While the Seven Network has been busy breaking cricket friendships in the Federal court, Foxtel has been breaking ratings records with its exclusive cricket coverage.
Game 3 of the Australia vs India ODI Series on Wednesday averaged 435K across the combined platforms of Foxtel, which includes traditional set-top-box customers, as well as streaming platforms including Foxtel Go/Now and Kayo.
The audience figure increased to an average of 552K for the night session as Australia’s batsmen attempted to chase down the 302 runs set by India.
The impressive ratings figures were up 33% compared to 2019’s Friday afternoon Game 3 ODI decider against India.
The strong Wednesday result comes after Sunday’s game 2 coverage became the most-watched ODI game ever on Australian STV with an average audience 586K across Foxtel’s platforms. Game 2 was the most-watched match since the 2015 World Cup Final which averaged 544K.
Game two of this year’s ODI series against India also ranks as the 3rd most-watched sporting match across STV platforms ever (behind the 2011 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final – 734K & Final – 649K)
Perhaps mention that it was also pulled off free to air, so to some degree it’s not the genius of Foxtel or a larger interest in cricket; it’s that a significant audience was barred from seeing it, and some will have picked up a Kayo sub, etc.