The fourth Ashes Test series between Australia and England delivered a record-breaking TV audience for a day of test cricket on Seven and 7plus Sport, but TV executives have reason to feel short changed.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG bowled up an average national total TV audience of 1.52 million, up 16 percent on last year’s Boxing Day Test. On 7plus Sport, a record 245,000 tuned in
on average to each session, which was up 93 per cent year-on-year. The Test reached 6.3 million across the two days, well above previous years.
Nonetheless, the test only lasted for two days, adding to the two days in the Perth test, leaving Seven short of six days of test match cricket in these fixtures alone.
“An action-packed two days at the MCG delivered massive audiences on Seven and 7plus, as England claimed their first Test victory on Australian soil since the 2010-11 Ashes,” Seven Network head of cricket Joel Starcevic said.
“Despite Australia already retaining the Ashes and the Test wrapping up far quicker than we would have liked, the record-breaking attendance figures and ratings once again proved cricket remains Australia’s number one summer sport”.
“After a whirlwind Test, attention now turns to Sydney for the final chapter of an epic Ashes series, as we celebrate the vital work of the McGrath Foundation throughout the Test and on Jane McGrath Day, from Sunday 4 January live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport,” he said.
At the MCG, several sessions delivered standout results across Seven and 7plus Sport over the two days. Day 1, Session 3 on Friday was the highest-rated session ever on Seven and 7plus Sport, ranking as the number 1 program across all people, 25-54s, 16-39s and grocery shoppers. It achieved a national reach of 3.2 million and a national audience of 1.84 million, up 18 per cent year-on-year, with a record 302,000 viewers streaming on 7plus Sport, up 114 per cent on last year.
Strong performance continued on Saturday, with Day 2, Session 3 also finishing as the number 1 program across the same key demos. It reached 3.12 million nationally with an audience of 1.6 million, again up 18 per cent year-on-year, while 251,000 viewers tuned in via 7plus Sport, an increase of 92 per cent. Earlier on Day 2, Session 2 recorded a national reach of 2.64 million and a national audience of 1.51 million, up 18 per cent year-on-year, alongside 247,000 streaming viewers on 7plus Sport, up 96 per cent.
Day 1, Session 2 on Friday also performed strongly, delivering a national reach of 2.63 million and a national audience of 1.59 million, up 2 per cent year-on-year, with 238,000 viewers on 7plus Sport, an increase of 71 per cent.
Seven’s coverage of The Ashes this summer is its highest rated Test series ever, reaching 12.6 million Australians so far. The four Tests have had an average total TV audience of 1.21 million nationally, up 22 per cent year-on-year, while streaming on 7plus Sport is up 129 percent.
Across the series, The Ashes has delivered consistent, large-scale audiences for Seven and 7plus Sport.
- The First Test reached 6.2 million Australians, averaging 1.15 million viewers nationally, up 57 per cent year-on-year, with an average 186,000 streaming each session on 7plus Sport.
- Viewership peaked with the Second Test, which reached 8.06 million Australians and averaged 1.21 million viewers, up 6 per cent on the First Test and 36 per cent on last year, while streaming averaged 195,000 per session.
- The Third Test reached 7.64 million Australians, averaging 1.08 million viewers, up 35 per cent on last year, with streaming up 201 per cent to 182,000 per session.
- The Fourth Test continued the strong momentum, reaching 6.3 million Australians and recording an average total TV audience of 1.52 million, alongside record streaming figures on 7plus Sport.
