Game One of the 2010 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series has smashed ratings records with an average 2.455 million viewers across the five capital cities tuning in to last night’s Nine Network broadcast of the match.
The average audience of 2.455 million was the Series’ highest ever since the introduction of OzTAM ratings and represents an increase of 133,000 viewers on the previous record of 2.322 million, set by Game One last year.
The five-capital-city peak audience figure of 2.809 million was also a record, eclipsing the previous record peak of 2.697 million set by Game Three in 2002.
Across the five capital cities combined, the match dominated its timeslot, winning a 48.1% audience share, while across regional NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, an average 1.154 million viewers tuned in (2009: 1.156 million), which peaked at 1.413 million.
At ANZ Stadium in Sydney, a crowd of 68,753 – the second highest Game One crowd in the Series history (2006, Game One: 72.773) – defied the weather to watch the XXXX Queensland Maroons defeat the NSW Aussie Blues, 28-24.
In Sydney, the Nine Network’s live broadcast of the match averaged 1,179,000 viewers, a 19 per cent increase on the previous year (2009: 991,000), the program winning its timeslot with a 63.1 per cent audience share across the free-to-air networks.
The match also dominated the market in Brisbane taking a 70.8 per cent audience share with an average of 824,000 viewers (2009: 845,000).
In Melbourne, an average 328,000 viewers tuned in to the live broadcast of the match (2009: 330,000).
“This is a very pleasing way to kick off 30 Years of Origin,” ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr, said today.
“To record the highest average and peak audiences since the OzTAM ratings system was introduced is a significant achievement and demonstrates the passion Rugby League fans have for Origin.
“Over the past 30 years, Origin has produced some of Rugby League’s best moments and last night’s historic 3D broadcast was no exception.
“The ratings do not take into account 3D viewers yet they are still our highest ever which, along with the second highest Game One crowd, is a reminder of the incredibly strong support that there is for Rugby League in Australia.”
Sydney | Brisbane | Melbourne | Adelaide | Perth | Regional | |
| Match Average | 1,179,000 | 824,000 | 328,000 | 62,000 | 62,000 | 1,154,000 |
| Match Peak | 1,308,000 | 901,000 | 412,000 | 102,000 | 87,000 | 1,413,000 |
- Regional Includes: Regional NSW, Regional Queensland, Regional Victoria and Tasmania
- Figures only take into account 2D broadcast numbers
