Sharks, Stormers the most watched SA teams on TV in URC

The Sharks and Stormers are the most watched South African teams on television in the United Rugby Championship (URC), according to a report.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the URC said the competition was drawing in over one million viewers each week and that, by round 12, it had reached 13.3 million viewers, which beat the tournament's previous record of 12.9 million for a season that came in the PRO14/Rainbow Cup product of 2020/21. 

The data, supplied by Nielsens, predicted the weekly audience to strengthen between now and the end of the season. There are two rounds of fixtures remaining in the group stages. 

The data also provided in the latest consolidated TV report and was able to identify the top five teams for the most cumulative audience. 

"Munster are the most-watched team in the URC so far with Leinster, Sharks, Connacht and Stormers all following closely," the statement read. 

"The combined audience of over 1.7 million in round two remains the highest round total for the season so far which smashed the previous record of 853 000 from 2017/18."

In round 15 this past weekend, meanwhile, the Sharks also hosted the largest in-stadium crowd of the entire competition so far when 20 657 spectators watched them beat Leinster at King's Park. 

"These broadcast audiences provide a terrific pulse check for the United Rugby Championship. More eyeballs on our games translates into increased talkability of the league which is really evident across social media where we are exceeding all of our growth ambitions," said Martin Anayi, CEO of the URC.

"Ultimately, the excitement on the pitch coupled to the intrigue of the big four South African teams joining the league has provided a great draw but it’s been a real collaborative