After winning the ratings battle in 2015, online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has priced the NRL Grand Final as favourite to attract more viewers than the AFL Grand Final.
In 2015 the NRL attracted a peak audience of 4.4 million viewers compared to the AFL’s 3.9 million. The NRL also pipped the AFL with average audience, 3.6 million to 3.5 million.
The NRL Grand Final is the $1.50 favourite to again top peak view numbers, with the AFL priced at $2.50.
The NRL Grand Final is at longer odds to win the battle for average viewers, but remain the $1.68 favourite to the AFL’s $2.10.
Sportsbet reckons the NRL Grand Final will attract a peak audience of between 4.5 million and 5 million viewers, which is the $2.00 favourite, with more than 5 million paying $6.00.
The AFL Grand Final is expected to attract more than 4 million viewers, which is priced at $1.85, with between 3.5 million and 4 million next at $2.20.
“Hosting a Sunday night Grand Final gives the NRL a massive advantage in attracting the viewing public with an additional half-a-million viewers tuning in last year compared to the AFL decider,” saidsportsbet.com.au’s Ben Bulmer.
“The odds suggest the NRL Grand Final will again pip the AFL Grand Final for both peak and average audience numbers, delivering a significant win to proponents of night time grand finals.”
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Grand Final to have most peak viewers?
$1.50 NRL
$2.50 AFL
Grand Final to have most average viewers?
$1.68 NRL
$2.10 AFL
AFL Peak Viewers
$1.85 Over 4 Million
$2.20 3.5 Million – 4 Million
$5.50 3 Million – 3.49 Million
$11 Under 3 Million
NRL Peak Viewers
$6.00 Over 5 Million
$2.00 4.5 Million – 5 Million
$2.20 4 Million – 4.49 Million
$7.00 Under 4 Million
