Second Test reaches 5.5 million viewers
December 30, 2023 -- Australia’s triumph over Pakistan in the second Test at the MCG was a summer hit for the Seven Network, with its live and free coverage reaching 5.5 million Australians nationally and averaging a daily peak audience of 850,000 viewers.
Following a soggy start to the Boxing Day Test, Australia was dominant early, before an unexpected turn on Day Three saw Pakistan take two quick wickets before lunch and immediately after, keeping the door open for an upset by the travelling side.
It was Mitchell Marsh who led the Australian fight-back on Day Three, falling just short of his fourth Test century with a bittersweet 96 runs, ultimately assisting the Aussies head into the final innings with a 316 lead. The Australian fight proved too strong for the tourists, with the home side eventually claiming the victory on Day Four, sealing the series win.
The second Test scored an average broadcast audience of 720,000 viewers. It dominated its timeslots, ranking #1 in all people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s.
The biggest audience was achieved with the third session on Day Three, which had an average of 948,000 viewers nationally and reached 2.1 million.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “Big crowds, big audiences, an emphatic Pakistan fight-back and Captain Pat on a roll, the Boxing Day Test did not disappoint – and there’s so much more to come this summer on Seven.
“From tomorrow, fans can tune into 13 straight days of epic cricket coverage with the Big Bash League in prime time – all before we hit the Finals – and the final instalment of the Australia v Pakistan Test, live and free from the SCG.
In brief
Seven Network says its broadcast of the second Australia-Pakistan Test at the MCG reached 5.5 million Australians and averaged 720,000 viewers. The match’s daily peak audience averaged 850,000, while the third session on Day Three drew an average of 948,000 and reached 2.1 million nationally. The network said the coverage ranked first in its timeslots among all people and the 25–54 and 16–39 age groups. Australia won the match on Day Four and secured the series. Seven also outlined upcoming cricket coverage, including Big Bash League matches and the final Test against Pakistan, followed by two Tests between Australia and the West Indies. Lewis Martin, Seven Melbourne’s managing director and head of network sport, commented on the audience and the summer schedule.
Key takeaways
- Seven Network reported a 5.5 million national reach for its coverage of the second Australia-Pakistan Test.
- The match averaged 720,000 viewers, and its third session on Day Three reached 2.1 million nationally.
- Australia won the match on Day Four and secured the series.
- Seven outlined upcoming coverage of Big Bash League matches and Tests involving Pakistan and the West Indies.
“With wall-to-wall cricket, headlined by the biggest names in the world, there is nowhere else to be this Summer than right here on Seven, Your Home of Cricket,” he said.
The live and free cricket action continues tomorrow on Seven, when the Adelaide Strikers face the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval from 7.00pm AEDT on Channel 7 and 7mate, before the third and final Test against Pakistan starts at the SCG on 3 January, live and free on Channel 7 and 7mate.
From Wednesday, 14 January, Seven’s cricket team will head to Adelaide Oval for the first of two Tests between Australia and the West Indies. With a Test rivalry dating back to 1930, Australia and the West Indies have produced some of sport’s most memorable moments – and next month will be no exception.
For more information, please contact:
Neil Shoebridge
M: 0417 511 012
E: [email protected]
Emma Francis
Senior Publicist, Sport
M: 0415 721 413
P: 03 9697 7763
E: [email protected]
Brittany Stack
National Publicity Manager, News & Public Affairs and Sport
M: 0410 724 424
E: [email protected]
About the Seven Network
The Seven Network is part of Seven West Media (ASX: SWM), one of Australia’s most prominent media companies, with a market-leading presence in content production across broadcast television, publishing and digital. The Seven Network alone reaches more than 17 million people a month.
The company is home to some of Australia’s most renowned media businesses, including the Seven Network and its affiliate channels 7two, 7mate, 7flix and 7Bravo; broadcast video on demand platform 7plus; 7NEWS.com.au; The West Australian; and The Sunday Times. The Seven Network is home of Australia’s most loved news, sport and entertainment programming. Its iconic brands include Australia’s leading news and public affairs programs 7NEWS, 7NEWS Spotlight, Sunrise and The Morning Show, The Voice, Home and Away, Dancing With The Stars, Australian Idol, My Kitchen Rules, SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife, The Chase Australia, Better Homes and Gardens, RFDS, The 1% Club and the TV WEEK Logie Awards. Seven Network is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia and Supercars.
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At a glance
- Company
- Seven Network
- Announcement
- Event
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
Key figures
- National reach
- 5.5 million
- Average broadcast audience
- 720,000 viewers
- Daily peak audience average
- 850,000 viewers
- Day Three third-session average audience
- 948,000 viewers
- Day Three third-session national reach
- 2.1 million
People
- Lewis MartinManaging Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport
