The New Zealand television audience has the most potential for growth based on numbers last season in Super Rugby, and local officials and SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said a brilliant Rugby World Cup last year could provide impetus for some increased viewing.
The barometer according to Mr Peters is filling stadiums and increasing TV viewing numbers; as SANZAR, local unions and broadcasters appreciate the spill off effect with audiences seeing full houses during Super Rugby.
Some would successfully argue that the big World Cup viewing numbers may have ironically hurt the 2011 Super Rugby competition as some locals may have felt flooded with rugby or had saved money to attend the home tournament, while the Christchurch earthquake was also a factor according to Mr Peters.
New Zealand TV numbers dropped five percent last season, in comparison to a whopping 41 per cent increase in Australia, while numbers were almost the same for the South African market.
Overall television viewership across the three SANZAR member countries totalled 56 million last year, an increase on the 54 million who watched the 2010 Super Rugby season.
Over 2.5 million fans attended 2011 Super Rugby matches which was an increase of 697,000 on 2010 Super Rugby.
Local derbies, a key feature of the conference system, had on average 4,000 more through the turnstiles.
Mr Peters added there were 31 extra games in the new Super Rugby conference format in comparison with the 2010 Super Rugby season.
“We believe New Zealand can bounce back on the back of the World Cup,” the SANZAR CEO said.
“There’s a hope that we can build off the euphoria of the World Cup.”
“But it’s not a given, it’s a challenge.”
The Reds success was a huge driver for the Australian market, with the Super Rugby Final’s Series viewing number smashing local records.