For what it's worth, TV ratings for Super Rugby in Australia have much improved after also leaving Fox Sports (or being dumped??), and moving to a mix of Free to Air (Channel 9) and streaming (Stan Sports).
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/ratings-up-an-average-of-144-as-harvey-norman-super-rugby-au-prepares-for-finals-2021426-news
https://www.comparetv.com.au/news/free-to-air/how-to-watch-or-stream-super-rugby-live-australia/#:~:text=Stream%20Super%20Rugby%20Live,which%20starts%20from%20%2410%2Fmonth.
But also hugely helped that with Rugby AU there was an Australian winner!! TV ratings may fall aware as the Australian teams continue to lose in the Trans Tasman comp (Aussie teams currently 0-10). Winning is good for ratings, losing not so much.
Having said that, there was only Super Rugby AU (ie no TT comp) last year, once Covid hit - so moving away from Fox Sports and having a Free to Air component may well be a big reason for the improved ratings.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/ratings-up-an-average-of-144-as-harvey-norman-super-rugby-au-prepares-for-finals-2021426-news
https://www.comparetv.com.au/news/free-to-air/how-to-watch-or-stream-super-rugby-live-australia/#:~:text=Stream%20Super%20Rugby%20Live,which%20starts%20from%20%2410%2Fmonth.
But also hugely helped that with Rugby AU there was an Australian winner!! TV ratings may fall aware as the Australian teams continue to lose in the Trans Tasman comp (Aussie teams currently 0-10). Winning is good for ratings, losing not so much.
Having said that, there was only Super Rugby AU (ie no TT comp) last year, once Covid hit - so moving away from Fox Sports and having a Free to Air component may well be a big reason for the improved ratings.