Super Netball proves a hit with viewers as TV ratings hit unexpected heights

THE fans in the stands loved netball’s newest rivalries and so did the ones watching the Super Netball opening night at home. TV RATINGS:

The opening round of Super Netball proved a hit for TV viewers

THE fans in the stands loved netball’s newest rivalries and so did the ones watching the Super Netball opening night at home.

In the wake of the success of the WBBL and new AFL competition, women’s sport continues to be a ratings success.

Channel Nine released data Sunday showing the Saturday coverage of the new, Australian-based netball competition on 9Gem had a national reach of 858,000 viewers.

The most watched of the three local derbies shown was the Vixens stunning upset of Collingwood Magpies in Melbourne.

The second game of the night at 7pm had a national peak audience of 305,000 and a national average audience of 175,000 (5 City: 123,000/Regional: 52,000).

TV ratings proved greater than expected for the Super Netball opening round

This was 70,000 more viewers across the 5 Citys than the 2016 season average (53,000 on Ten/One).

It was also 49,000 more viewers in the timeslot than the corresponding day on 9Gem last year.

The live opening game between the Giants and Swifts at 5pm had a national peak audience of 242,000 and a national average audience of 153,000.

The draw between the Firebirds and Lightning had a national peak audience of 284,000 and a national average audience of 152,000.

Not taken into account was Sunday’s fourth match of the round between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Cost Fever.

The inaugural game of the women’s AFL competition had a total peak audience across the country of 1.6 million on the Seven Network, 7mate and Fox Footy.

Nine’s netball deal this season includes a Saturday night live double-header, as well as two delayed games. ­

Originally published as Super Netball proves a hit with viewers as TV ratings hit unexpected heights