​The NRL grand final had many things the AFL grand final didn't: Jimmy Barnes, nationwide appeal, and in the end, way more viewers.

Both 2015 seasons culminated in glitzy grand finals over the weekend and despite the AFL's big name international acts, it was rugby league that smashed it out of the park.

Massive numbers watched Johnathan Thurston's Cowboys carry off the NRL trophy. Credit:Getty Images

At its peak, a whopping 4.4 million people tuned in to the NRL grand final between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday night - a new record for the league.