Play Nice 2024 AFL TV Ratings

[The_Wookie]

Internal trials starting this weekend.

Will be keeping the ratings thread separate to the attendance thread this year.


Notes

Oztam have now moved completely to VOZ. At present this means no Fox or Kayo streams seem to be appearing on the oztam lists. Reach is now the focus of the Oztam reporting although an average for Linear is still being reported.

* NOTE: NEW METRICS AND REPORTS *​

• Total TV Overnight Top 30 and Consolidated 7 Top 30 reach is calculated using cumulative unique audiences watching 1 min of broadcast TV and 15 sec of BVOD.
• Total TV National audience is calculated using the audience average for the program as time-coded by the Network across 5CM and all regional markets nationally watching on broadcast TV.
• BVOD national audience is calculated using the total number of minutes watched (multiplied by co-viewing factor) divided by the length of the program.

Will attempt to get as much data as possible, but Oztam not making it easy any more.

 

[Bjo187]

both prelims last year rated over 1.4m

Sorry, I'm talking reach, you know my thoughts on this averages crapola. I don't think we see many crack 3 million, but I may be wrong.

 

[The_Wookie]

Sorry, I'm talking reach, you know my thoughts on this averages crapola. I don't think we see many crack 3 million, but I may be wrong.

and you know mine. Reach was not reported for most things prior to this year.

 

[The Educator]

The decrease in the AFL's FTA average this year is pretty much exactly the same as the increase in the average for BVOD

 

[The_Wookie]

Top 10 FTA AFL Ratings for the Year - Average (Consolidated up to Week 2 of the Finals)

Date	Description	Network	Total TV National Average Audience
13/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	1,082,000
6/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	972,000
14/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	922,000
25/04/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: ANZAC DAY FOOTBALL	Seven	896,000
7/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	887,000
5/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	832,000
3/05/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	819,000
12/07/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	786,000
14/03/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	738,000
10/06/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: MONDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL	Seven	730,000
5/07/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	729,000

Top 10 FTA AFL Ratings for the year - Reach (Consolidated up to week 2 of the finals)

Date	Description	Network	Total TV National Reach
14/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,645,000
13/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,623,000
5/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,493,000
6/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,426,000
10/05/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	2,401,000
7/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,342,000
7/03/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	2,140,000
7/09/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL FINALS	Seven	2,092,000
15/03/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	2,075,000
25/04/2024	SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	Seven	2,071,000

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[The Educator]

Enormous numbers again for the AFL finals on Kayo....

https://reports.oztam.com.au/?type=live

The cats lions game had a reach of 914K and an average of 506K. This was up about 200K reach and 100K average on the lions blues game last year

Swans Port was 802K / 432K

 

[Bjo187]

Enormous numbers again for the AFL finals on Kayo....

https://reports.oztam.com.au/?type=live

The cats lions game had a reach of 914K and an average of 506K. This was up about 200K reach and 100K average on the lions blues game last year

Swans Port was 802K / 432K

Reached over 4 million viewers then without including foxtel yet. I thought it was massive.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Bjo187]

Interesting to see 7 plus finally streaming the brownlow and grand final. The brownlow reached over 3 million people last night. I think the streaming figure on the far right is + average streaming audience, but not completely sure.

 

[The_Wookie]

Date	Channel	Primary Description	BVOD Audience	BVOD Reach
21/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: PF GEELONG V BRISBANE	506,000	914,000
13/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: SF PORT ADELAIDE V HAWTHORN	440,000	780,000
20/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: PF SYDNEY V PORT ADELAIDE	432,000	802,000
6/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: EF WB V HAWTHORN	413,000	710,000
14/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: SEMI FINAL GWS V BRISBANE	388,000	788,000
7/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: EF BRISBANE V CARLTON	374,000	706,000
7/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: QUALIFYING FINAL SYDNEY V GWS	369,000	750,000
5/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: QF PORT ADELAIDE V GEELONG	356,000	642,000
15/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: EF BULLDOGS V SEA EAGLES	353,000	554,000
14/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: QF STORM V SHARKS	315,000	535,000
21/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: SF ROOSTERS V SEA EAGLES	285,000	510,000
14/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: EF COWBOYS V KNIGHTS	282,000	498,000
20/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: SF SHARKS V COWBOYS	281,000	512,000
13/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: QF PANTHERS V ROOSTERS	274,000	485,000

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Date	Channel	Primary Description	BVOD Audience	BVOD Reach
21/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: PF GEELONG V BRISBANE	506,000	914,000
13/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: SF PORT ADELAIDE V HAWTHORN	440,000	780,000
20/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: PF SYDNEY V PORT ADELAIDE	432,000	802,000
6/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: EF WB V HAWTHORN	413,000	710,000
14/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: SEMI FINAL GWS V BRISBANE	388,000	788,000
7/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: EF BRISBANE V CARLTON	374,000	706,000
7/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: QUALIFYING FINAL SYDNEY V GWS	369,000	750,000
5/09/2024	FOX FOOTY	LIVE: AFL: QF PORT ADELAIDE V GEELONG	356,000	642,000
15/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: EF BULLDOGS V SEA EAGLES	353,000	554,000
14/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: QF STORM V SHARKS	315,000	535,000
21/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: SF ROOSTERS V SEA EAGLES	285,000	510,000
14/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: EF COWBOYS V KNIGHTS	282,000	498,000
20/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: SF SHARKS V COWBOYS	281,000	512,000
13/09/2024	Fox League	LIVE: NRL: QF PANTHERS V ROOSTERS	274,000	485,000

Very interesting that the BVOD audience proportion of reached individuals who watch a % amount of the total match broadcast is both more and a bit closer across the two sports, when compared to linear TV. (54% in aggregate for AFL, 58% in aggregate for NRL).

For linear TV it's about 40% and 47%.

Both increase to above 50% but AFL increases.

Not sure what to read into it, maybe other than people that still watch linear TV are probably older and that might bleed into their switch on/switch off habits.

 

[Bjo187]

Very interesting that the BVOD audience proportion of reached individuals who watch a % amount of the total match broadcast is both more and a bit closer across the two sports, when compared to linear TV. (54% in aggregate for AFL, 58% in aggregate for NRL).

For linear TV it's about 40% and 47%.

Both increase to above 50% but AFL increases.

Not sure what to read into it, maybe other than people that still watch linear TV are probably older and that might bleed into their switch on/switch off habits.

I think people flick off easily during ad breaks on normal tv with the controller, streaming is a bit more clunky going to your phone.

Plus streaming would be a more rusted on audience I'd think, less flickers. Picture if you are out somewhere, you check the footy on your phone, you aren't then gonna flick around the stations like you would at home with the tv remote.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I think people flick off easily during ad breaks on normal tv with the controller, streaming is a bit more clunky going to your phone.

Plus streaming would be a more rusted on audience I'd think, less flickers. Picture if you are out somewhere, you check the footy on your phone, you aren't then gonna flick around the stations like you would at home with the tv remote.

I'm assuming this is also the Kayo app through things like a Chromecast or Smart TV's though, or even a computer and URL, with or without an HDMI cord. Some would be watching mobile, but I doubt it's a lot, and not many people watching through mobile is why the whole Telstra streaming element was folded into Kayo years ago anyway (wasn't worth the while with such few numbers).

 

[The Educator]

Very interesting that the BVOD audience proportion of reached individuals who watch a % amount of the total match broadcast is both more and a bit closer across the two sports, when compared to linear TV. (54% in aggregate for AFL, 58% in aggregate for NRL).

For linear TV it's about 40% and 47%.

Both increase to above 50% but AFL increases.

Not sure what to read into it, maybe other than people that still watch linear TV are probably older and that might bleed into their switch on/switch off habits.

Potentially people streaming via subscription are more committed and thus more likely to watch most of the game. It could also reflect a reach inflation on FTA from surfers with an superficial or even accidental engagement

 

[The_Wookie]

Interesting to see 7 plus finally streaming the brownlow and grand final. The brownlow reached over 3 million people last night. I think the streaming figure on the far right is + average streaming audience, but not completely sure.

View attachment 2120462

the right figure is average, and included in the average figure. The reach figure includes BVOD

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Potentially people streaming via subscription are more committed and thus more likely to watch most of the game. It could also reflect a reach inflation on FTA from surfers with an superficial or even accidental engagement

It also proves that given the very similar numbers (54% vs 58%) and the fact that Kayo both don't run ads between goals, and the average human value isn't considering that their home team plays 23*3 hours of "content" vs an NRL team that plays 26*2 hours of content (and thus the AFL is more "value for money"), the fact that the AFL gets more money in an TV deal is simply a reflection of the fact that it is the more supported sport, the more watched sport, despite the misinterpretation of the NRL etc.

You could, for instance, make AFL games 10 minutes long in a 10 minute broadcast, and average viewership levels would approach 100% of reach viewership levels. Thus, the average may be higher than the AFL/NRL but because the reach is lower than the AFL/NRL, you couldn't claim that because the average is higher, it is the bigger sport.

 

[The Educator]

I suspect another factor for the AFL's extra lift in finals is the absence of an FTA streaming option. There is an incentive for some people to hold on to a Kayo subscription where the equivalent NRL fan can get all finals through 9 streaming

I am guessing with the new deal next year will see:
-a transfer of some of 7's audience to Kayo, lured by the superior commentary for the national broadcasts
-a transfer of some of the Kayo audience back to 7, with those motivated to get Kayo because they don't have an aerial now able to stream the 7 broadcasts

Will be a watch-and-see during the season but I suspect that there will be some shift back from Kayo to 7plus come finals time.

 

[Bjo187]

I heard today from the lions CEO that the cats v lions final outrated the nrl final on at the same time, in Brisbane. So that's good if that's the case.

I also heard from Peter v'landy's that the nrl rates at 1 million in Sydney and the afl 23k in Sydney. Trump 2.0 surely talking shit again, which he always does around tv ratings.

 

[Angus Young]

So is it fair to say 7´s huge investment into the AFL rights has been/will be well worth it?

 

[The Educator]

Also, I am reading elsewhere NRL numpties wondering why they get higher ratings in the regular season but not in finals.

It is so frighteningly stupid.

The answer of course is - you don't.

Foxtel released figures for the home and away season for both codes recently with the AFL having 6.1 billion minutes streamed compared to 5 billion for the NRL.

AFL and NRL premiership seasons break audience records for Foxtel, streaming dominates viewing | Mi3

Foxtel has had a stellar winter sports season in 2024, with both the Toyota AFL Premiership and NRL Telstra Premiership breaking records as the most watched of all time on its platforms - Foxtel, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go and Kayo Sports.

www.mi-3.com.au

Given that NRL is played over 27 weekends (actually 28 but round down the vegas round to 1), and the AFL over 25, these numbers equate to an average of 4.07 million hours for the AFL and 3.09 million for the NRL per weekend.

Yet again, a third bigger.

While reach is the best comparator of audience for stand alone games, volume is appropriate over the season

Indeed, Kayo a few years back released that the average AFL and NRL fans watched 3.5 hours per week.

AUSSIES CAN’T GET ENOUGH SPORT ON KAYO

media.kayosports.com.au

This makes perfect sense. Statistically few people sit down and watch a whole round of either the AFL or NRL. Even for those that do, the AFL fan cannot do so, which brings their potential viewing down towards the NRL figure.

There is no reason to think that this has changed much. If we go with the 3.5 figure, there are roughly 1.16 million AFL kayo / fox streaming viewers and 882K NRL ones.

If we take these estimates with the reach figures from the first 6 finals in each code:

-63 percent of the 1.16 million AFL kayo / fox streaming viewers tuned in to each match on average
-58 percent of the 882K million of the NRL kayo / foxtel streaming viewers on average

So, really, very marginal difference from the regular season - maybe a slightly better outcome for the AFL primarily on account of not having an alternative streaming option.

Other reason could include home state FTA broadcasting approach in the AFL (and related big vic clubs getting a lot of the national FTA broadcasts) encourages less people to get kayo during the regular season relative to the NRL

 

[The Educator]

I heard today from the lions CEO that the cats v lions final outrated the nrl final on at the same time, in Brisbane. So that's good if that's the case.

There was minimal overlap but the AFL game was actually less "prime time". Great result still

 

[The Educator]

So is it fair to say 7´s huge investment into the AFL rights has been/will be well worth it?

Potentially. The unknown factor is how much foxtel's own broadcasts of the prime time games will encourage people switching over to kayo given how insufferable 7's coverage is

 

[Bjo187]

There was minimal overlap but the AFL game was actually less "prime time". Great result still

Yeah sorry, I might have put words in his mouth he just said it outrated the nrl final in Brisbane. I think just the end and start of the two games overlapped. Footy is doing well in Queensland though, my leagiue mate up there was secretly upset about how much coverage they are getting and how all Queenslanders are jumping on the bandwagon.