Blues capitulation becomes the most watched Origin of them all

State of Origin II has become the highest-rating game in interstate history, breaking streaming records after reaching more than 6 million people on Wednesday night.

The NRL’s hopes of brokering a record broadcast deal have been boosted by the viewing numbers and a result that ensures the series remains alive. Queensland overcame a slow start and a poor record at the MCG to demolish NSW 44-24 to set up the decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The match was witnessed by a record Origin crowd of 91,671 and total television audience – comprising linear and streaming viewers – of 4.294 million. It is also the second successive match that a streaming record was broken, with 1.715 million tuning in via 9Now.

“State of Origin remains the benchmark for live sport in Australia, and last night’s audience performance demonstrates the enduring strength of rugby league as one of the nation’s most powerful sporting and cultural forces,” said Nine’s managing director of streaming and broadcast, Amanda Laing.

“A record crowd in Melbourne alongside outstanding audiences across the 9Network and 9Now reflects the incredible momentum behind the game and its ability to bring Australians together through moments that genuinely capture the national conversation.”

The NRL has been bullish about striking a new broadcast deal that is richer than that negotiated by the AFL. The governing body has set the goal of locking in its next rights holder before the departure of chief executive Andrew Abdo, who will become the next Tennis Australia boss, on July 15.

Incumbent rights holders Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and the DAZN-owned Foxtel are jockeying to retain the rights, with Seven and Amazon among the competitors.

Footy fans remained engaged after the full-time siren, with the post-match coverage up 49.5 per cent year-on-year for total TV viewership, as well as a 125 per cent rise year-on-year for streaming.

“As the home of rugby league, Nine is proud to help grow the game through the combined strength of our broadcast, streaming, digital and publishing platforms,” Laing said.

“Together, we are building deeper fan connections, reaching new audiences and bringing the stories, rivalries and moments that define rugby league to more Australians than ever before.”

There was a rise in viewership in four of the five capital cities, including a total TV audience of 1.177 million in Sydney (up 10.9 per cent on the opening game of the series).

With the series locked at 1-1, there are hopes of another record when the series is decided in Brisbane on July 8.