2019 Suncorp Super Netball Season Achieves Record Attendance, Viewership And Streaming Figures

The 2019 Suncorp Super Netball season came to a close on the weekend when the Sydney Swifts took out the championship against the Sunshine Coast Lightning and according to new figures, this year’s series has reached more people than ever before.

For 2019, total viewership of Nine’s coverage of the season was up 2% on last year with almost 6 million people reached nationally through these broadcasts, while attendance figures also grew by 3%, with almost 280,000 people attending matches held in 10 different cities across Australia.

In Nine’s Sunday Grand Final broadcast alone, more than 900,000 people tuned in and the match had a commercial share of 34.1%, winning its timeslot against commercial primary channels (total people).

Suncorp Super Netball CEO, Chris Symington, says the growth in overall viewership and stadium attendance figures will help the league attract more commercial partners.

“It’s fantastic that we are continuing to see steady growth in the viewership and attendance of Suncorp Super Netball, with some excellent foundations set only three seasons into the competition,” he said.

“The matches that were played throughout the 2019 season were incredible and it really showcased the competition as the world’s premier netball league.

“With the Suncorp Super Netball Commission being established this year there is an ongoing focus on commercial growth and fan engagement, so we’re very optimistic about the trajectory of the league and where it could go.”

Nine’s Suncorp Super Netball replays on 9Now also increased by 39% this season and Nine’s Head of Netball, Keeley Devery, said the Suncorp Super Netball season was a fantastic triumph, as the best players met each week to provide viewers with world-class netball action.

“The Suncorp Super Netball athletes continue to get better and more inspiring, with the season going from strength-to-strength both on and off the court,” she said.

Live streaming of Suncorp Super Netball also flourished this year with viewership on Telstra TV doubling on last season and the Netball Live Official App seeing an enormous 27% growth from 2018.

In adding to these figures, the huge Round 13 clash between the Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning also became the highest streamed match ever.

Telstra Sport Digital Manager, Andrew Considine, said that netball has never been more popular with fans across the Netball Live apps on mobile and Telstra TV.

“The growth we have seen across our platforms this year is outstanding and shows that Suncorp Super Netball fans aren’t willing to miss a minute of the action,” he said.

“To see such significant growth in one season is fantastic and we look forward to seeing that rise again in 2020.

The current Suncorp Super Netball broadcast agreement is in place until the end of the 2021 season.