2020 AFL Crowds & Ratings Thread

[Rob]

Don't 2 Melbourne clubs rate lower vs an Interstate/Vic duo?

Yeah, a Brisbane v Richmond GF would have had another few hundred thousand watching in Brisbane alone. And TBH, probably more watching in other states as well.

It was a huge number given that.

 

[Our Game]

The crowd was the lowest in 103 years since the 28,152 crowd at the 1917 GF Collingwood v Fitzroy at the MCG!Collingwood won by 39 pts.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

AFL Grand Final 2020 TV ratings: Seven share close to 80% in Melbourne

Biggest AFL Grand Final TV audience since 2016

www.mediaweek.com.au

3,812,000 (Metro 2,979,000 Regional 833,000)
The 2020 audience is well up on 2019 when 2,939,000 tuned in with 2,197,000 in metro markets. 2020 is the biggest AFL Grand Final audience since 2016 when 4,121,000 were watching Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney Swans.

TV ratings breakdown by market:
Sydney 413,000
Melbourne 1,583,000
Brisbane 383,000
Adelaide 265,000
Perth 335,000

Queensland 141,000
Northern NSW 131,000
Southern NSW 120,000
Victoria 260,000
Tasmania 98,000
Western Australia 82,000

So what did all these millions of extra people, that were supposed to tune into a night grand final, as TV industry types have been spruiking for years, that if we move from a day grand final to a night grand final it will be a massive boost to TV ratings and we will have record ratings, end up doing??

They are good ratings figure, sure, but they don't justify the bloviation for years by the TV industry types that the Grand Final has to be played at night to get some massive new growth figures.

 

[youneverknow22]

So what did all these millions of extra people, that were supposed to tune into a night grand final, as TV industry types have been spruiking for years, that if we move from a day grand final to a night grand final it will be a massive boost to TV ratings and we will have record ratings, end up doing??

They are good ratings figure, sure, but they don't justify the bloviation for years by the TV industry types that the Grand Final has to be played at night to get some massive new growth figures.

Counter-argument. Do you believe this exact same game would have rated as high on a Saturday afternoon? Of course not. Besides Sydney games, this grand final outrated every past grand final by at least 10%

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Counter-argument. Do you believe this exact same game would have rated as high on a Saturday afternoon? Of course not. Besides Sydney games, this grand final outrated every past grand final by at least 10%

That's that not the point. TV industry types for years have said it would be a massive number - no qualifications.

If Melbourne was locked up - yes. If it wasn't - no as people who have metres would probably have gone out to watch the game with mates so they don't register and Melbourne numbers would have been lower. Other states its probably a marginal difference.

 

[Rob]

That's that not the point. TV industry types for years have said it would be a massive number - no qualifications.

If Melbourne was locked up - yes. If it wasn't - no as people who have metres would probably have gone out to watch the game with mates so they don't register and Melbourne numbers would have been lower. Other states its probably a marginal difference.

Hang on a sec, we've had people all year downramping the league, saying how there will be so many asterisks attached to the premier, how it's not worth as much as any other flag, blah blah blah. I don't doubt there was an element of the population that saw the game as devalued.

Given the matchup - which is a pretty unattractive one from a national perspective - the numbers *were* huge. It gave Channel 7 the largest commercial prime time share in OZTAM history. A better matchup would have delivered 4m plus, sure. But you can't possibly say it was a failure.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Hang on a sec, we've had people all year downramping the league, saying how there will be so many asterisks attached to the premier, how it's not worth as much as any other flag, blah blah blah. I don't doubt there was an element of the population that saw the game as devalued.

Given the matchup - which is a pretty unattractive one from a national perspective - the numbers *were* huge. It gave Channel 7 the largest commercial prime time share in OZTAM history. A better matchup would have delivered 4m plus, sure. But you can't possibly say it was a failure.

I don't care what people have been saying this year.

TV industry types have been pushing a night GF for years because they believe it will produce massive record breaking numbers. There have never been any qualifications to what they have said. It didn't happen.

 

[BobbyMorri]

yeah. the numbers were good, but they are not the knockout punch to the day grand final. I would say they were below expectations.

The % of TV share is nothing. Netflix wasn't around in 2005 when Safin played Hewitt, for example.

 

[MattF185]

yeah. the numbers were good, but they are not the knockout punch to the day grand final. I would say they were below expectations.

The % of TV share is nothing. Netflix wasn't around in 2005 when Safin played Hewitt, for example.

Well Netflix was around in 2005. Just nobody used it.

 

[NoobPie]

yeah. the numbers were good, but they are not the knockout punch to the day grand final. I would say they were below expectations.

The % of TV share is nothing. Netflix wasn't around in 2005 when Safin played Hewitt, for example.

Yeah, the greatest prime time share in history is nothing. Good lord.

 

[BringBackTorps]

NRL GF's have commenced at 7pm on Sunday since 2013, & are averaging c. 3.3m (nationwide) on Ch.9 only.
No big ratings' bonanza for the NRL. In 2019, only 2.64m.

NRL Grand Final has lowest audience of the decade with 2.64m

• Last weekend’s AFL grand final had a 26 year low with a national audience of 2.939 million viewers

www.mediaweek.com.au

 

[Teen Wolf]

So what did all these millions of extra people, that were supposed to tune into a night grand final, as TV industry types have been spruiking for years, that if we move from a day grand final to a night grand final it will be a massive boost to TV ratings and we will have record ratings, end up doing??

They are good ratings figure, sure, but they don't justify the bloviation for years by the TV industry types that the Grand Final has to be played at night to get some massive new growth figures.

Got a quote from some of these "TV industry types" claiming a night grand final would draw millions more in ratings??

What's actually true is that we only need to go back a page in the thread to find a member of the barbecue brigade claiming ratings would decrease as a result of less parties being held at night. Couldn't have been more wrong.

 

[Our Game]

I think you will find the next TV rights will demand that the GF be at least a twilight match!

 

[The_Wookie]

I don't care what people have been saying this year.

TV industry types have been pushing a night GF for years because they believe it will produce massive record breaking numbers. There have never been any qualifications to what they have said. It didn't happen.

People have been blaming the lockdown for numerical increases all year - the same people that have claimed broadcast tv was dying now claim that people are forced to watch the AFL Grand Final because there was nothing else to do. While Melbourne was up - so was every other market, not to mention Brisbane had a record audience since 2004. This was the 4th highest audience measured by Oztam for an AFL Grand Final - with no non victorian teams playing.

I dont care how people spin this, the numbers are good.

 

[Aucklander]

I think you will find the the TV rights will demand that the GF be at least a twilight match!

That would be heaps better.

 

[Rob]

yeah. the numbers were good, but they are not the knockout punch to the day grand final. I would say they were below expectations.

The % of TV share is nothing. Netflix wasn't around in 2005 when Safin played Hewitt, for example.

It's not nothing at all, it's indicative of the entertainment industry in which the AFL operates. There are a lot more options in 2020 than there even were 10 years ago, let alone 20, 30 or 40. You can't not take it into account.

That being the case, you can't really do much better than the highest audience share in history. A better matchup would have got more watching sure, but I don't really understand how much more anyone would have expected. FWIW, I reckon it probably added 20% to the national audience.

 

[Walshawk]

Counter-argument. Do you believe this exact same game would have rated as high on a Saturday afternoon? Of course not. Besides Sydney games, this grand final outrated every past grand final by at least 10%

Yes because we are all stuck at home. Usually there would be tens, perhaps hundred of thousands at the pub who would not usually be counted in the figures. Plus the 100k who would usually be at the game. Reckon the 3.8m is disappointing.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Yes because we are all stuck at home. Usually there would be tens, perhaps hundred of thousands at the pub who would not usually be counted in the figures. Plus the 100k who would usually be at the game. Reckon the 3.8m is disappointing.

Those people still weren't counted this year ffs. People making this comment really must not understand how ratings data is collected.

 

[RedV3x]

Yes because we are all stuck at home.

Instead of being stuck at work etc etc.
That's why a night grand final rates higher - more people are able to watch it.
The reverse is also true. Take any nightly prime time show and it will fail on the daytime weekend.

 

[BringBackTorps]

1.

Take any nightly prime time show and it will fail on the daytime weekend.

Of course all programs rate better at night- that is why it is called Prime Time. This is not in dispute.

The GF argument, however, is that the GF is the exception to this general rule. The GF is an AF cultural phenomenon, ingrained since 1977.

This is because there is a long tradition of huge nos. of CASUALS/ONE-OFF's watching the daytime GF at MASS gatherings eg home big party/BBQ, GR Clubs' BBQ & kicking/handball "comps.", pubs & bars etc.; & far fewer of these casuals/one-offs would watch if the GF started at night, in a more boozy atmosphere.
(Supported by the Morgan Poll in post# 856 above: 8.4m watched the 2017 GF, plus an additional 1.8m watch only the GF highlights. Total 10.2m).

Also, as per my posts #859 & 862, there are many other reasons why the daytime start is far more conducive to attracting, in larger nos., these mass family -atmosphere events in home parties & GR Clubs' BBQs.
There are far more females connected with GR Clubs now- Clubs don't want a more boozy Night GF, increasing inappropriate behaviour.

For the big gatherings in pubs & bars (where food is expensive), a night time GF would obviously be a far more boozy/alcohol-influenced event. It would deter many casuals/one-offs from going.


2. Many polls, for decades, have been conducted as to whether the GF should start at night- a big majority want the GF to remain an afternoon start.

Herald Sun J. Ralph 25.10

Ralph said a night time GF "...must never happen again", with lengthy description of the many reasons.

No Cookies | Herald Sun

Breaking News from Melbourne and Victoria | Herald Sun

www.heraldsun.com.au

(Behind paywall- can anyone open, & post here).

Melb. Radio 693 has just had a GF poll (albeit unscientific)
The vast majority wanted the GF to start in the afternoon, as usual.

The VFL/AFL clearly knows the sentiments of the public & GR Clubs- they have actually referred to these public sentiments, when giving reasons for not moving the GF to much later.
The AFL don't want the GF to be affected by dew & a slippery ball- they are opposed to the scrappy tackleball/stoppages low scoring crap. With dew, there would be more of the congested ugliness.

The GF will remain an afternoon start.



3. Most post 24.10 MSM commentary is still against a night time GF.

Richmond were great but let’s never have another night grand final

These Richmond Tigers will be remembered as a dynasty after securing their third premiership in four years with a stirring 31-point win against Geelong at a historic Gabba night grand final, but the time and location of the game didn’t sit well with fans.

www.news.com.au

Interestingly, Vic. LNP Opposition Leader, M. O'Brien, is also strongly against a night time GF. Politicians can sniff the wind.


WWOS. 25.10.20

Both C. Wilson (who has, for decades, had excellent connections inside the AFLHQ) & W. Aly both strongly oppose moving the GF to a night time start. The actual game of AF, & what actually happens on the field, is more important than an "event" which shows pretty fireworks & flashy neon lighting.

Caro lashes 'sellout' night AFL Grand Final

'It's a game, not an event'

wwos.nine.com.au

EDIT:

4. AFL Fans Association 2018

The AFLFA has had multiple polls of its members over several years, as to whether the GF time should be altered from an afternoon start- all polls clearly show "...the vast majority of fans say they want to retain the 2.30 start".

This AFLFA link also has the results of the AFL's own polls, & Herald Sun polls (which often have 14K+ respondents), with 66-73% voting for the afternoon start to remain.

Media Release – Grand Final Time – Official website of the AFLFA

5. The 2020 NRL GF rated 2.967 nationwide (all metro & regions) on Ch.9.

Underwhelming no. for the AF minority who are night GF devotees- but they will probably not be deterred from whinging again for the next 40 years for a night AFL GF... "oooh the fireworks & neon lights look so pretty".

Sunday Ratings | NRL GRAND FINAL reigns supreme | TV Blackbox

The NRL GRAND FINAL was the only thing on television when compared to the rest of the schedule, but it couldn't compete with Saturday's first primetime AFL GRAND FINAL

tvblackbox.com.au

 

[Our Game]

Michael O'Brien WHO?LOL

 

[Our Game]

NRL Ratings poor figure in Sydney!
Only 1.7 Million behind the AFL in the capital cities and nearly one million overall!
So much for RL being the masters of sport on TV!

1

NRL GRAND FINAL DAY -MATCH

Nine

2,103,000

848,000

608,000

492,000

75,000

80,000

 

[RedV3x]

Of course all programs rate better at night- that is why it is called Prime Time. This is not in dispute.

Thus a night G.F. suits more people. Simple.

The GF argument, however, is that the GF is the exception to this general rule. The GF is an AF cultural phenomenon, ingrained since 1977.

This was NOT demonstrated by the Brisbane G.F.
Yes the AFL G.F. is an AUSTRALIAN event shown around Australia. it's impossible to have a common traditional time slot.
Times have changed. If you cannot attend the G.F. then most people are happy to watch it at the most convenient timeslot (evenings)
The Brisbane G.F. has proven that the AFL G.F. is transportable.
if you'd had the AFL G.F. in Perth you'd have 60k on a brilliant fine day and a dry night with it being being evening/night on the East coast.
Also you have to admit that the entertainment is better at night - no question.

 

[Rob]

NRL Ratings poor figure in Sydney!
Only 1.7 Million behind the AFL in the capital cities and nearly one million overall!
So much for RL being the masters of sport on TV!

1

NRL GRAND FINAL DAY -MATCH

Nine

2,103,000

848,000

608,000

492,000

75,000

80,000

Not quite 1.7m difference, it was about 800k in the 5 city metro and the same nationally.

Still, given the Storm were involved that is a pretty big gap.

 

[BobbyMorri]

It's not nothing at all, it's indicative of the entertainment industry in which the AFL operates. There are a lot more options in 2020 than there even were 10 years ago, let alone 20, 30 or 40. You can't not take it into account.

That being the case, you can't really do much better than the highest audience share in history. A better matchup would have got more watching sure, but I don't really understand how much more anyone would have expected. FWIW, I reckon it probably added 20% to the national audience.

For me, numbers are the more meaningful and way more important measure and, though they were good, they did not beat 2016. Others have said the same thing(Caroline Wilson).

share is great. fantastic. but shows like this always get a huge share. The NRL got 50% prime time share last night. . The aus open in 2017 got 55% for its 2.6 mil(which went 4 hours, despite having the season premiere of a celebrity show on another channel for 1.1m).

Sat night is dead night on TV anyway plus No sane TV company will fight the AFL grand final anyway. include a perfect lead-in(and out, with no work the next day) and TV ratings being, on average lower, and bang, the perfect recipe. % Shares normally take into account 2 numbers. the amount of people watching one show vs the amount watching anything else on tellie. If no one else is watching anything else on tellie for reasons, then it going to be higher.

I mean, I know it is a prime time(6-12) measure and that is important for the big wigs, but a Saturday afternoon final would also dominate audience share, perhaps even more. (yes, 91.2% for 2016 for its timeslot*)