2,937,000 | 1,683,000 | 63.6% |
| France v England 3rd Place – Live | 2,773,000 | 1,407,000 | 54.7% |
SBS Sport’s social media platforms have had more than 1.5 billion video views and 1.6 billion impressions across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.^ The SBS Sport TikTok platform has grown exponentially during the World Cup and is now the second biggest TikTok broadcaster account in Australia with 3.7 million followers.
Hyundai, Hisense, Macca’s, Rexona, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi are commercial partners of SBS’s broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Audience Testimonials
“I would like to thank you for a wonderful coverage of the World Cup 2026. I thought that given the current world I would have to get one or more streaming services to watch the Cup. But to have it all available on free to air on SBS (where it truly belongs) has been wonderful. So thank you. Also I’ve been exposed to adverts that show how many great shows SBS has so I will be watching more SBS in the future.”
“Hello, SBS legends. I feel the need to congratulate you on flawlessly bringing Australia the finest coverage of football I’ve ever experienced. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself when it’s over tomorrow. Thank you for the perfect live streams and the mini match choices, the accessibility, the social media posts… we couldn’t have wished for anything more… Seriously, SBS, you smashed it. Thank you.”
“As an avid and long-term football fan, I’ve been watching SBS’s range of coverage ‘forever’. You’ve had wonderful commentators and spokespeople over the decades. But your choice of the current group is inspired!! New faces. Experienced players. Informed commentary. Internationals. Males and females. Your coverage and the people involved has been/is simply excellent. Well done, SBS. I’m SO pleased YOU had the rights!!!
“Just wanted to let you know SBS On Demand has been fantastic, with live and demand options, full games, mini matches, extended to highlights options and really easy to navigate. All free for me, just ads to watch with a timer on the ads, very appreciated. Great work!”
“Just want to thank you for the amazingly professional coverage of FIFA World Cup. I’m not generally interested in watching sport on TV but your coverage is so well done that I’ve been watching a lot. Also, I love to be able to see the world coming together in times of international conflict.”
Sources:
* Reach-To-Date: VOZ National Total TV | Date: 11/06/2026 – 20/07/2026 | Data: When Watched, All WC content | Demo: Total People | Metric: Reach (Broadcast 1 min, BVOD 15 secs)
Consumption Hours-To-Date: VOZ National Total TV | Date: 11/06/2026 – 20/07/2026 | Data: When Watched, All WC content | Demo: Total People | Metric: Consumption hours (Mins. Viewed / 60)
Average Audience: VOZ National Total TV | Consolidated till 13/07/26, rest Overnight | Demo: Total People | Metric: Average Audience
^ Tableau, 1/4/2026 to 20/6/2026
6 Likes
Six matches averaging over 2.0m viewers is a truly amazing feat. Understandably, 4 feature the Socceroos, one was the Quarter Final, and the final being, well, the Final.
The Top 10 Programs of 2026 so far are the above 6 matches, the 3 NRL State of Origin matches (and a Married at First Sight episode?). The end of year lists will include the AFL and NRL Grand Finals.
3 Likes
Australian Open as well - currently 4th after the 3 SOO games.
2 Likes
Not sure if it’s been noted but the James Corden show from FOX is on On Demand, and has been throughout the Cup.
Well…no one’s really "Demand"ed James Corden on any platform. 
4 Likes
On Background reporting that SBS are close to renewing the rights for 2030 and that its agreed to in principle but hasn’t been signed. This seems like a renewal with no bidding process so no other networks can get a look in. Good for Australia that it will remain on free to air.
13 Likes