Channel 7 sets Rugby League World Cup records across semi-final weekend – Channel 7 says its coverage delivered the most watched men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup matches ever recorded, alongside a new international rugby league streaming high on 7plus.
Australia’s 44-12 win over Samoa on Sunday reached 3.68 million viewers and averaged 2.05 million. Seven says that made it the most watched Rugby League World Cup match to date.
The scale of the 7plus audience is also significant for the broadcaster’s sport strategy. The men’s semi-final drew 733,000 viewers on the service, which Seven described as the largest streaming audience for both a Rugby League World Cup match and an international rugby league game.
Women’s semi-final sets another record
Australia’s women’s semi-final against Fiji reached 1.81 million viewers and recorded an average audience of 903,000. A further 241,000 viewers watched the match through 7plus.
Seven says the result made Australia v Fiji the most watched women’s Rugby League World Cup match on record. The Jillaroos recovered from an 8-8 half-time score before taking control of the match and booking a place in the final.
New Zealand v Tonga leads Saturday
New Zealand’s victory over Tonga was Saturday night’s most watched program. The men’s semi-final reached 2.84 million viewers, averaged 1.47 million and drew a 7plus audience of 531,000.
Both men’s semi-finals won all key demographics measured by Seven: people aged 25 to 54, people aged 16 to 39 and grocery shoppers.
Seven responds to the record audiences
Seven Network Head of Rugby League World Cup Lesley Tapsall said the weekend demonstrated the national interest in the tournament.
It’s been an incredible weekend for rugby league, with audiences right across the country turning to Seven in record numbers for two exhilarating semi-finals between Australia and Samoa and the Jillaroos and Fiji.
Lesley Tapsall, Seven Network Head of Rugby League World Cup
To see the men’s semi-final reach more than two million Australians, setting a new record for the biggest audience ever for a Rugby League World Cup match, is an extraordinary result.
Lesley Tapsall, Seven Network Head of Rugby League World Cup
Tapsall also highlighted the women’s result.
The women’s semi-final was another landmark moment, with our Jillaroos taking on Fiji in front of a record-breaking 902,000 viewers – the biggest audience ever for a women’s Rugby League World Cup match.
Lesley Tapsall, Seven Network Head of Rugby League World Cup
These numbers reflect the incredible appetite for international rugby league and the growing interest in both the men’s and women’s games. We’re incredibly proud to deliver these moments to Australians live and free, and there’s still so much more to come on Seven this week.
Lesley Tapsall, Seven Network Head of Rugby League World Cup
Finals week on Channel 7 and 7plus
Wheelchair semi-final coverage continues on Tuesday from 5.00pm AEDT, when France faces Ireland before England meets Australia. Both matches will be shown on 7mate and 7plus.
The wheelchair final follows at 7.30pm AEDT on Friday. The tournament then concludes with an Australia-New Zealand double-header at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Coverage of the women’s final begins at 3.30pm AEDT, followed by the men’s final from 6.45pm AEDT. Both matches are available live on Channel 7 and 7plus, with 7mate carrying the opening portion of the men’s coverage in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Seven’s semi-final presentation team included 7Sport hosts Mel McLaughlin and Matt White, Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington and The Agenda Setters Rugby League host Corey Parker.
For more Australian television audience results, visit TV Central’s Ratings section. Stream the remaining tournament coverage on 7plus Sport.