It’s tricky trying to compare the ratings we are getting now to earlier years. The biggest difference is that the ratings only used to report the metro plus TAM regional ratings that didn’t include all of Australia. The current ratings potentially have a biggest pool of people that can potentially watch.
The previous highest Metro + Regional official rating was 2013 Game III that had 4,194,736. Nine got a 44.7% share that night. The game was on 9Gem in Perth.
SERIES RANKS AS THREE HIGHEST RATING PROGRAMS OF ALL TIME ON 9NOW
The 2024 State of Origin series has rewritten the record books, setting new benchmarks for viewership across broadcast and streaming, with 10.789 million Australians tuning in throughout the thrilling series.
The New South Wales Blues defied the odds to clinch the series in Brisbane for only the third time in the 44-year history of State of Origin, defeating the Queensland Maroons in a contest that captured audiences across the nation.
The three game series, which averaged 3.409 million viewers per match (up 14.9% year-on-year), ranks as the three highest rating programs of the year (based on overnight figures).
State of Origin 2024 also smashed viewing figures on 9Now with the three matches ranking as the three-highest rating programs of all time on Australia’s No. 1 free-to-air BVOD platform. The series recorded an average BVOD audience of 788,000 per match - up an incredible 50.4% year-on-year.
Wednesday night’s match soared to a National Total TV Reach of 5.426 million and a Total TV National Audience of 3.652 million - up 44.7% year-on-year. It also now takes out the title as the No. 1 program of the year, based on overnight ratings. Game 3 is the highest rating match since Game 1 of 2016 and the highest rating Game 3 since 2013*.
On 9Now, the series decider, won by the New South Wales Blues, recorded a BVOD audience of 864,000 - up 83.1% year-on-year. It takes the title of the No. 1 program of all time on 9Now and the second highest rating live program of all time (across all broadcasters).
State of Origin Game 1 secured a National Total TV Reach of 5.244 million and a Total TV National Audience of 3.377 million, making it the second highest rating program of the year (on overnight data). On 9Now, Game 1 recorded a BVOD audience of 760,000 - up 41.8% year-on-year. It also ranks as the No. 2 program of all time on 9Now and the third highest rating live program of all time (across all broadcasters).
State of Origin Game 2 achieved the highest ratings for a Game 2 since 2017*. It garnered a National Total TV Reach of 5.129 million and a Total TV National Audience of 3.193 million, making it the third highest rating program of the year-to-date (on overnight data). On 9Now, Game 2 recorded a BVOD audience of 739,000 - up 31.1% year-on-year. It also ranks as the No. 3 program of all time on 9Now and the fourth highest rating live program of all time (across all broadcasters).
Hamish Turner, Director of 9Now and Nine Programming, said: “We are immensely proud of having delivered a world-class broadcast of one of the most unforgettable State of Origin series to date. More than ten million Australians united in celebrating these phenomenal athletes and the greatest rivalry in sporting history. Last night’s decider epitomised the essence of Origin, holding viewers captivated until the final moment and breaking records across both broadcast and streaming. Congratulations to everyone at the NRL for staging such a memorable series.”
*(based on overnight using TAM/VPM data).
NRLW RETURNS ON NINE WITH PRIME-TIME SEASON OPENER
ALL 48 GAMES LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETWORK
AND STREAMING ON 9NOW
WESTPAC NRLW WRAP: DEDICATED NRLW SHOW EVERY WEEK
The 2024 NRLW season kicks off on Nine with a prime-time showdown between the reigning premiers, Newcastle Knights, and Sydney Roosters, this Thursday, July 25, from 7.30pm AEST on Channel 9HD and 9Now.
The season opener heralds another absorbing season of women’s rugby league. Nine’s commitment to the NRLW competition means all 48 matches will be broadcast live and free.
In 2024, there will be consecutive Thursday night prime-time fixtures – Round 8 and Round 9 – which will include the 2023 Grand Final rematch when the Gold Coast Titans host the Knights in an NRLW double-header.
Leading the NRLW coverage is host Emma Lawrence, alongside a commentary lineup that includes expert perspectives from Ruan Sims, Allana Ferguson, and NRLW player Millie Elliott, complemented by sideline reporters Marlee Silva and Bronte Gildea.
Millie Elliott, Ruan Sims, Allana Ferguson, Emma Lawrence and Marlee Silva.
This season Nine’s coverage will feature a roster of callers: Mat Thompson, Peter Psaltis, Brenton Speed, Anthony Maroon and Drury Forbes. They will be supported with comments from rugby league legends including Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer.
In addition to Nine’s live game coverage, NRLW fans will get exclusive content in the weekly Westpac NRLW Wrap, which dives into matches with analysis, player interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Plus, the NRLW Weekly podcast, hosted by Marlee Silva and Ruan Sims, will debate the hot topics, profile the players, and provide insights from the experts who know women’s rugby league best.
Wide World of Sports’ Head of Partnerships & Strategy, Simon Fordham, said: “The 2024 NRLW season on Nine will continue the momentum of the historic first-ever, three-game Women’s State of Origin series that smashed attendance and ratings records.
“Nine’s commitment to women’s rugby league is unmatched and Nine is the only place to see State of Origin and every NRLW game until 2027. This commitment extends beyond rugby league to the Olympic Games, where you’ll be able to watch every match featuring our female superstars including the Rugby Sevens, Hockeyroos, Matildas and Opals during Paris 2024, which starts this week.
“This depth of coverage cements Nine as the trusted home where Australians can unite to witness and cherish unforgettable sporting moments.”
NRLW 2024: EVERY GAME, EVERY ROUND
LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETWORK AND 9NOW
FROM THURSDAY, JULY 25, 7.30PM AEST
Also see season launch
Following tonight’s NRLW season opener, Nine will step up the NRL action alongside the excitement of the Paris Olympics, live and free on the 9Network.
On Friday Night Footy in Round 21, the ladder-leading Melbourne Storm play the Parramatta Eels. Melbourne at last get superstar Cameron Munster back from injury. Can Clint Gutherson, the captain and heartbeat of the Eels, celebrate his 200th NRL game with a victory, or will the steamrolling Storm pile on another big score after racking up 94 points against the blue and golds in their last two encounters?
NRL on Nine will have live coverage from Commbank Stadium with Danika Mason, Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen, plus comments from Billy Slater and Andrew Johns. Peter Psaltis is calling the game, and Brad Fittler and Emma Lawrence will provide sideline updates.
On Sunday Arvo Footy, amid Nine’s exclusive Olympic Games coverage, the Dolphins take on the Titans at Suncorp Stadium. While the Dolphins have won their last three clashes, the Titans boast a strong record at Suncorp, aiming for five wins in a row. Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is on fire, with seven tries in his past four games, while fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is both the X and the wow factor in a Dolphins outfit fully focused on making the finals.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Friday, July 26
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – STORM V EELS
Sunday, July 28
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – DOLPHINS V TITANS
HOSTPLUS QLD CUP - From 2.10pm. Western Clydesdales v Tweed Head Seagulls, available on the 9Now pop-up channel live and free.
NRL ROUND 21
FROM FRIDAY, JULY 25, AT 7.30PM AEST
LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETOWRK
Friday’s game should be “Eels v Storm” not “Storm v Eels”. The game is being played at Parramatta Stadium.
They did it US style. 
US style would be “Storm @ Eels”
Guessing there’ll be a lot of Olympics integration in tonight’s NRL telecast, such as in-program plugs and maybe even a live-cross?
During the actual telecast, there was some mention of the Olympics. But during the post match segement, which are usual long padding segments at the best of times, there was plenty of plugs. They recently crossed to rower Spencer Turrin for an interview.
The split programming/presentation has already started on Nine for the Olympics, with a “9Go! HD” (looked like a new and 2D logo too) promo airing on 9Gem in Melbourne tonight (around 10:30pm) for Sunday NRL
This Sunday (August 4), the NRLW clash between Cowboys and Dragons will be shown live on 9GO! in WA at 4pm local time. In other states and territories, it will air live on 9Life at 6pm AEST.
9Life? That’s a rarity for any sports.
With 9Gem and 9GO out of action due to the Olympics, there wasn’t much else on offer. 9Life or Rush.
Glad that all of the NRLW matches of this season are shown live.
Will it finish before 6? Because then there’s news to consider. So x2 Olympics, NRL, NRLW and news all around this time of day. Wow touch and go this, complex.
9 Rush!? Though its only aired in the capital cities.
NRL ON NINE CELEBRATES WOMEN IN LEAGUE ROUND
PRE-GAME COVERAGE ON 9GOHD BEFORE
KICK-OFF ON CHANNEL 9HD
As our Aussie athletes shine in Nine’s record-breaking Olympics coverage, the NRL is set to add more excitement with the Harvey Norman Women In League Round, live and free on the 9Network.
The round begins with Thursday Night Footy when the confident Cowboys swagger into Leichhardt Oval to play the struggling Tigers, who need to saddle up big time in defence to keep the high-scoring visitors in check.
Friday Night Footy will light up Perth as the Roosters play their first game there since 1995 when they meet Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins. They are fighting to stay in the top eight while the Roosters sit comfortably in the top four. Victory could come down to two of the best wingers in the competition: Dolphin Jamayne Isaako who snared a hat-trick in Perth last year, and Roosters flyer Dominic Young, with six tries in his last five games on the end of a backline that oozes class.
Danika Mason will lead the NRL on Nine coverage live from Perth, with analysis from Andrew Johns and Billy Slater. Peter Psaltis will call the game while Brad Fittler lends his expert insights from the sideline.
Sunday Arvo Footy will come from a packed house at Belmore Sports Ground when the Bulldogs attack the Canberra Raiders. The Dogs are undefeated at home this season, but the Raiders have had their measure in winning their last nine encounters. Raiders prop Josh Papalii will celebrate his 300th NRL appearance, while try-scoring Bulldogs second-rower Viliame Kikau looms as a potent danger man.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 1
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – COWBOYS V TIGERS
Friday, August 2
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – ROOSTERS V DOLPHINS
Sunday, August 4
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – BULLDOGS V RAIDERS
HOSTPLUS QLD CUP - From 2.10pm. Ipswich Jets v Mackay Cutters, available on the 9Now pop-up channel live and free.
Full schedule details:
NRL unit publicity must’ve missed the memo about 9Life in Western Australia?
It’s 9Life in the other states for NRLW coverage
I wonder if that means Anthony Maroon gets the Thursday night game? Can’t see Peter doing that then flying to Perth.
