What’s the Buzz: Channel 9’s missing one million State of Origin fans

It’s the big State of Origin mystery ahead of the 2023 series kick-off — where have one million fans disappeared to? All the details in What’s the Buzz.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Nathan Cleary of the Blues is tackled during game three of the State of Origin Series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on July 13, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Channel 9 has lost more than one million State of Origin viewers in 10 years.

In game three, 2013, the network had 4.194 million viewers for a game-three decider.

Laurie Daley, in his first year as NSW Blues coach, lost 12-10 to a Maroons outfit that included Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

Fast track a decade to game three last year, the Maroons winning another series decider in Brisbane.

The audience was 3.048 million – that’s metro and regional free-to-air and includes the 463,000-streaming audience on 9Now.

So where have one million fans disappeared to?

Nathan Cleary on the charge for the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

Obviously viewers have a far greater choice these days with the TV remote — Netflix, Stan, Binge, Amazon or Apple TV.

Maybe it’s the late kick-off time on a school night – although it was the same 10 years ago.

Maybe fans are now used to watching commercial-free footy on Fox Sports and find the non-stop free-to-air advertisements too much. Who knows?

The TV ratings next Thursday morning will be as interesting as the scoreline in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

This is shaping up as yet another blockbuster series and evenly-matched contest.

The Blues have all their superstars on deck – Latrell, Turbo, Teddy and Nathan Cleary.

Already this year TV ratings for the premiership rounds are way up on recent seasons.

Let’s hope it’s again the case for Origin.

RICKY PLANS 300-GAME PARTY FOR CROKER

Ricky Stuart will consider standing down skipper Jarrod Croker from next weekend’s match against the Wests Tigers – his 300th NRL game.

Stuart wants his club legend to celebrate the magnificent career milestone the next week against the New Zealand Warriors at 6pm on Friday in front of the green machine’s army of supporters rather than a half-empty Campbelltown.

“Our members and fans deserve to be there to witness such a great occasion,” Stuart said.

Jarrod Croker is on the verge of his 300th game for the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

“This is no disrespect to the Wests Tigers – I’d do the same thing if we were playing Penrith.

“We’ll have a look at our injury situation next week to ensure we’re OK.

“This will be one of the most special nights in Canberra Raiders history.

“Only one other player, Jason Croker (318) has played more than 300 games for the club.”

Stuart said he had not even broached the idea with Croker.

The 32-year-old veteran, who has had to overcome numerous injury issues to get to 299 games, would probably benefit from a freshen up at this stage of the season anyway.

The Raiders expect their biggest home crowd in years to honour the great clubman.