Last night the Nine Network scored massive ratings for coverage of the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final in which the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles avenged their 2007 loss by defeating the Melbourne Storm 40–0, the biggest grand final win ever, in this, rugby league’s centenary year.

The grand final was watched by a peak national audience of 2.465 million, with Nine’s coverage averaging 2.074 million across the five mainland capital cities. Nine screened the match live in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with 60.6 per cent of the audience tuning in to watch the Eagles win their first premiership in 12 years.

Across the East Coast stations, Nine’s live coverage of the game peaked at 2.289 million viewers and averaged 1.936 million between 5.15pm and 7.00pm (match time), securing a 66.3 per cent audience share.

In Sydney, the Grand Final audience peaked at 1.107 million at 6.59pm, after averaging 942,000 viewers between 5.15pm and 7.00pm – an incredible 75.5 per cent of the audience.

In Brisbane a huge 75.5 per cent of the audience watched the game, with a peak of 595,000 (5.59pm) and an average of 503,000 viewers between 5.15pm and 7.00pm.

In Melbourne, Nine’s live coverage won every quarter of its timeslot and attracted 48.9 per cent of the audience. The game attracted a peak audience of 587,000 (6.30pm) and an average of 492,000 viewers.

Nine’s coverage of the 2008 NRL grand final was also the number one show across the 5 City Metro for People 25-54, 16-39 and 18-49.

Nationally, Nine won Sunday night with a 33.2 per cent Total People share. Seven finished behind Nine with 25.2 per cent while Ten (18.8 ) was third.

In Sydney, Nine recorded a massive 42.2 per cent Total People share. Seven trailed behind Nine on 22.7 per cent, with Ten and the ABC (15.3) lagging 27.1 points behind Nine’s winning share.

Nine was again number one in Brisbane and Melbourne last night, with 34.6 and 29.1 per cent Total People shares respectively, leaving Seven (Brisbane – 25.5, Melbourne – 25.3) and Ten (Brisbane – 18.6, Melbourne – 21.6) behind