Greater Western Sydney GIANTS 2012 NAB Cup debut has proved a ratings winner with sports fans.
The GIANTS-Collingwood clash at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday night was watched by 259,000 people.
Pay TV viewers found the clash between the League's most popular club and its newest, just a bit more enticing than the traditional NRL Charity Shield clash between St George-Illawarra and South Sydney, which attracted 244,000 viewers.
Also at the same time, 79,000 people were watching an A-League clash between the Brisbane Roar and the Melbourne Victory.
Collingwood's other NAB Cup clash, against the Western Bulldogs was watched by 242,000 people, while the final Friday night clash between Richmond and Hawthorn, was viewed by a healthy 288,000.
Seven of the 10 most-watched programs on Foxtel over the weekend were Fox Footy match broadcasts.
As part of the new media rights deal negotiated by the AFL, Foxtel purchased exclusive rights to all NAB Cup matches except for the Grand Final, which will be simulcast on the Seven Network.
