1.5 million watch Socceroos qualify for Brazil on SBS

The Socceroos delivered SBS its highest rating program so far this year with more than 1.5 million Australians tuning in to see them qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Iraq on Tuesday night.

SBS recorded an average national audience of 1.5 million (1.1 million metro and 406,000 regional) for the Socceroos' 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier, with a metro free-to-air audience share of 25 per cent.

This betters last week's match between the Socceroos and Jordan, which recorded an average national audience of 1 million (761,000 metro and 273,000 regional).

The match was the fifth most watched program on free-to-air TV last night.

It is also the highest rating Socceroos match on SBS since the network secured the rights for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the end of last year.

“The Socceroos qualifying for their third straight FIFA World Cup is a historic moment in Australian sport and I'm proud that all Australians were able to witness it on SBS," SBS Head of Sport Ken Shipp said.

"These figures are proof that Australia has truly embraced football as a mainstream sport and I'm pleased that all fans will be able to watch the Socceroos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup on SBS.”

SBS will broadcast the 2014 FIFA WorldCup LIVE and exclusive from Brazil from 13 June to 14 July 2014.

Source: OzTAM 5 City Metro, RegTAM Agg Reg, Total Individuals, Overnight data (Live + As Live viewing) FIFA WCQ: AUS v IRAQ MATCH 18 June 2013.