FOR the second week running, viewing figures on Sky Sports scaled new heights for the Stobart Super League when St Helens’ inaugural game at Langtree Park against Salford City Reds attracted the third highest ever average television audience on the Sky platform since the Super League was established in 1996.
The average audience for the match surpassed last season’s Grand Final, the highest rated Rugby League programme on Sky Sports in 2011, by an increase of three per cent.
It was also the top rated programme on Sky Sports eclipsing amongst others the Aviva Premiership’s match between Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors by more than 240,000 viewers.
“It is a fantastic start to the Stobart Super League season on Sky Sports,” said Super League’s Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer. “The viewing figures are at an all-time high for the sport at the start of the season and it shows how attractive the 2012 season promises to be. We have a tremendous growing audience right across the country. It is a great platform to raise the visibility and profile of our players, clubs and all our partners.”
Attendances across the Super League are also up compared to the same period 12 months ago. The average attendance at last weekend’s Round 2 fixtures was 11,213 – an increase of 31 per cent on the corresponding fixtures in 2011.
“The majority of our clubs have seen an increase in season ticket holders compared to previous years, which very satisfying in what are financially testing times for the economy,” added Rimmer. “The Stobart Super League is one of the finest sporting spectacles around and every game offers great entertainment at affordable prices compared to other mainstream sports. All the clubs should be credited for their proactive and creative efforts in trying to encourage more fans to watch games live.”
