2025 TV Ratings

[The_Wookie]

 

[The_Wookie]

The 2025 #PacificChampionships were watched by an aggregate audience of more than 3 million on Nine, plus more on Foxtel/Kayo/SkyNZ and others in PNG/Fiji.The reported VOZ/FTA AU audience of 3.038m is up 2.3% on the 2024 series - even without Australia competing - with yesterdays matches still to be consolidated.

 

[Gizmo]

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before​

The owner of Foxtel, the AFL’s major broadcast partner, believes it is paying too much for the rights following its decision to pull the plug on a second domestic soccer deal in Europe over financial concerns.

Two senior media industry sources, who requested anonymity to discuss contractual matters, said Foxtel’s British owner, sports streaming giant DAZN, felt it was overpaying for a domestic product with limited scope for subscription growth, and could seek to claw back money from the agreement.

DAZN, which bought Foxtel for an enterprise value of $3.4 billion last December, inherited the AFL rights for which Seven and Foxtel paid a combined $4.5 billion over seven years, to 2031. Previous reports put Foxtel’s contribution at about $418 million a year, or almost $3 billion in total.

Five senior sports industry sources said it was widely accepted that Foxtel had been pushed to its upper limits after a massive offer from Paramount that would have yielded $6 billion over 10 years.

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before

The British sports streaming giant has recently terminated domestic soccer deals in France and Belgium.

www.theage.com.au

Bad luck, DAZN. That's the deal that was signed.

The next deal might not be so good though. And this news might not be so good for the NRL's upcoming deal.

 

[bigleague]

Bad luck, DAZN. That's the deal that was signed.

The next deal might not be so good though. And this news might not be so good for the NRL's upcoming deal.

The problem they face is the $3.4bn price they paid for Foxtel is underpinned by the afl & nrl rights, they can’t really afford to lose either of them. If there is competition for the nrl rights they are going to have to find the money from somewhere or potentially face hefty asset write downs.

 

[hampton]

I wonder if dazn are looking at their ratings for afl games vs nrl games and wondering why they’re paying so much for afl.

Problem for dazn is that they won’t want to pay the nrl the same as what they’re now paying the afl, even though that’s what the nrl will be demanding and more considering the bigger ratings they get. There’s no way dazn can afford to lose the nrl rights.

Nrl has more leverage they could go elsewhere - Stan are making a big play, paramount/10 is another one that will likely make a play.

It points to a scenario where either dazn keep paying afl as per the existing agreement and potentially lose the nrl if they don’t want to pay up (can’t afford to lose nrl though so unlikely), or pay up and take the L, or dazn pushes to reduce the afl package and then try to win the nrl rights at this reduced rate.

 

[bigleague]

I wonder if dazn are looking at their ratings for afl games vs nrl games and wondering why they’re paying so much for afl.

Problem for dazn is that they won’t want to pay the nrl the same as what they’re now paying the afl, even though that’s what the nrl will be demanding and more considering the bigger ratings they get. There’s no way dazn can afford to lose the nrl rights.

Nrl has more leverage they could go elsewhere.

It points to a scenario where either dazn keep paying afl as per the existing agreement and potentially lose the nrl, or dazn pushes to reduce the afl package and then try to win the nrl rights at this reduced rate.

The Foxtel ratings are rarely published anymore, so you don’t know how the afl is rating relative to the nrl. Of the finals ratings that have been published they were both very strong.

The afl is only in its first year, I would assume that given fox paid up soo much to secure exclusive Saturday games for the first time, they would expect subscriber growth over the length of the deal, not all at once. Fox can’t afford to lose either of them, but it is in the interests of both codes that they remain on the same pay service, as there is some audience cross over that ultimately benefits them both in selling their games.

 

[hampton]

The Foxtel ratings are rarely published anymore, so you don’t know how the afl is rating relative to the nrl. Of the finals ratings that have been published they were both very strong.

The afl is only in its first year, I would assume that given fox paid up soo much to secure exclusive Saturday games for the first time, they would expect subscriber growth over the length of the deal, not all at once. Fox can’t afford to lose either of them, but it is in the interests of both codes that they remain on the same pay service, as there is some audience cross over that ultimately benefits them both in selling their games.

Correct if fox wants to be the home of sport in Australia it must have both afl and nrl. Nrl has traditionally been the Crown Jewels of foxtel losing it would be an absolute shitshow for them to lose it and they’d want to avoid that at all cost. So what this will mean moving forward for both codes who knows.

 

[Bjo187]

Geez our resident leagiues are all over this story worried it might stuff up their future tv rights money .

How ridiculous though, dazn buy a company that they know have this deal about to start in 2025 and are now complaining the deal is too much? They just had a record year for AFL audiences on Foxtel too, what were they expecting?

I hope the afl don’t budge and hold them to it, they probably wanna weasel the afl down so they can pay for the nrl rights, ie. the afl's main competitor. Surely the contract is water tight.

 

[MightyHawks]

If you want to keep the broadcaster happy, the first thing the AFL can do is to add new content:
Origin
2 Wildcard Finals
Tassie Team

All of those are good for Channel 7.

Not sure how much any of those things drive increased Fox/Kayo subscriptions, but more viewers increases value of the advertising and sponsorships.

Fast tracking a 20th team adds a 10th game, but even if the AFL was rushing a team in - 2030 is only the second last year of the deal.

 

[Slax]

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before​

The owner of Foxtel, the AFL’s major broadcast partner, believes it is paying too much for the rights following its decision to pull the plug on a second domestic soccer deal in Europe over financial concerns.

Two senior media industry sources, who requested anonymity to discuss contractual matters, said Foxtel’s British owner, sports streaming giant DAZN, felt it was overpaying for a domestic product with limited scope for subscription growth, and could seek to claw back money from the agreement.

DAZN, which bought Foxtel for an enterprise value of $3.4 billion last December, inherited the AFL rights for which Seven and Foxtel paid a combined $4.5 billion over seven years, to 2031. Previous reports put Foxtel’s contribution at about $418 million a year, or almost $3 billion in total.

Five senior sports industry sources said it was widely accepted that Foxtel had been pushed to its upper limits after a massive offer from Paramount that would have yielded $6 billion over 10 years.

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before

The British sports streaming giant has recently terminated domestic soccer deals in France and Belgium.

www.theage.com.au

Bad luck, DAZN. That's the deal that was signed.

The next deal might not be so good though. And this news might not be so good for the NRL's upcoming deal.

There's always exit clauses in these deals.

If they are being held to it watch them demand far more big games on Saturday nights and far less influence in fixturing to Ch7. So if you have got used to FTA matches as supported of a big Victorian club, you'll be needing a subscription soon watch for a big shake up of fixturing, with Ch7 & FTA the big losers

 

[Slax]

If you want to keep the broadcaster happy, the first thing the AFL can do is to add new content:
Origin
2 Wildcard Finals
Tassie Team

All of those are good for Channel 7.

Not sure how much any of those things drive increased Fox/Kayo subscriptions, but more viewers increases value of the advertising and sponsorships.

Fast tracking a 20th team adds a 10th game, but even if the AFL was rushing a team in - 2030 is only the second last year of the deal.

Those 3 ideas are as yet unproven if they'll work.

Origin as an ongoing concept I can't see working.
Wildcard has zero benefit to Foxtel
Tassie won't bring in that many new viewers.

Best way is to flip the Friday night games. Fewer games for bigger clubs in those primetime marketing spots. Will definitely annoy some as it'll impact their bottom line, but will be a bonus for smaller clubs who will get more exposure. This though will impact the AFL's much loved boasting about crowds as they will also take a hit

 

[Slax]

The other side of this whole deal, is are they looking to cut back on some things?

AFLW broadcasting runs at a hefty loss for them, so if AFL want that to continue to be broadcasted they'll pay for it?

Broadcasting matches from one off venues is a loss maker. Alice Springs, Barossa Valley & Cairns require temporary infrastructure to be built then dismantled making Broadcasting those matches a loss maker. Again if AFL wants them, then pay the broadcaster.

Ch7 gets far more given it pays only a third of the bill. Fixturing will be the big one to watch for changes.

 

[The Educator]

The other side of this whole deal, is are they looking to cut back on some things?

AFLW broadcasting runs at a hefty loss for them, so if AFL want that to continue to be broadcasted they'll pay for it?

Broadcasting matches from one off venues is a loss maker. Alice Springs, Barossa Valley & Cairns require temporary infrastructure to be built then dismantled making Broadcasting those matches a loss maker. Again if AFL wants them, then pay the broadcaster.

Ch7 gets far more given it pays only a third of the bill. Fixturing will be the big one to watch for changes.

The contract would specify the cost of existing the contract is, and also would specify their obligations in terms of broadcasting.

Foxtel agreed to a deal in a competitive tender and had to top up the deal to beat paramount. They'll keep paying what they committed to and at least meet what they are obligated to deliver (and still have an incentive to do it well)

Almost certainly this is about trying to low ball the NRL.

 

[The Educator]

Geez our resident leagiues are all over this story worried it might stuff up their future tv rights money .

How ridiculous though, dazn buy a company that they know have this deal about to start in 2025 and are now complaining the deal is too much? They just had a record year for AFL audiences on Foxtel too, what were they expecting?

I hope the afl don’t budge and hold them to it, they probably wanna weasel the afl down so they can pay for the nrl rights, ie. the afl's main competitor. Surely the contract is water tight.

What is actually going on here is channel 9 (owner of age / smh) and DAZN are both trying to diminish the value of the NRL rights they are competing for.

I am sure the AFL contract is water tight. The break clause will be prohibitive for DAZN.....and DAZN just purchased foxtel where by far its biggest asset was a 7 year AFL rights deal so it is ridiculous to think it would be getting rid of the rights

 

[Scorpio]

The NRL negotiations are the hidden factor in this article, and Nine (via Sam McClure) are being a bit mischievous by throwing some shade at DAZN and their handling of the AFL. Jeff Browne is an old Nine person as well, so I don't think its a coincidence his name is mentioned.

 

[The_Wookie]

Saturday #AuSportTV

#Adelaide500
D1 Race
Seven 334k (BVOD 26k) Reach 1.112m

Supports 217k

#AFLW Grand Final
Roos/Lions
Seven 358k (BVOD 35k) Reach 1.103m
Pre 232k
Post 262k

#AusPGA Nine 125k

Data: VOZ

 

[The_Wookie]

Monday, 1 December 2025 Supercars full throttle on Seven and 7plus Sport

• More than 8.7 million reached across season
• Biggest Bathurst 1000 race audience since 2016
• bp Adelaide Grand Final reaches 2.37 million

The Seven Network’s live and free coverage of the Repco Supercars Championship was a hit with sport fans this year, reaching more than 8.7 million people across the season and finishing with the highest rated Grand Final since 2021.

Seven’s bp Adelaide Grand Final coverage on the weekend reached 2.37 million, which was up 31% year-on-year. The race itself had an average total TV audience of 498,000, which was up 17%. While on 7plus Sport, the round’s audience grew 138% year-on-year.

Across the 2025 season, the races alone had an average total TV audience of 548,600, while each weekend had an average total TV audience of 411,400, up 17% year-on-year and the biggest since 2021. Streaming on 7plus Sport was up 111% compared to the 2024 season.

The Repco Bathurst 1000 delivered strong growth for Seven, with the race recording its biggest audience since 2016. More than 5.78 million people tuned in throughout the round, which was up 19% year-on-year. The Great Race itself had an average total TV audience of 1.54 million, which was up 31% on 2024. On 7plus Sport, the race delivered Supercars’ biggest streaming audience ever on the platform.

The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 delivered the biggest year-on-year audience growth for any round this season, with the total TV audience up 39% to 327,100. The round reached 1.98 million viewers and had a 219% increase on 7plus Sport.

The Sydney 500 started the 2025 season strong in February, reaching 2.26 million across the weekend, which was up 41% year-on-year. The round had an average total TV audience of 296,500, up 21%, while the race alone had a total TV audience of 327,400, up 7%.

 

[The_Wookie]

Thursday #AuSportTV
#Ashes2025
Seven
2T D1 S1 831k (BVOD 148k) Reach 1.694m
2T D1 S2 1.032m (BVOD 161k) Reach 1.881m
2T D1 S3 1.265m (BVOD 178k) Reach 2.811m

#AOpenGolf
Nine 138k

Data: VOZ

 

[The_Wookie]

Friday #AuSportTV
#Ashes2025
Seven
T2 D2 S1 902k (BVOD 159k) Reach 1.87m
T2 D2 S2 1.151m (BVOD 184k) Reach 1.991m
T2 D2 S3 1.411m (BVOD 211k) Reach 2.988m
Dinner 919k
Pre 315k

#WBBL
Renegades/Sixers 168k

Data: VOZ

 

[The_Wookie]

Monday, 8 December 2025

Aussies bowled over by Seven’s Ashes coverage

• Gabba Test reaches 8.06 million
• Seven’s best start to the Summer of Cricket ever
• Record Cricket audiences on 7plus Sport

Australia’s second showdown with England in The Ashes bowled over cricket fans, with 8.06 million tuning in across Seven and 7plus Sport over the past four days.

The Gabba Test scored an average national total TV audience of 1.21 million, up 6% on the First Test and up 36% on last year’s Second Test between Australia and India. It was Seven’s highest rated Gabba Test ever, as well as the highest rated Day-Night Test. While on 7plus, 194,000 tuned in on average to each session, which was up 178% on last year.

The highest rated session was Day 4, Session 2, which was the #1 program in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers on Sunday, with a national reach of 2.51 million and a total TV audience of 1.54 million*. The session also claimed a record Test audience on 7plus Sport, averaging 238,000.

Seven’s Head of Cricket, Joel Starcevic, said: “Brisbane delivered another unforgettable chapter of The Ashes, with Mitchell Starc producing a performance for the ages to once again claim Player of the Match honours.

“Steve Smith and Jofra Archer reignited their spicy Ashes rivalry late on day four, which has us all pumped for the next Ashes installment – the Adelaide Test.

“The Gabba Test was elevated by cricket’s #1 commentary team, with world-leading analyst Stuart Broad, the unmatched insight of Ricky Ponting, the expertise of Matthew Hayden, Aaron Finch, Trent Copeland and Simon Katich, and the brilliance of Alison Mitchell, Alister Nicholson and James Brayshaw guiding viewers through every defining moment,” he said.

The Seven Network is having its best start to the summer of cricket ever, with the first two Tests averaging 1.19 million nationally in total TV, up 50% year-on-year, while streaming on 7plus Sport is up 212%.

The First Test, at Optus Stadium in Perth, reached 6.2 million Australians and had an average total TV audience of 1.15 million across the sessions, up 57% on last year. Across the two days, an average of 186,000 people streamed each session on 7plus Sport, which was up 232% on last year.

Seven’s big summer of cricket continues tomorrow, with the beginning of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Finals Series, as the Perth Scorchers take on the Melbourne Stars, live and free on 7mate and 7plus Sport from 7.00pm AEDT. The WBBL Final is on this Saturday, 13 December, live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus sport.

The opening match of the Big Bash League (BBL) between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers kicks off at 7.00pm AEDT on Sunday, 14 December, live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.

The Ashes continues Wednesday, 17 December, with the Third Test at Adelaide Oval starting at 9.30am AEDT, live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.

The Gabba Test ratings:

Day 4 (Sunday)**:

• Session 2 (Sunday): #1 program in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers. National reach 2.51 million, national audience 1.54 million
  
  
• Session 1 (Sunday): National reach 2.39 million, national audience 1.19 million

Day 3 (Saturday):

• Session 3 (Saturday): #1 program in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers. National reach 2.95 million, national audience 1.37 million
  
  
• Session 2 (Saturday): National reach 2.24 million, national audience 1.33 million –
  
  
• Session 1 (Saturday): National reach 2.24 million, national audience 1.18 million – up 28% year-on-year.

Day 2 (Friday):

• Session 3 (Friday): #1 program in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers. National reach 2.99 million, national audience 1.41 million – up 36% year-on-year.
  
  
• Session 2 (Friday): National reach 1.99 million, national audience 1.15 million – up 11% year-on-year.
  
  
• Session 1 (Friday): National reach 1.87 million, national audience 902,000 – up 12% year-on-year.

Day 1 (Thursday):

• Day 1, Session 3 (Thursday): #1 program in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers. National reach 2.81 million, national audience 1.27 million – up 28% year-on-year.
  
  
• Day 1, Session 2 (Thursday): National reach 1.88 million, national audience 1.03 million – up 25% year-on-year.
  
  
• Day 1, Session 1 (Thursday): National reach 1.69 million, national audience 831,000 – up 52% year-on-year.

 

[hampton]

Cricket is on fire

 

[Fire]

Cricket is on fire

test cricket certainly is!

LOIs, which are locked away on pay TV, are dead.

There is a glaring lesson here.

 

[Fire]

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before​

The owner of Foxtel, the AFL’s major broadcast partner, believes it is paying too much for the rights following its decision to pull the plug on a second domestic soccer deal in Europe over financial concerns.

Two senior media industry sources, who requested anonymity to discuss contractual matters, said Foxtel’s British owner, sports streaming giant DAZN, felt it was overpaying for a domestic product with limited scope for subscription growth, and could seek to claw back money from the agreement.

DAZN, which bought Foxtel for an enterprise value of $3.4 billion last December, inherited the AFL rights for which Seven and Foxtel paid a combined $4.5 billion over seven years, to 2031. Previous reports put Foxtel’s contribution at about $418 million a year, or almost $3 billion in total.

Five senior sports industry sources said it was widely accepted that Foxtel had been pushed to its upper limits after a massive offer from Paramount that would have yielded $6 billion over 10 years.

AFL’s biggest broadcast partner isn’t happy with its deal – and it’s pulled the plug before

The British sports streaming giant has recently terminated domestic soccer deals in France and Belgium.

www.theage.com.au

Bad luck, DAZN. That's the deal that was signed.

The next deal might not be so good though. And this news might not be so good for the NRL's upcoming deal.

uh.... subscriber growth? They are not in a growth industry here.

They are a sports delivery network, everything else they provide is stake knives. No one is getting foxtel for comedy central in the era of streaming. This has to be a PR move to try and drive down sports broadcasting costs. The line about it ebing a domestic product doesn't make any sense. Who gives a shit. They'll pay whatever they can to stay within an inch of going under, until the AFL can make more money elsewhere.

 

[The Educator]

Cricket is on fire

Yep, getting AFL like reach figures

 

[hampton]

Yep, getting AFL like reach figures

It's funny that, the longer the program the more opportunity for people to tune in the higher the reach. Who would've thought.