Figures released by Sky NZ show the NRL enjoying a big bump in tv ratings on Sky in NZ, but Rugby is maintaining a small lead as it hangs on.
The data shows that while Rugby Union leads in linear television, its League that hold the front position in streaming. In both cases, not by much.
- Almost 1.59 million New Zealanders watched NRL matches Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open in the first 10 rounds of the competition, a rise of 14% from 2023. .
- The Warriors-Raiders NRL game in round three was the most-watched game of the competition so far, attracting an audience of 469,800 people with a further 63,800 people streaming on Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.
- The Warriors v Sharks match on March 8 was the second most popular with 461,100 people watching and more than 64,280 people streaming, while the Warriors v Sea Eagles match on April 13 came in third with 433,800 people watching and nearly 74,500 people streaming.
- Ten rounds into the Super Rugby Pacific competition, nearly 1.67 million New Zealanders had watched the competition on Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open, a lift of 11% compared to 2023
- The Chiefs v Crusaders match on 29 March has proven the most popular match of the 2024 Super competition so far, with over 482,000 people tuning in throughout the match and over 59,400 people streaming on Sky Sport Now and Sky Go. Chiefs v Hurricanes on 13 April was the second most popular, with nearly 470,100 people watching and over 54,100 people streaming, while Blues v Crusaders on 23 March came in third, with just over 445,000 people watching and over 52,800 people streaming.
