Rugby rocks the world
19 Oct 2011
It seems the entire rugby world is watching New Zealand at the moment – at least on World Cup weekends.
RWC 2011 confirmed the viewership figures of the semi-final play-offs and the greatest numbers were a 73% audience share in France.
Les Bleus may have played the worst rugby at this tournament, but the French public interest in their performance was at a record high.
Among the records broken included:
*Record New Zealand television audience watch New Zealand defeat Australia
* Biggest Australian television audience since RWC 2003
*73 per cent audience share in France as Les Bleus book Final place
*Highest audience of RWC 2011 in UK sees France beat Wales
In New Zealand a record 1.97 million cumulative television audience tuned in to the host nation’s 20-6 semi-final victory over Australia via TV One, SKY, TV3 and Maori Television, not including the significant number who would have watched the compelling action in public venues across the country or online on demand.
Australians also tuned into the match in record numbers. A massive nationwide television audience of 3.23 million people watched the match – smashing the all-time Pay TV viewership record for Fox Sports and topping the free-to-air ratings on Channel Nine.
No Rugby match since the Rugby World Cup Final in 2003 has delivered an audience of the same magnitude in Australia. The tournament decider in Sydney eight years ago was watched by more than 4 million Australians. Channel Nine’s free-to-air broadcast attracted 2.5 million viewers.
It was a similar picture in France where TF1 attracted an audience of 9.5 million for the semi-final between France and Wales despite the 10:00 kick-off time. The average audience for the match, which saw France secure their first place in a Final since 1999 was equal to a viewing share of 73 per cent.
In the United Kingdom, ITV registered its highest audience of RWC 2011 with an average of 5.9 million viewers watching France’s 9-8 victory over Wales. The last 15 minutes of the match netted a peak audience of 6.6 million – a 58 per cent share.
163 Comments
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19 Oct 2011, 03:09 am
Regardless of the outcome this tournament has done a great job in promoting the game for us and the benefit of rugby world wide.
For New Zealand, it will be great to for tourism and the flow on that ensues.
Well done NZ and all the participating Nations.
19 Oct 2011, 03:35 am
*ahem*
19 Oct 2011, 03:43 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-2: Just softening up the Frogs for the inevitable.
19 Oct 2011, 03:47 am
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-3:
yer right, its been great fer the country. Sad when its over, has been one LONG par-tay !
And Summer just around the corner !
19 Oct 2011, 03:48 am
Yeah, kind of makes arses of all the whingers complaining about this being the worst RWC ever. Seems the rest of the world didnt get that memo and arent nearly as disappointed as the cycloptic fanboys from the Republic.
19 Oct 2011, 03:51 am
For me the highlight has been the improved performances of many smaller nations. A lott of the games were very closely contested and this bodes well for future cups. Biggest disappointments were England and Fiji apart, of course, from the Boks. Overall a very good tournament. Well done Kiwis.
19 Oct 2011, 04:01 am
Errr the official Oztam numbers were as follows:
1. Nine’s Rugby: World Cup: SF2 Nine New Zealand Vs. Australia 1,788,000
and…
The Rugby World Cup Semi Final between Australia and New Zealand has set a new Subscription TV record with a whopping 719,000 viewers…
= 2,507,000
But who cares about 700k this way or that way…
19 Oct 2011, 04:07 am
One thing that continually amazes me on this site is the amount of people that profess to know their rugby and highly opinionated on every subject connected to it and yet totally miss majority of strategies being played out in front of them.
I recall the AB / Arg game a person I was with kept commenting on how little progress we were making in terms of points on the board.
The reality was that the AB’s were using this game for what they could gain from it apart from a win. We fronted up in that game to contest the scrum, ruck, maul as a priority and a major hit out for our forwards prior to the semis. Which better team than to do so than against the Argentinians who have one of the most solid scrums in world rugby.
I explained what was happening and happening without disrespect to Argentina, but at the professional level this is what great teams can do and have good reason to do so. Why, because of who we were to face in the semis and possibly in the, and how the forward pack is the weapon of choice in the sudden death play offs.
The proof of the pudding was in the eating on destroying the Wallabies scrums and totally dominating the game from there.
Our next test is against France and we couldn’t be any better prepared for them.
Strategy is key that has many layers, not just a pile of fancy moves for criss-crossing back lines. I think that this is a major point of difference for us, that we back ourselves to have a personal test within a test.
19 Oct 2011, 04:11 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-6: Absolutely, they have been fantastic and bought so much to this tournament. The improvement, tenacity and desire of the so called minnows have made this tournament.
they have been the spectacle, instead of waiting out the quarters and semis for the ‘big guns’ i could have sat through another few weeks of these guys trying to bring down the house.
19 Oct 2011, 04:19 am
I’ve just returned from 2 good weeks in New Zealand. Not only (in general) were the people delightful, friendly and accommodating, but the festivities in Auckland were great. Idiots proclaiming this World Cup a failure are just that. I ran into a couple of nasty Kiwis, but I also ran into 10x more nasty South Africans and Poms. Seems like most of the nasty myopic people are attracted to this forum and those that make the efforts to support their teams overseas are more genuine rugby folks who can share a beer and a laugh after a game, irrespective of the outcome.
Only drawback was that when traveling in South Island, particularly Canterbury, people were disappointed that they had basically been forgotten by the IRB, local organizing committee and the NZ government. Given what has happened to Christchurch I have to agree a greater effort could have been made to include South Island at the business end of the competition.
Take a bow New Zealand. You probably deserve our trophy based on the play, but I would have been much happier if you had beaten us on the field to get it.
19 Oct 2011, 04:35 am
@Chairman Mao(Chairman Mao)-10: I have been watching it in New York. In general the coverge in the US has been pathetic and it is a waste of time trying to grow the game over here. The big networks are not interested in promoting rugby at all. But I found an Australian pub to watch the games at and I must say the atmosphere was great. There were people from all over the world watching and shouting for their teams but afterwards everyone had a laugh and a beer and there were no (or very few) bad losers. Even the many poms behaved very well.
19 Oct 2011, 04:49 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-7:
A negative p rick like you obviously, why are you constantly trying to spoil the party?
19 Oct 2011, 04:53 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-7:
lol
Did you really go out of your way to try and prove what was said was wrong??
Wow, i wish i had time on my hands like you do.
19 Oct 2011, 04:55 am
@Chairman Mao(Chairman Mao)-10: And we would have liked to have played you too. When SA played Aus, most of us wanted SA to win so that we would play you in the semi, not Aus.
It wasnt that you were perceived as being easier, rather, more predictable, with which we could build a more knowledgeable defence and attacking platform from.
Well, we neded to do that against Aus, and in a way, – with all due respect – it was slightly more satisfying. Had we played SA and won, then go on to meet Aus in a final as the script was originally written, then this weekend would have amped to one hell of a RWC final.
It will still be a sensational occassion, and if France do bring their A game, it will be a massive challenge for us.
They still havent played that one big conquering game yet.
19 Oct 2011, 04:58 am
@Chairman Mao(Chairman Mao)-10:
I live in Christchurch and it does feel as though the RWC is played in a different country to be honest.
I know not much could have been done but there is that feeling of being left out.
In fact i think it may be a couple of years before Christchurch gets into the vibe of live rugby again
19 Oct 2011, 05:05 am
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-14: Yeah. Almost every Kiwi I spoke to wanted us to beat Australia. What was more surprising was that when we lost the bar gave us a free meal, the NZers behind us bought us a round of drinks, and then later that night a rather wasted Dunedin student offered me a consolation shag if I was sad. I turned her down…..
I do hope that France show up on the weekend. A one-sided cakewalk will take some gloss off the occasion.
19 Oct 2011, 06:01 am
Ahhh knobbie, no surprise you know all about p ricks!
19 Oct 2011, 06:02 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-15:
Thinking about it now, I don’t know why the quarter-finals that were scheduled for Christchurch were not moved to the new stadium in Dunedin instead of being given to Auckland. I think the NZRU missed a trick there.
19 Oct 2011, 06:06 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-13:
Actaully Hurri, call it a little hobby but I actually check daily tv numbers on a regular basis and was particularly interested in the numbers and how they would stack up against the last SOO numbers the leagie were so quick to throw around. So I was aware the numbers above were wrong, but hey, if you are happy with incorrect reporting be my guest.
19 Oct 2011, 06:10 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-2:
Got a Frog in your throat…
19 Oct 2011, 06:28 am
Another day of SAFFA moaning about to start.
19 Oct 2011, 06:35 am
2011 was a success.
19 Oct 2011, 06:38 am
This RWC has saved the NZRU from their downward spiral in the nick of time…
19 Oct 2011, 06:43 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-23:
Running the risk of knobbie telling me how negative I am I would still like to know how success is measured? The last article I saw, which was before the 1/4 finals, stated a shortfall of close to $50m expected, how is that helping them out?
19 Oct 2011, 06:49 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-24:
ticket sales have been superb, the govt put some in, it will run at a small loss, how is success measured 4 million + Nzers going bananas late Sunday night
19 Oct 2011, 06:52 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-12: Why are you trying to make it out like the party was even a party? This has been proven to be the worst world cup ever.
19 Oct 2011, 06:54 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-26:
Rating a tournament based on the limitations of your own team is not a recognised yardstick used by most folk.
19 Oct 2011, 06:55 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-26:
looked like the united nations of England were having a great party, perhaps that’s why they were eliminated in the 1/4′s?
19 Oct 2011, 06:58 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-22:
Most are more relieved than satisfied. In South Africa it’s par for the course that we pull off these events with ease.
Your Oz cousins are just as relieved that they didn’t have to step in like the shambles in 2003 where they were left to pick up the tab and go it alone.
19 Oct 2011, 07:11 am
Those TV audience figures, whether slightly inflated in Aus or not, were achieved through local and visiting fans accommodating the demands of the IRB.
19 Oct 2011, 07:17 am
@Brads(Brads)-27: @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-28: Precious little Kiwis trying so hard to proclaim this tournament a success. Its so desperate its tragic. The first and most important criteria needed to be fulfilled to constitute success is profit. You failed spectacularly at that and the rugby world is now at a loss to this sentiment and development has regressed 8 years as a result.
Maoris in thongs blowing pipes may be your cup of tea, but it doesn’t equal a success.
19 Oct 2011, 07:19 am
Brilliant WC….and the best team on the Planet by a country mile about to be crowned worthy world champions…..awesome job Kiwis.
Biggest dissapointments….
Boks…
Poms…
19 Oct 2011, 07:21 am
All this tournament has done is show the IRB up for the F@#$%ERS that they are.
The best 2 teams in the world are out with one of the worst in the final.
The refereeing has been downright crooked. No, I am done with this farce and couldn’t care less who wins on Saturday.
I most certainly have better things to do with my weekend.
19 Oct 2011, 07:30 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-31:
RWC011 Ltd budgeted for a 68 million dollar loss.
That is likely to be under 50 million.
A success in my book.
Bejing ran the best ever Olympics and it cost them 50 billion.
London will not make the same loss, but they will make a loss hosting the same event.
19 Oct 2011, 07:34 am
I’m sure for people in Kiwiland and Oz the world cup has been fantastic.
For the majority of fans on or around the Greenwich meridian it has been a complete balls up. Games starting at 6am hardly gives you the opportunity to enjoy a few bevvies with the boys during the match.
Future world should be held in South Africa, UK and France. Bugger everybody else!
19 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-25:
middle earth economics involving magic rings and powerful potions is one thing…but real world economics involving real capital is an all together other….
you can make wishy washy statements till you’re blue in the face but you’re in the real world now….
oh, and the officiating robbed it of any validity…
19 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
@JEZ(DEE DAH)-35:
Based on your lack of gratitude, I would pump for the next time any match is played in our time zone it is played at 2.30 in the afternoon local time, not 9.00pm so as to make it comfortable for you ingrates to get out of bed.
19 Oct 2011, 07:41 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-36:
Not strong on economics are you.
SA lost money from directly holding the FIFA World Cup. However, the wider economy benefited by an estimated $20 billion with having the tournament in the country.
19 Oct 2011, 07:42 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-36:
middle earth economics involving magic rings and powerful potions is one thing…
19 Oct 2011, 07:43 am
@Brads(Brads)-34: How many countries already competing at the Olympics? Don’t think it really needs to develop all that much does it?
@JEZ(DEE DAH)-35: If this world cup had been in Japan, like it should have been, the audience figures would have been huge.
19 Oct 2011, 07:44 am
I still rate France07 as most likely the best world cup in terms of spirit and vibe, but in terms of performances I would rate NZ as the better one, the minnows played good rugby and the top tier teams also stepped up (except France). The only disapointment was that Cristchurch could not join the party and the horrible ref’s that messed up a otherwise awsome WC. NZ did a great job and I think NZ will deserving winners, but that doesn’t change the fact that they played the weaker team in the SF and will play a weaker team on Sunday. Not their fault and won’t make them any less champions then if it was otherwise.
The IRB just messed up two great possible match ups because their refs are just not up to par.
19 Oct 2011, 07:46 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-40:
Don’t change the direction of the debate just because you are losing it.
19 Oct 2011, 07:47 am
@JEZ(DEE DAH)-35: You suck so much right now.
19 Oct 2011, 07:48 am
@Brads(Brads)-38:
you keep convincing yourself of that brads…i’m pretty sure the smarter kiwi’s running your countries finances know well what the actual cost of the thing was and i’m pretty sure the loss was even higher than the projected loss expected.
but ja no hey….you keep convincing yourself…
19 Oct 2011, 07:49 am
@Brads(Brads)-38:
$20 billion, you mean like in R140 billion?
19 Oct 2011, 07:51 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-39:
these kiwi’s are so silly sometimes.
19 Oct 2011, 07:53 am
I enjoyed the WC. I was just a mission with this early games but the PVR came in handy. Biggest mission was to avoid the TV screens in the shops and the radio because it was WC fever everywhere. Well done NZ. Good job.
19 Oct 2011, 07:56 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-45:
i know hey…i know…
these guys cook the finacial and viewership numbers not to fool others but seemingly to fool themselves.
its weird…
19 Oct 2011, 07:56 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-46:
Hehehe you know, expected loss was $60m and the actual will be closer to $50m = success!
Bit like my wife saying…but it was on special, we saved $x!!!
19 Oct 2011, 07:57 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-44:
Well I am pretty certain you are wrong.
In fact the parliamentry opposition are so dismayed over the success of the tournament and the rub off feel good effect it will have on the government leading into the elections in a few weeks time, they would quietly rejoice if the AB’s lost on Sunday.
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