The NRL has scored another ratings victory despite competing against a loaded weekend of sport action. See the figures.
The NRL has had another blockbuster weekend of TV ratings despite opposition from the Tim Tszyu fight, the India v Australia cricket Test and the Supercars in Newcastle.
The two Sunday games – Wests Tigers v Newcastle and Dragons v Titans – both rated almost 300,000 on Fox League – that’s without adding the Kayo streaming numbers.
The cricket did 230,000 on Fox Sports and the car racing 167,000.
No official figures have been released for the Tim Tszyu v Tony Harrison world title fight, although sources have revealed it did more than either of the two George Kambosos v Devin Haney fights.
The Dolphins had another great show of support against the Raiders on Saturday, knocking off Storm v the Bulldogs and Roosters v Warriors.
QUESTION MARK AROUND KAMBOSOS COVERAGE
There’s a huge question mark around the TV coverage for former world champion boxer George Kambosos in his comeback fight in Sydney in June.
Kambosos is returning for his first fight since losing a rematch to Devin Haney in Melbourne last October —and it is most likely he will challenge for the IBO world lightweight belt held by British boxer Danny Maxi Hughes.
He has attracted big numbers on Main Event in the past but Foxtel now has an exclusive deal with No Limit Boxing for fights in Australia.
Kambosos can’t fight for No Limit because he is contracted to US promoter Lou DiBella. Father and manager Jim Kambosos says all parties are working to find a solution.
“If we can’t do a deal with Fox Sports we will have to go to a competitor,” Kambosos said. “Hopefully something can be worked out.
“I’ve had meetings with the guys at Stan (Nine Entertainment) in the past. They are always open to discussions.”
KARL PICKS OLYMPIC GURU’S BRAIN
Ex-2GB drive host and sports broadcast guru Jim Wilson and Channel 9’s Karl Stefanovic were spotted in deep conversation and having a laugh over lunch at Verde restaurant in east Sydney on Wednesday.
Could the Olympics have been on the menu?
It was recently revealed Stefanovic was a key player in Nine’s successful TV bid to win the summer and winter Games broadcast rights from Channel 7.
No doubt he will have a say in the make-up of Nine’s team of presenters.
Wilson was involved in the coverage of eight Olympics at Channel 7 and would be second only to the great Bruce McAvaney for Olympic Games experience of all the broadcasters in this country.
NRL BEATS CRICKET IN TV BATTLE
There were fears that Australia’s Test cricket series in India would eat into rugby league’s TV ratings in the early rounds of the premiership.
Not so.
As Usman Khawaja approached his century on Thursday night in Ahmedabad, the Penrith Panthers were on the way to knocking off the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
On Foxtel’s main channel, rugby league beat the cricket comfortably. The first two NRL rounds have produced the highest ever Thursday night television ratings on Fox Sports and Kayo.
MEDIA PROFILE: Michelle Bishop, 48 (Channel 7, SEN Radio)
First Job? Checkout girl at Food For Less. After that I was a panel operator on mid-dawns for Doc Neeson from the Angels on Triple M.
Sporting Heroes? Growing up I had signed pictures of Will Robinson and Kerry Hemsley (Balmain) on my bedroom wall. I was always a big fan of Layne Beachley in and out of the water.
What team do you follow? Growing up I was a staunch Balmain Tigers fan. Laurie Nichols won me over early, giving me a lollipop at each home game and an Alpha Micro Computers singlet. I’m a regular fixture at the Raiders games now, with my sons in the system.
What did you play growing up? You name it, ballet, tap and jazz, touch footy, Vigoro and swimming, but my sister and I carried the water and magic sponge on the sideline with dad for all my brother’s footy matches. Girls couldn’t play footy back then.
How do you spend your day off? What’s that? Down on our farm just outside of Canberra or out on our boat wakeboarding with the kids. Always with my family.
Career highlights? Interviewing Shaquille O’Neal. I asked to try his NBA championship ring on and then forgot to give it back because I was all flustered. I didn’t get far.
Originally published as Media Buzz: NRL scores Round 2 ratings win against Tim Tszyu fight, cricket, Supercars
