Overnight figures from the first four rounds of the United Rugby Championship show yet another increase in broadcast audiences for the league.
The year-on-year comparisons show a 10% growth in total audience over the first four rounds of the season compared to the same rounds last season, with two big South African matches from Round 1 still in hand.
Viewership has surged in the Republic of Ireland with RTE’s average live match viewing figures up 129% and TG4 improving by 44% compared to the start of last season. In the UK there has been strong starts for S4C (+119%), Premier Sports (+22%) and BBC (+13%) while Sky Italia and SuperSport are also up by double digits.
With consolidated data from Nielsen Sports still to come, an increase in these figures is expected and follows on from three consecutive seasons of stellar growth in URC audiences.
In 2022 the league set a new record high of 34.6million, this has been surpassed in the two following seasons with a figure of 37.2 million recorded for 2022/23 and then 47.7 million for the 2023/24 campaign.
Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, said: “Just like our teams, we are just as keen to start the season strong and it’s clear that fans of the BKT URC know that right from the beginning every game counts.
“We take great pride in how the BKT URC brand and positioning has been received in the last number of years, but it is the competitiveness and incredible quality that our teams and their world-class players display on the pitch week in and week out that has lifted the league to new heights.
“Across five territories we also have our trusted stable of broadcast partners who showcase these fascinating clashes and add their own personality and innovation to game day. It’s a fantastic formula that we hope will continue to deliver for the league and its fans.”
FRIDAY
Scarlets v Zebre Parma
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 13th league game)
AR 1: Ben Connor (WRU) AR 2: Matthew Leon (WRU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Live on: BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Benetton v Vodacom Bulls
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 22nd league game)
AR 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR) AR 2: Franco Rosella (FIR)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
SATURDAY
DHL Stormers v Glasgow Warriors
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – KO 12.45pm IRE & UK/1.45pm ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 99th league game)
AR 1: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) AR 2: Christopher Allison (SARU)
TMO: Chris Busby (IRFU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Ospreys v Edinburgh Rugby
Dunraven Brewery Field, Bridgend – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 2nd league game)
AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Munster
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 16th league game)
AR 1: AJ Jacobs (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Leinster v Emirates Lions
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 5.15pm IRE & UK/6.15pm ITA & SA
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 60th league game)
AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Connacht v Dragons RFC
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 33rd league game)
AR 1: Dan Carson (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Live on: TG4, S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Cardiff Rugby v Ulster
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 48th league game)
AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2: Ben Connor (WRU)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Comments