Audience is buying into Super League Golden Point
WITH two Super League games going to Golden Point last week, many people have questioned the concept and whether or not an old-fashioned draw is the way forward.
However, from a broadcasting perspective, it’s clear that the audience watching at home is buying into the drama.
Last Friday, the contest between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens saw Sky Sports attract their second-biggest peak audience of the season, behind only the Thursday night opener between Warrington and Leeds in February, which of course, had all the hype of a new season beginning.
The night before the dramatic ending at Headingley, at Craven Park, Hull KR and Wigan Warriors also were level at full-time and had to go into Golden
Point. Sky’s viewing figures again peaked during the additional period, with Liam Farrell breaking Red and White hearts.
Also over the weekend, the Summer Bash was held in York.
Although it was the worst-attended Bash since its inaugural weekend in 2015, Viaplay attracted their biggest peak audience figure of the season during Featherstone Rovers’ victory over York Knights. Betfred Super League attendances also continue their upward trend from 2022, with each of the six matches in Round 13 attracting a higher gate than the last time the fixture was played, with increases of more than 15% for the Salford v Hull FC game on the equivalent match in 2022, and for Leigh’s first home match against Warrington Wolves since 2017.
Leeds and St Helens saw Sky Sports attract their second biggest peak audience of the season