Aviva Premiership Rugby has achieved a massive 40 per cent rise in television audiences, it was confirmed today.
The top flight of English club rugby – in its first season on BT Sport – recorded an average live weekend TV audience of 358,000 across the Aviva Premiership Rugby regular season, rounds 1-22.
The biggest match audience was recorded in October when 276,000 people tuned in to watch Leicester Tigers' game away to London Wasps.
A combined season audience of 7.88 million watched Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs live on BT Sport this season, compared to 6.14 million for the same period last year.
Dominic Hayes, Premiership Rugby commercial director, said: "We expected to see a rise after moving our live TV coverage to BT Sport, but this increase is beyond anyone's projections. We are delighted.
"We firmly believe that the Aviva Premiership is the most exciting and compelling domestic league in the world and these figures prove that it is a very appealing TV proposition.
"These figures coupled with the three per cent rise in attendances this year show that the league is stronger than ever.
"When you look at the audience for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights Show on ITV each weekend (434,000) it means almost 800,000 people are watching Aviva Premiership Rugby each weekend.
"The numbers from pubs and clubs, and through BT Sport's app and website, are in addition to this – so the total TV audience is actually much higher."
Attendances for Aviva premiership fixtures at Welford Road reached 251,000 this season at an average of 22,850 - more than 10,000 higher than the league's average for the campaign.
Total attendances at Welford Road in all fixtures, including six sell-outs, have topped 355,000 in 2013/14.
More than 12,000 supporters have already secured their places for 2014/15 with a Tigers season ticket.
Season tickets include admission to all home league games in the Aviva Premiership regular season, pool fixtures in the new European Rugby Champions Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup, plus a pre-season fixture at Welford Road. Prices represent entry to 17 fixtures for the price of just 12 when compared with matchday bookings.
There are also other benefits for season ticket holders, including priority booking for away games and any knockout fixtures, the opportunity to apply for international tickets and Tigers Store discounts every time you shop. There is also the convenience of knowing your place is waiting for you every matchday.
For more information on Tigers season tickets, click here. Or contact the Tigers ticket office. Call in at Welford Road or phone 0844 856 1880. The office is open 8.30am-5pm weekdays, until 8pm Wednesdays and 9am-5pm Saturdays. Or click here to book online any time.
The top flight of English club rugby – in its first season on BT Sport – recorded an average live weekend TV audience of 358,000 across the Aviva Premiership Rugby regular season, rounds 1-22.
The biggest match audience was recorded in October when 276,000 people tuned in to watch Leicester Tigers' game away to London Wasps.
A combined season audience of 7.88 million watched Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs live on BT Sport this season, compared to 6.14 million for the same period last year.
Dominic Hayes, Premiership Rugby commercial director, said: "We expected to see a rise after moving our live TV coverage to BT Sport, but this increase is beyond anyone's projections. We are delighted.
"We firmly believe that the Aviva Premiership is the most exciting and compelling domestic league in the world and these figures prove that it is a very appealing TV proposition.
"These figures coupled with the three per cent rise in attendances this year show that the league is stronger than ever.
"When you look at the audience for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights Show on ITV each weekend (434,000) it means almost 800,000 people are watching Aviva Premiership Rugby each weekend.
"The numbers from pubs and clubs, and through BT Sport's app and website, are in addition to this – so the total TV audience is actually much higher."
- The average match audience is now 119,000, up 38 per cent on last season
- The weekend average live audience is now 358,000, which is 40 per cent up on last year
- 7.88 million have watched Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs live on BT Sport this season, compared to 6.14 million for the same period last year
- ITV Weekend Audience 434,000, up 6 per cent on this time last season
- Combined weekend audience of 792,000
- Figures are based on all individuals average audience
Attendances for Aviva premiership fixtures at Welford Road reached 251,000 this season at an average of 22,850 - more than 10,000 higher than the league's average for the campaign.
Total attendances at Welford Road in all fixtures, including six sell-outs, have topped 355,000 in 2013/14.
More than 12,000 supporters have already secured their places for 2014/15 with a Tigers season ticket.
Season tickets include admission to all home league games in the Aviva Premiership regular season, pool fixtures in the new European Rugby Champions Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup, plus a pre-season fixture at Welford Road. Prices represent entry to 17 fixtures for the price of just 12 when compared with matchday bookings.
There are also other benefits for season ticket holders, including priority booking for away games and any knockout fixtures, the opportunity to apply for international tickets and Tigers Store discounts every time you shop. There is also the convenience of knowing your place is waiting for you every matchday.
For more information on Tigers season tickets, click here. Or contact the Tigers ticket office. Call in at Welford Road or phone 0844 856 1880. The office is open 8.30am-5pm weekdays, until 8pm Wednesdays and 9am-5pm Saturdays. Or click here to book online any time.
