Audiences for the latest State of Origin series may look impressive, but alongside previous years they’re disappointing.

Damien Cook (centre) in action during game one of the 2021 State of Origin series (Image: AAP/Darren England)

State of Origin game three managed 2.52 million nationally (1.74 million in the metros, 774,000 in the region). The game couldn’t crack a million viewers in the biggest market in Sydney — 902,000, still very solid but a million or more looks better. Likewise in BrisVegas, 502,000 is also very solid, but a figure of more than 700,000 would have shown real interest.

The game averaged 155,000 in Melbourne and was easily beaten by Seven’s The Front Bar with 213,000. It was a wonder the game was played at all given the COVID disruptions in the lead up.

Tonight — AFL and the Tour de France (the latter with 241,000 last night and early today). A killer stage and another tonight with two massive mountains to climb in the short 129km.

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