MORE than 300,000 people tuned in and watched on television the AFL game in Cairns last weekend, a 55 per cent increase on last year's figure.
Events Queensland chief executive officer John O’Sullivan said the television audience for Richmond’s home game against the Gold Coast Suns was 309,000, 238,000 on pay and 71,000 on free to air, with 200,000 viewers outside of Queensland.
"This was the highest rating pay AFL TV match on the Saturday of that weekend," he said.
"In addition to the 11,000 that turned out at Cazalys the event gave Cairns significant national exposure."
He said the increase from 199,416 in 2011 proved the worth of holding an AFL match in Cairns.
Mr O’Sullivan said it was a reason why AFL was chosen as a showcase event.
He said the good figures showed it was a wise decision to invest in the AFL game.
The increase in television viewers was because the game was shifted to night due to the new broadcast standard lights, there was increased interest after last year and it was a pivotal time of the season, Mr O’Sullivan said.
He said Events Queensland paid Richmond an undisclosed figure to stage the home game while AFL Cairns received the gate takings.
"It has been good for the development of the game in Cairns," Mr O’Sullivan said.
AFL national media manager Patrick Keane said the game in Cairns with the 11,000 spectator crowd and the television viewing audience was "an outstanding success."
He said the crowd and TV figures proved that it had been worthwhile bringing the game to the city for the second year.
Mr Keane said taking top level games to regional cities such as Cairns and Darwin was undoubtedly successful.
AFL Cairns president Gary Young said the images of thousands of people at the ground in shorts and T-shirts would encourage AFL fans in the south to make the trip north next year.
The Suns won the game 13.12 (90) to 13.10 (88).
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 10:29