A quick look at the 2012 Super Rugby TV numbers for 2012 suggests that numbers are up, but not breath-takingly so, and a worrying little trend seems to be creeping in …
A look at the comparison between 2011 and 2012:
So Super Rugby viewers are up, but so are the total number of TV viewers, and the percentage share of total viewers has dropped …
A look at the Average and Cumulative TV numbers over the first 10 rounds, showing the worrying trend in the last two rounds:
It is key to note that in those last 2 rounds, though, that 2 SA sides had byes, and there were no SA derbies:
Round 10 fixtures:
Waratahs 33 – 37 Crusaders
Cheetahs 33 – 36 Highlanders
Force 3 – 17 Stormers
Chiefs 33 – 14 Hurricanes
Lions 20 – 34 Brumbies
Blues 11 – 23 Reds
Round 9 fixtures:
Bulls 36 – 34 Brumbies
Sharks 12 – 18 Chiefs
Waratahs 30 – 21 Rebels
Hurricanes 14 – 42 Crusaders
Reds 13 – 23 Stormers
Highlanders 30 – 27 Blues
And finally, a look at all the numbers:
So it looks like those SA derbies are driving the local YV audience, which does make sense, as you have two sets of fan bases watching one game …
Source: Distrubuted by Repucom SA, and based on numbers from DSTVi
Coming later … The incredible Vodacom Cup TV numbers!!
