NRL 2023: NRL dominates AFL in Queensland TV ratings, massive numbers for Dolphins-Broncos

The introduction of the Dolphins has triggered an epic NRL broadcast ratings boost, with last week’s Battle of Brisbane producing a TV ratings bonanza.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 24: Reece Walsh of the Broncos takes 'selfies' with fans during the round four NRL match between the Dolphins and Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Dolphins-Broncos derby blockbuster attracted an extraordinary 1.3 million viewers as the historic Battle of Brisbane helped the NRL destroy the AFL in the broadcasting turf war in Queensland.

News Corp can reveal the birth of Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins has triggered a TV ratings bonanza and given the NRL an expansion strike weapon in their fight against the AFL for the hearts and minds of Queenslanders.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan put ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys on notice a fortnight ago when he declared Australian rules was on the verge of dethroning rugby league in the vital Queensland market.

“AFL – within a year or two – is on the brink of being the biggest code in the state,” he said.

Broadcast ratings are going gangbusters in Queensland. Picture: Getty

But broadcast figures obtained by News Corp show the NRL is celebrating record ratings in Queensland thanks to the dawn of the Dolphins _ and is thumping the AFL in the process.

The Broncos’ heart-stopping 18-12 win over the Dolphins in last Friday night’s inaugural Battle of Brisbane was watched by a staggering 1,395,719 viewers across all platforms including Channel 9, Foxtel and their streaming services.

The Broncos-Dolphins derby entered the top five most-watched NRL games in TV broadcast history since official figures were logged 28 years ago.

The Brisbane metro free-to-air audience for the Broncos-Dolphins derby was 246,000 – more than four times the 59,000 that watched the AFL’s Melbourne-Lions clash on the same night.

On the back of the Broncos and Dolphins’ flying starts to the 2023 season, NRL broadcast ratings in Brisbane and Queensland are up a staggering 186 per cent and 130pc respectively.

Broncos fans celebrate the match winning try by Kotoni Staggs. Picture: Getty

They are extraordinary figures which have rubber-stamped the NRL as the premier code in Queensland, prompting V’landys to hail the ARL Commission’s decision to expand to 17 teams as a resounding success.

“The figures from the Dolphins-Broncos game are unbelievable,” V’landys said.

“I just hope the momentum of the Dolphins continues and keeps producing these incredible results.

“You have to hand it to Wayne Bennett. He is a walking marketing machine and this couldn’t have been done without him.

“The first Dolphins-Broncos derby was everything we wanted it to be and to see the commencement of the rivalry and how the fans and everyone in the code embraced augurs well for the future.

“It’s early days and we never get ahead of ourselves, but if these TV ratings are replicated through the season, then the benefits of expansion has exceeded all expectations.”

The Broncos’ gripping six-point win over the Dolphins was watched by 681,000 fans on Channel 9.

Fox League recorded 382,000 viewers and with a combined streaming estimate of 332,719, TV ratings data suggests the River City Rumble at Suncorp had a total viewership of almost 1.4 million.

The Dolphins have been great for business for NRL business in Queensland. Picture: Getty

The Lions-Demons clash at the Gabba was watched by 840,000 AFL fans on Channel 7 and Fox. Estimated streaming of around 220,000 delivered a total viewership of 1.06 million – well shy of the Dolphins-Broncos derby.

A TV industry source said the addition of the Dolphins as the fourth team in Queensland has been a massive coup for the NRL in combating the AFL in their sporting turf war.

“The data shows Queensland rugby league is absolutely flying,” a TV ratings spokesman said.

“Rugby league ratings have been down in recent years in Queensland but this year has been the best we can remember.

“The Dolphins-Broncos derby was an outstanding success and one of the most watched NRL games in history.

“More people in Queensland than ever are watching the NRL.

“The Battle of Brisbane has taken rugby league to a new level in Queensland.”

Dolphins super coach Bennett was blown away by the interest.

“It’s great to hear the impact we are having,” he said.

“I always believed Queensland was ready for another NRL and I’m really proud of what the Dolphins stand for and the brilliant spectacle we delivered with the Broncos.

“This derby can take Queensland rugby league to another level ... Peter V’landys deserves credit for backing expansion and having the vision to do it.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: NRL dominates AFL in Queensland TV ratings, massive numbers for Dolphins-Broncos