Super League opener breaks TV record

Wigan’s clash with Huddersfield recorded the biggest television audience for a Round 1 fixture in Super League‘s 19-year history.

Figures out today show the game last Friday drew a peak audience of 353,000 to Sky Sports 1, and an average audience of 299,300, a 38% increase from the opening game of last season between Hull and Leeds.

The audience was also 288,000 more than tuned in to watch the live Premiership rugby union match, Worcester v Leicester on BT Sport 1, which was watched by 65,200 people – 543 per cent higher – and 293,500 (593 per cent) more than the 59,500 who watched live World Trophy darts on Eurosport.

RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: “This is tremendous news which demonstrates the growing appeal of the First Utility Super League and the sport as a whole.

“To record such a massive audience, one which dwarfs every other competing sports programme, was the perfect way to celebrate our new contract with Sky Sports, who continue to be fantastic broadcast partners.

“It was also a terrific start for the competition’s new title sponsors First Utility, who gained unprecedented exposure from their involvement with a sport which continues to grow in stature.

“Following the success of Rugby League World Cup 2013, we were confident that there would be a tangible legacy and I have no doubts that many of the viewers who switched on last Friday did so as a consequence of that tournament.

“With some intriguing Round 1 fixtures coming up this weekend, including two very attractive matches live on Sky Sports 1, I can confidently predict that Super League will continue to break records.”

The Sky Sports TV cameras will be at the Halliwell Jones Stadium tonight, for Warrington’s game against St Helens.