The Vodacom URC has seen a significant rise in viewership, with the growing popularity largely driven by the strong performances of South African teams.
According to Nielsen Sports SA’s latest data, broadcast hours for the URC increased by 220 hours, with 374 additional inserts, reflecting increased exposure on SuperSport.
Notably, 13% of secondary broadcasts, including highlights and repeats, reached DStv subscribers on Compact and Access packages, expanding the sport’s reach to new audiences.
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Nielsen Sports SA’s commercial manager Nwabisa Sauls highlighted the importance of SA teams in driving this growth. “Our data shows the rapidly growing enthusiasm for rugby, and the rise in both viewership and stadium attendance proves the sport’s enduring appeal.”
The overall consumption of the URC is up by 19%, with a 6% increase in unique viewers. In total, 1.19 million unique viewers tuned in to 153 live URC broadcasts, with an additional 96,782 new viewers from secondary broadcasts. A strategic broadcasting plan has proven effective, with 31% of viewers watching on SS Variety 4.
The most-watched match of the season was the 2024 URC final between the Vodacom Bulls and the Glasgow Warriors, which drew 610, 977 viewers. Other top games featured the Bulls against Leinster and the DHL Stormers.
Photo: Roberto Bregani/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
