Origin 2022: Ratings plunge for Channel 9’s new-look team

The numbers are in and they are bad viewing for Channel 9 with the network suffering a TV ratings shocker, Phil Rothfield rates Mat Thompson’s first State of Origin call.

Mat Thompson has some serious competition in the commentary box.

Channel 9 has suffered a TV ratings shocker from Wednesday night’s opening State of Origin game.

The network attracted 2.484 million nationally – down nine per cent on last year’s opening game.

The figure is down even more dramatically on 2019 when 3.194m watched the game. It is a loss of more than 600,000 viewers since then.

This compares to the 4.4 million that watched Ash Barty win the Australian Open in January.

TV rating analysts are saying the Origin figures are among the lowest ever.

Nine issued a statement on Thursday afternoon, announcing it had also pulled a streaming audience of 425,000.

The network said its BVOD (broadcaster video on demand) audience had jumped up 52 per cent year-on-year.

Despite the total drop in viewers, Origin I became the highest-rating program of the year.

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Mat Thompson drove into Olympic Park two hours before kick-off, down the ramp to underneath Accor Stadium and took Ray Warren’s old car spot.

Then up the lift to the third floor where Nine’s commentary box is stationed on halfway.

He doesn’t get stopped for selfies because few recognise the face of the 40-year-old who is about to deliver the game into three million lounge rooms across the country.

Channel 9 have kept him off screen and almost anonymous while Rabs ruled.

Nine finally puts Thompson to air three minutes before the kick-off. He’s got a couple of handy co-commentators who know a bit about State of Origin — Joey Johns on one side, Cameron Smith on the other.

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Mat Thompson has some serious competition in the commentary box.

Nine does us all a favour and relegates Gus Gould to halftime special comments.

Earlier we tried to contact Thompson to check on his pre-game preparation.

He texted us back: “G’day Buzz, sorry to miss your call. Was getting petrol. Mate I have nothing very interesting (to tell you) sadly.

“Had a workout this morning, took the dog for a walk. Had a bit of lunch at home, did some study and had a kip! Excited for a great night. Hope you enjoy it mate.”

Calling the biggest game of the year to possibly TV’s biggest audience of the year would be a nerve-racking experience for the most seasoned of commentators, yet alone an Origin debutant replacing the greatest of all time.

Ray Warren’s retirement opened the door for Mathew Thompson to call his first State of Origin game on Channel 9.

There’s not just the pressure of replacing Rabs.

The network’s State of Origin ratings have been in a sharp decline for some time.

Since 2012, Nine has lost more than a million viewers over the three games.

It’s a whole new ball game at the station that was once the home of sport.

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When Origin was born back in 1980, rugby league and cricket were their DNA.

Kerry Packer owned the station and legendary sports director David Hill ran the broadcast.

Rabs, you’re the best there’s been. I wouldn’t have pursued my dream of sports broadcasting were it not for you. You’ve inspired many and entertained all. A wonderful man, mentor and colleague. Thank you and congrats. 🎙 #Rabs#thanksrabs@NRLonNine@wwos

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) June 1, 2022

Then along came David Gyngell and Steve Crawley, the best in the business.

We started with iconic names Darrell Eastlake, Mike Gibson, Ian Maurice, Jack Gibson and then onto Rabs, Kenny Sutcliffe, Fatty and Sterlo. All of them legends.

Of the old timers only Fatty remains.

Ray Warren called 99 State of Origin matches during his stellar career. Picture: James Gourley/Getty Images

Thompson does a fine job. He’s calm and collected. Importantly, no blunders.

He leaves the expert comments and opinions Johns and Smith to concentrate on the ball-to-ball run of play.

There are no iconic lines but it’s a solid effort.

If there is to be a criticism of the coverage, it’s that producers crossed too often to their men Freddy Fittler and Billy Slater in the coaching boxes rather than replay some of the crucial moments.

We check social media at halftime for the verdict from the punters.

The usual narks are having a crack.

I hope we don’t have to put up with Mat Thompson for 99 origins #Origin

— Big boy (@Bigboy21707061) June 8, 2022

Matt Thompson makes origin sound like the pub game at 6pm #StateofOrigin

— mark (@voodoorock) June 8, 2022

Big shoes to fill, but so far Matt Thompson has been very underwhelming #stateoforigin

— Sproulie (@Sproulie72) June 8, 2022

No disrespect to Matt Thompson but he will never be ray Warren it just doesn’t feel the same
#Origin

— Matthew Pritchard (@MatthewPritcha6) June 8, 2022

Matt Thompson's voice is jarring and wrong #Origin

— Thelonius Brunk (@TheloniusBrunk1) June 8, 2022

Hoping Matt Thompson produces a great call tonight.
Taking the reins after Rabs' 99 games is not an easy position. #Origin

— Thomas Hudson (@tommyhud9) June 8, 2022

“Matt Thompson makes origin sound like the pub game at 6pm”

“Big shoes to fill, but so far Matt Thompson has been very underwhelming.”

“No disrespect to Matt but he will never be Ray Warren it just doesn’t feel the same.”

And “Crazy that there’s 6yo kids watching this that, when they start a rugby league podcast in 20 years, will describe replacement level talking guy, Mat Thompson, as the voice of Origin when they were kids.”

All of which seemed a bit harsh.

As for Rabs, It was the first one he’s missed in 30-odd years.

He was home in Castle Hill in one of those three million lounge rooms with his wife Cher, takeaway pizza and a glass of chardonnay.

Thompson did a fine job but Origin will still never be the same.