Ange Postecoglou's triumph breaks streaming record as Australians tune in ‘in droves'
Ange Postecoglou's Europa League triumph has delivered a record audience for Stan, which has been on a spree of acquisitions to consolidate its status as a major rival to the Dazn-owned Kayo Sports amid heightened competition in Australian sports broadcasting.
Stan's live audience for Tottenham's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Thursday was the highest for a Europa League match since the streaming service obtained the Uefa club competition rights in 2021.
The number of viewers also eclipsed the audience for every Stan broadcast of the Champions League – the most prestigious European football competition – apart from the 2022 decider between Real Madrid and Liverpool, when the provider still offered a 30-day free trial and saw a spike in temporary sign-ups likely from Reds fans.
Ben Kimber, director of Stan Sport, said the audience watching Spurs and Postecoglou's victory was double the previous Europa League record.
'Off the back of a momentous morning for Ange Postecoglou and Australian football as a whole, we saw Aussies tuning into the blockbuster clash between Tottenham and Man United in droves,' Kimber said.
'It underlines our commitment to premium sport and world-class football, and shows the appetite that exists for it in this country.'
The Europa League final and record-breaking audience caps off a busy period for Stan, amid increasing activity in the broader sports broadcasting sector and growing speculation around the division of football rights in Australia.
The first benefits for Kayo Sports subscribers under new owner Dazn was confirmed this week when the Fifa Club World Cup – which has an international arrangement with Dazn – was confirmed to be broadcast by Australia's leading sports streamer in June.
The arrangement is another step in the splintering of football across streaming providers. However, some relief could be imminent according to reports that Optus Sport is considering relinquishing its English Premier League rights to the content-hungry Stan.
Stan and Nine secured a deal last week to show international rugby union including the home men's 2027 and women's 2029 World Cups, a month after securing access for Wallabies, Wallaroos and Super Rugby Pacific matches until 2030.
Its other recent deals include the Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen fight, and the fast-growing mixed martial arts league Professional Fighters League on top of its existing stable of rights which includes tennis, cycling and motorsport such as World Rally Championship, Indycar and Formula E.
Sign up to Australia Sport
Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk
after newsletter promotion
The chief executive at Stan owner Nine, Matt Stanton, confirmed this month the network was also interested in Formula One rights when they become available next year. They are currently held by Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
This week Amazon Prime also confirmed details around more than 100 NBA and WNBA games and additional coverage starting next season available to all Prime members. Alongside its existing ICC tournament coverage of cricket, the platform will also offer NBA League Pass subscriptions for those wanting access to more matches.
ESPN became available to Australian Disney+ subscribers in March, including live NBA and MLB coverage. Disney+ has secured the European rights to the Women's Champions League, although the Australian broadcast partner is still to be confirmed.
Stan and 9Gem will broadcast the men's Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale starting at 5am AEST on Sunday 1 June.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace discover likely date for verdict on European football ban
Crystal Palace secured their spot in next season's Europa League after winning the FA Cup but their participation in the competition is in major doubt with UEFA set to make a decision Crystal Palace face a near MONTH LONG wait to discover their European fate. The Eagles secured their spot in the Europa League at the end of the season after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. They were set to go straight into the league stage of the competition but there are now doubts over whether the south Londoners can actually compete in the tournament. UEFA rules forbid individuals having control of more than club to be in the same competition at the same time to avoid conflicts of interest. Eagle Football - the group owned by John Textor - is a minority shareholder in Palace, while they are also a majority shareholder in French side Lyon. Both clubs have secured qualification for the Europa League. As it stands, Lyon get priority over the Premier League side due to their superior league finish last term. Palace chiefs have attempted to win UEFA over by flying to their headquarters in Switzerland for talks. But it appears that Palace will have to sweat for a while over their prospects of playing Europe next season. That's according to the BBC, who say a decision from UEFA is not expected until at least the end of the month. The news will be a huge blow to Palace's hopes of planning for next season. Boss Oliver Glasner has already admitted that a place in Europe could affect their transfer ambitions. Speaking earlier this year, he said: 'From a financial perspective, Crystal Palace will never be a top-four club in England. Not with all the other big clubs here and that's not necessary because not everybody can be a top-four club. It's just not possible. 'This club got promoted in 2013. Since then, it has always progressed. Not huge steps. You can be a one-hit wonder and then you're gone. We said: our planning shouldn't be, 'Now we play in Europe, so let's do crazy things', and then everything collapses. We follow a pathway. 'This pathway didn't start with Oliver Glasner. It started with the new owners in 2010. Very stable, mid-table, always between 10 and 15. And this is where we are again. 'Now, it's step by step. Winning this trophy, playing internationally, getting this experience, and maybe getting some players we couldn't by playing European football. This can help us take the next step.' Palace have already seen one of their Premier League rivals take action regarding their European hopes. Nottingham Forest also saw a potential spot in the Champions League in jeopardy due to Evangelos Marinakis' ownership of Greek giants Olympiacos. He diluted his control of the East Midlands club by placing his shares in a blind trust. But Textor is unlikely to follow that example because he and Eagle Football do not have decisive influence over the Croydon outfit. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The stunning reason Hugh Jackman delayed announcing his sporting partnership with Ryan Reynolds
Hollywood superstars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have officially joined forces as co-owners of Australia's SailGP team, the BONDS Flying Roos, but it turns out the partnership has been in the works for months. The announcement was finally unveiled this week - but not without months of behind-the-scenes tension. Plans to announce the partnership were originally scheduled for January 2025. However, the reveal was postponed as Jackman's personal life unravelled in the public eye. In May 2025, Jackman's ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, filed for divorce in New York. The filing followed a September 2023 separation, ending a 27-year marriage that began in April 1996. Soon after, Furness issued a searing public statement referring to a 'traumatic journey of betrayal' and a 'profound wound.' Her comments reportedly blindsided Jackman, who had expected a more discreet resolution. The couple's split came amid speculation about Jackman's new relationship with Broadway co-star Sutton Foster. Their romance became public in January 2025, further fuelling headlines and public interest. Furness later claimed she felt betrayed, especially after Foster had tried to befriend her during the marriage. The emotional fallout and media frenzy put Jackman's professional ventures on pause. The planned January announcement of his sports ownership with Reynolds was shelved due to the controversy. Backers of the Australian SailGP team had hoped the noise would die down. But as the headlines persisted, they opted to go ahead with the launch regardless - despite it becoming the worst possible timing. Jackman and Reynolds are now officially the faces behind the rebranded BONDS Flying Roos. Reynolds and Jackman released a cheeky joint statement filled with their trademark wit. 'We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,' they wrote. 'Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing.' 'He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride.' 'Apologies in advance to Australia. No comment on whether we're writing this in our BONDS. No further questions.' The announcement comes as Wrexham, Reynolds' football club, prepares for a pre-season tour of Australia. It also adds another chapter to Reynolds' growing portfolio, which includes Aviation Gin and a stake in Alpine Formula One. Meanwhile, SailGP's Australian crew, led by Tom Slingsby, are leading the current championship with 39 points. Slingsby, who is also a co-owner and driver, welcomed Jackman and Reynolds with enthusiasm. 'This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport,' Slingsby said. 'They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour.' 'With BONDS joining as our Title Partner and the launch of the BONDS Flying Roos, we're building something distinctly Australian.' BONDS, now launched in the US with help from Robert Irwin, also sees the partnership as a defining moment. Tanya Deans, president of BONDS, called Jackman 'Australian royalty' in her statement. 'We're thrilled to join forces with such an iconic duo,' she said. 'And how do you say no to Hugh Jackman?' 'As we set sail on this new adventure, the BONDS Flying Roos have one less thing to worry about.' 'We've got their backs - and bums - covered.' The team's official rebranded debut will take place at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Daniel Levy's ridiculous decision to sack Ange Postecoglou is Tottenham's loss....he will go and win silverware elsewhere, writes Chris Sutton
Club appoints manager after years of being so allergic to success that there is a very word for their devotion to disappointment. Manager wins club their first trophy since 2008 to stop them from being so 'Spursy'. Club sacks manager. Make it make sense. I can't. Daniel Levy took his sweet time, and even then he came to the ridiculous conclusion that Tottenham are better off without Ange Postecoglou. It's their loss, not his. Tottenham fans had been craving an entertaining brand of football after being bored to tears for too many seasons. Postecoglou delivered them that, certainly in their first season. He lost Harry Kane, led them to fifth in the Premier League, and got them into the Europa League. The second season was a struggle, but he won them that European competition, even though he had to deal with being vilified as badly as Graham Taylor when he was branded a turnip. 'To Dare Is To Do.' That's Tottenham's motto. Postecoglou dared and did. But now? Now, he is available to go win silverware for someone else, and he will, I'm sure. His sacking sums up football, really. Don't get me wrong, Thomas Frank is an excellent, elite, experienced manager. He's turned Brentford into a stable Premier League club. Levy now wants Frank to turn Tottenham into a consistent Champions League club. Because clearly, that's the Spurs priority. Forget trophies. Levy wants to top the balance-sheet table. And yet I wonder what those fans who were in Bilbao will remember when they're old and grey and boring the grandkids by telling them the same story for the 1,000th time. Will it be the year they finished fourth? Nah. It'll be the glorious night they beat Manchester United to become winners in Europe. Postecoglou can leave with his head held high. He stuck two fingers up to his critics who mocked him for saying he would win in his second season. Now we'll never get to know what would have happened in season three, thanks to Levy, who did not even have the courage to add a quote into the club statement confirming Postecoglou's sacking, like when they got rid of Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho. Cheers, mate.
