Sonny Bill Williams Sydney Roosters return was Foxtel’s most streamed NRL game ever
Sonny Bill Williams is more than just a human headline, with the Sydney Roosters superstar’s NRL return also a huge hit with sports lovers all around the world, raking in record ratings.
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Sonny Bill Williams is a 110 kilogram human headline and the Sydney Roosters superstar is now a television ratings winner, delivering record ratings for the Foxtel group.
Williams‘ highly anticipated NRL return on Saturday against the Canberra Raiders in the grand final replay had sports lovers from all over the country tuning in to Fox League, Kayo, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now in record numbers.
The match was the most streamed NRL game ever and was fifth most watched in the subscription television history.
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A total of 468,000 tuned in to the match with 161,000 of those viewers streaming the clash across Foxtel’s streaming services.
Williams first game of NRL since 2014 was also the third most viewed match so far in season 2020.
Steve Crawley, Executive Director of Fox Sports, said Williams’ comeback would only generate even more interest leading into and in the 2020 finals series.
“The great thing is this is just the beginning of SBW’s comeback to the NRL. It’s like a snowball rolling down the mountain, picking up pace and size as it goes. In sport you can’t go wrong with genuine superstars, and Sonny Bill, even at 35, is still a genuine superstar,” Crawley said.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson kept eager NRL fans waiting until the 59th minute before unleashing the megastar onto the field at GIO Stadium in the Bondi club’s 18-6 win.
A dedicated Fox League camera followed Williams captured his nerves on the sideline and then every move of his 14 minute stint, which included 4 runs for 24 metres, one offload and six tackles.
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Like league fans all over the country, even Roosters teammates are in awe of the juggernaut that is Sonny Bill Williams.
“With all his experience, you can feel his presence,” Isaac Lui said.
“The boys just felt confident anytime that he was there.
“To have him here is a blessing and it is exciting at the same time, because you know how much of a man and player that he is.”
Williams, who was a no show at Roosters training on Monday, will again be live and exclusive to Fox League when the Roosters take on the Newcastle Knights this Saturday night at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground.
Fellow forward Lindsay Collins is tipping Williams to be even better in his second run this weekend.
“If you look at what Sonny has done as a professional, that is all I‘ve taken out of him at the moment,” Collins said.
“It is his professionalism, on and off the field.
“He still has a lot more in him. He is 35 years old and he still wants to improve himself and be better.
“That is a credit to him.”
Top 5 NRL all time on Subscription TV
Round 6, 2020 – Roosters v Eels – 507K
Round 26, 2016 – Storm v Sharks – 499K
Finals Week 3, 2018 – Roosters v Rabbitohs – 479K
Round 3, 2020 – Storm v Raiders – 476K
Round 17, 2020 – Raiders v Roosters – 468K
Originally published as Sonny Bill Williams Sydney Roosters return was Foxtel’s most streamed NRL game ever