Scene set for magic ratings

THE NRL blockbuster between Penrith and Melbourne in Magic Round is ready to attract a whopping 800,000 TV viewers and could become the most watched Saturday night game of the season.

Storm vs Panthers will be telecast by Fox Sports and Channel 9, with the free-to-air broadcaster covering a rare Saturday night game usually shown exclusively by Fox Sports.

Fans can also access the top-of-the-table battle via streaming on Kayo and 9Now.

Nine and Fox secured some sparkling combined ratings when the two broadcasters covered the final three Saturday night rounds last year.

In round 23 last year, Parramatta and North Queensland pulled a combined audience of 593,000.

A week later, the StormEels clash attracted a massive 815,000 viewers through Fox and Nine, and a round 24 match between Souths and St George Illawarra was watched by 606,000 viewers.

“Sold-out, top-of-the-table clash – it’s going to be a huge occasion,” Storm boss Justin Rodski said. “We love being part of Magic Round.”