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Big Bash League ends on a high

The BBL Final draws a crowd for TEN with the network wrapping its summer series.

TEN’s Big Bash League finished on a high last night pulling 1.04m viewers as the Adelaide Strikers triumphed over the Hobart Hurricanes.

That was enough to win its early timeslot (save for MKR from 7pm), capping off a successful summer run for the sport. The Final even helped push I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here ahead of Married at First Sight.

The competition averaged 649,000 viewers per game (rising to 947,000 with regional viewers). Across the first five weeks of 2018, TEN has achieved its highest ever commercial shares in 25 to 54s.

The Women’s Big Bash League drew a high of 235,000 for its post-game portion.

TEN Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson, said: “We are very proud of our coverage of the KFC Big Bash League and the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League and the great audience numbers they generate every summer.

“The success of our coverage reflects the highly successful partnership between Cricket Australia and Network TEN, a partnership that has made both BBL and WBBL must-watch television for many Australians during summer. We look forward to building on that partnership in the years ahead.

“Our thanks go to James Sutherland and his team at Cricket Australia. Thanks also to Network TEN’s David Barham and our very talented on-air team team and production staff, who work tirelessly to deliver world-class, compelling and highly entertaining cricket to viewers every season,” he said.

Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash, Kim McConnie, said: “The women’s and men’s Big Bash Leagues have yet again captured the attention of people right across Australia this summer, as we have seen through record attendances and the impressive television audiences that have been drawn to the Network TEN broadcast.

 

“This Big Bash season would not have been as successful without the commitment of Network TEN, whose production across the BBL and WBBL has yet again been exceptional, and we are thankful for their continued support.”

TEN’s Network Executive, BBL, David Barham, said: “Cricket Australia and Network TEN have worked hard to make the KFC Big Bash League and the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League a success – for the fans, the players, the teams and the viewers.

“Over the past five seasons, BBL has become an essential part of the Australian summer, drawing big crowds and big television audiences, and we are delighted to have played a part in that.”

• Average game audience, capital cities only: 649,000 viewers.
• Audience reach: 9.78 million people.
• #1 in its timeslot in total people, 25 to 54s and under 55s.
• Average game audience, capital cities only, Session 2: 724,000 viewers.
• #1 in its timeslot in total people, 25 to 54s and under 55s.
• Average game audience, capital cities only, Session 1: 594,000 viewers.
• #1 in its timeslot in total people, 25 to 54s and under 55s.
• Average game audience, capital cities only, Post Game: 342,000 viewers.
• #1 in its timeslot in total people.

10 Responses

  1. I’ll add some information for you— in the 7 seasons of the BBL, this is only the second that’s gone long late enough into the Summer to happen once ‘School’ goes back. Now that school is back, what has been advertised and done as a ‘Family friendly’ competition decided to play it’s Grand Final during a family friendly time on a Sunday evening for both fans at the ground and at home. Just because you don’t fit the ‘family’ demographic and the time doesn’t suit you, doesn’t mean that it’s a bad decision by TEN.

  2. Interesting times ahead with the recent Ten changes & upcoming new cricket rights deals. I really hope TEN can at least hold on to the BBL. I’m a lot more confident of that given their new standing. Maybe things are already in the works – quote above – “We look forward to building on that partnership in the years ahead”

  3. A superb effort all round and well worth the sacrifice for 6 weeks of family time over summer.

    Now, perhaps next year we can return the final match to prime-time. It made no sense that almost every game was 7-7.30 this year (except the double headers obviously) but the final was a twilight.. just so it wouldnt disrupt the I’m A Celebrity schedule?? Please…

    1. I completely agree. I went to turn the final on at 7:30, only to discover it had been on earlier in the day. A massive missed opportunity there from 10 I think.

        1. When youre a struggling network, whose only hit has been the summer ratings bonanza that is cricket – then it really is all about the cricket.

          We expect other networks to respect sports coverage, so TEN doesnt get a free pass in this situation. Every other year but this the final has been 730 – the only difference this year is a stupid jungle show. Do the math.

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