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Seven West Media and Cricket Australia are in another dispute, this time over the ratings for the season opener in the Big Bash League.
In a year where the two parties have argued over timing, hubs, and the quality of the BBL, it was no surprise that everyone judged the ratings for the BBL opener Thursday night between defending champions Sydney Sixers and Hobart differently for Hurricanes.
When comparing the ratings only at the start of the last two years, the five-city subway average was 375. 000 on Thursday was 20 percent below the previous year’s figure of 467. 000 and 32 percent below the 555. 000 from 2018-19. Thursday’s national number, including regional ratings, came in at 615. 000 by 16 percent below the 732. 000 last year and 25 percent below the 824. 000 from 2018-19.
Seven and Cricket Australia argue over the ratings for the BBL season opener between the Sixers and Hurricanes. Photo credit: Matt King
Pay TV broadcaster Fox Sports also saw a decline, from a national audience of 249. 000 last year to 205. 000 without the Kayo streaming service. However, Cricket Australia points out that Fox Sports’ average is up 8 percent from last season’s average, and when the Kayo numbers are factored in, it’s up 19 percent.
A Foxtel spokesperson said the network is happy with the latest numbers across all platforms « to continue a great summer of cricket ». .
The industry newsletter Mediaweek stated on Friday that Seven won the time slot on Thursday evening. It was also noted that the match on Seven and Fox Sports had a combined audience of approximately 870. 000 had.
CA advises that the Hurricanes are a small team market, but they deserve to play on the opening night as multiple games are being played at a Hobart hub due to the COVID-19 protocols. The season opener last year consisted of the big market clubs Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder and started one night after the first test between Australia and New Zealand was completed, allowing Seven and Fox Sports to step up their promotions.
Sources at seven said Friday the hurricanes should not have been manned on opening night and that even the 6,000 capacity visits to the Blundstone Arena could not be met, adding to the lack of atmosphere.
This season also started a week earlier than last year, and many families are still busy with the school year. CA expects a clearer sign of support to emerge following the clash between the major Melbourne Stars market clubs and the heat in Canberra, which is also home to games in a hub.
Regardless, Seven executives remain concerned about the coming season and continue to wonder why CA decided not to leave the hubs after state lines reopen.
Seven remains in dispute with CA over the planning of the BBL, which was originally planned right after the first match day of the first test against India at the beginning of December in Brisbane. This was changed when CA turned the season around and decided to start the international summer with white ball cricket, which angered Seven. The network has argued that the BBL lacks star power, a claim that CA denies.
Seven has taken its dispute to the Australian Chamber of International and Commercial Arbitration, arguing that the annual rights fee should be reduced by more than $ 75 million. She has also filed filings with federal court to gain access to correspondence with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Foxtel, and state governments in a preliminary investigation.
Former CA boss Kevin Roberts had dubbed the launch of a revamped « BBL 02 » this summer after years of decline – a plan that wowed Seven’s sporting director Lewis Martin – but that phrase was abandoned after he left, according to Roberts was court documents.
Jon Pierik is a cricket writer for The Age. He also reports on AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
Big Bash League, Twenty20, Cricket Umpire
World news – AU – The season opener in Big Bash intensifies the dispute between Seven and Cricket Australia
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