Women’s Sport Surpasses Men’s in Ratings
In Australia, a significant shift has been observed in the viewership of sports events. Last night, more households tuned in to watch women’s sport than men’s, marking a notable moment in the country’s sporting history. This development is particularly striking when considering that on a Thursday night in April, women’s sport outperformed its male counterpart in terms of ratings.
The Women’s NRL State of Origin on Channel Nine attracted 980,000 viewers in the National TV Audience, which is an increase from the 927,000 it recorded last year. In contrast, the men’s AFL match between Collingwood and Hawthorn drew 768,000 viewers on Channel Seven.
This surge in viewership is not just a statistical anomaly; it reflects a growing interest in women’s sports. Female athletes have long fought for equal pay and airtime, often facing challenges from major broadcasters. However, the recent numbers suggest that the tide may be turning. The outdated notion that “nobody wants to watch women’s sport” no longer holds water, as audiences are clearly showing their support.
A New Era for Women’s Sports Broadcasting
It’s encouraging to see free-to-air channels and streaming services backing women’s sports with increasing enthusiasm. These platforms are not shy about featuring women’s sports during prime time slots, which is a positive step towards greater visibility and recognition.
Channel Nine, the exclusive broadcaster of the Women’s State of Origin, expressed pride in the event’s success. A spokesperson told TV WEEK, “Every year the series grows in viewership and last night was no different. We saw an increase of 52 per cent on 9Now YoY and it set a new record for the highest rated women’s rugby league match in history for 9now, up 42 per cent on previous figure from 2025.”
Olympic Gold Medallist Libby Trickett, co-host of the Sportish podcast, also celebrated the achievement of women’s sport. She noted, “We’re seeing time and again that women’s sport is very popular and people just want to watch entertaining contests like we saw last night.”
The Impact on the Next Generation
The significance of these developments goes beyond mere ratings. For young girls across the country, seeing women’s sports on television can be a powerful inspiration. It provides them with role models and shows them what is possible. As the saying goes, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
This impact is already being felt. A fellow staff member’s nine-year-old daughter was captivated by the success of The Matildas’ recent Asian Cup campaign. She innocently asked her mum, “Is there a boy version of the Matildas?” This question highlights how deeply the visibility of women’s sports is influencing the next generation.
As a mother of two small girls, I constantly remind them that they can be whatever they want to be. Moments like the one witnessed last night give me hope that they will grow up in a world where this belief is truly achievable.
