Kayo Sports has celebrated its biggest weekend ever, smashing previous viewership records as Australian sports fans tuned in for an action-packed schedule filled with highly anticipated events. Over four days, from Thursday, March 13, 2025, to Sunday, March 16, 2025, the sports streaming giant recorded more than 879 million minutes streamed, marking the most minutes ever recorded on the platform during a single weekend.
The star attraction for the weekend was the Australian Grand Prix, which witnessed Lando Norris clinching victory for McLaren on Sunday. This event not only highlighted the thrilling excitement of Formula 1® but also became the most-watched Formula 1 race of all time across both Kayo Sports and Foxtel. The combination of stellar performances across various sports saw audiences flocking to the platform.
The extensive lineup also boasted exclusive coverage of the AFL and NRL, along with The PLAYERS Championship golf, World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour events, netball, NBA action on ESPN, and NBL Playoffs. The sheer variety meant there was something for every sports enthusiast, which played a key role in attracting unprecedented viewership.
Kayo Sports truly outdid itself with 450 hours of live sporting action offered over the weekend. Julian Ogrin, the CEO of Kayo Sports, expressed his excitement about the event: “It was a spectacular weekend of sport with Kayo Sports the only place to watch all the action from the F1®, AFL, NRL, netball, golf, basketball, surfing, and much more.” He highlighted the competitive advantage of being the sole provider for such diverse coverage: “We’re focused on delivering value for our customers, and this weekend we served up an unmatched 450 hours of live sport. The hardest thing for our customers was prioritizing what to watch.”
Mark Frain, CEO of Foxtel Media, underscored the significance of this record-breaking weekend not just for viewership but also for advertising performance. He declared: “Alongside our subscribers, our advertising partners also enjoyed a stellar weekend, with every campaign delivering emphatically.” Frain continued, emphasizing the momentum created by this weekend for their commercial partnerships, noting, “The success of the weekend continues the momentum on our strong start to the year, with our broad slate of top-tier sport offering an exceptional opportunity for brands looking to reach an engaged, sports-obsessed audience. We can't wait to share these results with our commercial partners.”
This formidable accomplishment not only reflects Kayo Sports's ability to attract viewers but also showcases the growing popularity of sports streaming. It draws attention to how audiences are increasingly valuing the flexibility and variety offered by streaming platforms, particularly during weekends packed with sports events. The evolution of viewer habits continues to challenge traditional sport broadcasting.
Indeed, Kayo's approach to providing extensive coverage from multiple sports is indicative of broader changes within the industry. While some traditional broadcasters struggle with viewer retention as audiences migrate online, Kayo has positioned itself as a front-runner by being the go-to platform for dedicated sports fans. The Australian Grand Prix and concurrent sporting events reaffirm the significant appetite for live sports content, which continues to resonate well with viewers across the country.
The weekend's phenomenal success has not gone unnoticed, as industry stakeholders keep close watch on the shifting dynamics of sports viewership. Kayo Sports has shown how powerful storytelling through live sports can be, offering narratives around athleticism, competition, and community engagement. With increasing numbers of fans tuning in for events, the platform's status is expected to grow.
Looking forward, Kayo Sports plans to capitalize on this momentum, with strategies aimed at enhancing viewer engagement through innovative broadcasting methods and exclusive content offerings. The recent weekend’s success sets a promising precedent for future programming and viewer interaction, ensuring Kayo remains at the forefront of Australia’s sports streaming revolution.
Overall, it was not just another weekend for Kayo Sports; it was monumental. The lessons learned and the viewer engagement strategies honed during this record-breaking weekend will likely influence how sports are delivered and consumed moving forward.
