AFL Grand Final the most-watched TV event of 2017
THE AFL Grand Final was the most-watched TV event of 2017. But one AFL club was the surprise ratings hit of the season.
TV Ratings
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DESPITE the big noise of reality TV wars, Australia’s most-watched TV event for 2017 was the AFL Grand Final.
More than 2.7 million viewers (metro cities) flocked to Channel 7 to see the Tigers beat the Crows by 48 points, more than watched the final of The Block, MKR or Ninja Warrior.
The Grand Final helped Channel 7 claim victory overall in the ratings year, as the network pipped closest contender Channel 9 by a mere .1 per cent.
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Media analyst Steve Allen said the Adelaide v Tigers match was always going draw a large audience, with teams from Victoria and South Australia.
“Live sports, where the clash is geographically spread, will usually deliver a boosted audience,” he said.
“And the 2017 Grand Final had the fairytale of Richmond, so long the underperformer. It was boosted through the sheer emotion. Both teams had a story of overcoming odds, to get there.”
While the finals series consistently drew AFL’s the highest ratings for the year, matches with interstate opponents feature heavily in the top 10 most watched home and away games.
After the Grand Final, the next most-watched sporting event for the year was the Australian Open Men’s Final. 2.686 million tuned in to see Roger Federer take on Rafael Nadal.
Nine got big numbers for The Block finale and the third match of the Rugby League State of Origin decider. Both averaged 2.523 million.
AFL also delivered record-breaking audiences for Fox Footy this year.
The Richmond v GWS qualifier had an average of 552,000 viewers, making it the highest rating AFL game of all-time on subscription TV.
TOP 10 HOME AND AWAY GAMES 2017 (Channel 7, metro cities)
1. Round five — Essendon vs. Collingwood — 921,000
The traditional Anzac Day clash topped the home and away ratings, with a rejuvenated Essendon winning the match for the first time since 2013.
2. Round 22 — Adelaide vs. Sydney — 778,000
This late-season Friday night clash was billed as a potential Grand Final match-up. A controversial umpiring decision late in the game helped Sydney snatch a three point victory.
3. Round 11 — Geelong vs. Adelaide — 734,000
Two top four teams going at it on a Friday night is a recipe for ratings success. Geelong won in front of its home crowd by 22 points.
4. Round 6 — Greater Western Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs — 700,000
A Friday night replay of the classic 2016 preliminary final drew a huge TV audience. GWS snuck home by two points.
5. Round 19 — Hawthorn vs. Sydney — 690,000
Another Friday night clash. Two AFL heavyweights going at it on the MCG, with a narrow victory keeping the Hawks’ finals dreams alive.
6. Round 9 — Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs — 684,000
Geelong’s first game in front of its home crowd and a match-up between two supposed contenders. Cats won by 25 points.
7. Round 3 — Sydney vs. Collingwood — 684,000
Friday night featuring two big clubs. The Pies claimed a fighting victory by a single point. One of the first of many close games for the season.
8. Round 10 — Sydney vs. Hawthorn — 670,000
Hawthorn and Sydney have established a solid rivalry since the 2012 and 14 Grand Finals. This Friday night match-up in Sydney saw Hawthorn sneak home by six points thanks to a late Jarryd Roughead goal.
9. Round 14 — Sydney vs. Essendon — 664,000
Another Friday night in Sydney. The Swans stole a famous victory, overturning a seemingly insurmountable Bombers lead.
10. Round 23 — Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs — 663,000
Two greats of the game — Bob Murphy and Luke Hodge — bowed out of the game on this late-season Friday night game (Hodge later changed his mind on his retirement plans). The Hakws capped off a miserable year for the Bulldogs with a nine-point win.
Originally published as AFL Grand Final the most-watched TV event of 2017
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