Miracle catch nets increased viewers for Big Bash on Ten
A catch being touted as one of the greatest ever helped Ten to some of its best ratings in the Big Bash League clash between the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers last night.
Sixers fielder Jordan Silk was trending on Twitter following the incredible athletic catch, which helped his side to a tense four-run victory, and Ten to figures of 754,000 for the second innings of the match, according to preliminary overnight figures from OzTam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl37RbSwXOA
It was the seventh most-watched show of the evening, with the first session which started at 7.30pm just behind with 702,000 viewers, and the post game show hanging on to 600,000 viewers in 10th spot, while the main match sessions were first and second in the 18-49 and 16-39 demographics.
How does a catch during the middle of match drive an increase ratings? I think the ratings would have been there regardless of the catch (which was good but not the ‘best ever’). That catch may drive ratings for future matches once more people have seen it, but it is highly unlikely that word spread quick enough to entice people to tune in mid way through the match. It wasn’t available to view on highlights online until after the match.
The Big Bash League can best be referred to as Channel TEN’s Cinderella. TEN might be at the ball now and enjoying a good ratings time, but in less than a month it will all be over and TEN will turn into a pumpkin (or a turkey) again.
Ratings are there because its great content and great coverage. Certainly more interesting than watching a test match, 5 days is a long time.
Steve, I get the feeling you’re not a ‘digital native’. Word spreads fast these days. Things trend on twitter almost instantly.
Che, no offence but you’re way off calling me not ‘digital native’ (silly buzzword btw). I’m just realistic that an event that occurs during a match (i.e. a pretty decent catch) does not drive ratings for that particular match. I have been analysing Sports Ratings for many years and isolated events like this, unless it is truly incredible and unique like a hat-trick or a tragedy, are just not a driver in increased TV ratings for the match that it occurred. Minute by minute eTAM data confirms no spike as a result of the catch. Such incidents may increase interest and drive an increase in ratings for subsequent matches however.
And I maintain, that the majority of people who did NOT watch the match probably heard about the catch this morning on the News or on news websites, rather than in real-time last night. Yes trends can occur instantaneously on Twitter, but the volume of Tweets is relatively low, and it’s also reasonably likely that those who are engaging with cricket on social media are also watching the sport at the same time.
Well here it is Monday morning and i have just heard about this catch. Did watch the Test though.