Big Bash scores with TV viewers
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash-scores-with-tv-viewers-20131221-2zs41.html
December 22, 2013
Chloe Saltau
The Big Bash League's debut on free-to-air television was hailed as a success, with Channel Ten's audience for the Melbourne derby exceeding Cricket Australia's expectations.
The Melbourne Stars' innings, lit up by Luke Wright's blazing start, attracted 804,000 capital-city viewers, peaking at 1.01 million.
''They were fantastic figures,'' said BBL boss Mike McKenna. ''One game only, but a really good start for us on Ten. We were being conservative at 500,000 but 800,000 is a great start.
''The Melbourne audience was really strong, and that was part of the plan to start off with the derbies and get the competition off to a good start.''
The average audience on pay television last season was about 225,000. Ricky Ponting made his commentary debut alongside his former vice-captain Adam Gilchrist and Damien Fleming, who was part of the Fox Sports coverage in the first two BBL seasons.
The crowd of 25,266 at the MCG was what CA expected for the pre-Christmas clash. The opening round continued with the Sydney derby on Saturday night.
