By Andrew Starke
FOX SPORTS Venues (FSV) has announced Australia’s breakthrough TriNations victory last weekend was the highest rating rugby Test in subscription television history.
The decider against New Zealand surged into the record books by scoring an average audience of 428,000 viewers.
The Wallabies ended a decade-long TriNations drought by capturing the silverware for the first time since 2001 with a gripping 25-20 victory over their arch rivals, giving the sport a major boost ahead of this month’s Rugby World Cup.
The 428,000 average audience on FOX SPORTS 3HD and FOX SPORTS 3 ranked the live broadcast as the third most-watched program ever on subscription television, behind this year’s Super Rugby Final (531,000) and the FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Australia and Uzbekistan in April 2009 (431,000).
“It’s given us an expectation that we’re in for a spectacular Rugby World Cup and the Wallabies are a huge shot at winning a third title,” said FOX SPORTS’ CEO, Patrick Delany.
“This is the biggest event on the planet this year, and Australians deserve the best television coverage, which they’ll get through FOX SPORTS Venues.”
FOX SPORTS’ Rugby World Cup coverage includes screening all 48 matches live, including the final on October 23rd.
General manager – marketing & commercial of NLG Hotel Group, Alistair Flower, said the pub group had big plans for the event.
“Previously, large international fixtures like the Olympics, rugby and soccer World Cups have occurred overnight but the timing of the games in New Zealand is perfect,” he said.
“Games played in the 3pm to 7pm time slot maximise the time spent in the bars and doesn’t necessarily conflict with dinner service … or the better half’s plans!”