In brief
Seven Network says its live, free coverage of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan reached 4.9 million people nationally, with an average daily peak audience of 1.1 million. The match completed Australia’s Test-series sweep and marked David Warner’s farewell to Test cricket; Warner scored a half-century in his final innings, and Australia won the match. Seven reports an average broadcast audience of 644,000 and says the coverage ranked first in its timeslots among all people and the 25-to-54 and 16-to-39 demographics. The network also says the Pink Test generated 322,000 virtual seat purchases and raised $6.44 million for the McGrath Foundation. Seven announced upcoming Big Bash League coverage and a broadcast team move to Adelaide Oval for Australia’s Tests against the West Indies.
Key takeaways
- Seven says its third Test coverage reached 4.9 million people nationally, with an average daily peak audience of 1.1 million.
- Australia completed a Test-series sweep of Pakistan, with David Warner signing off from Test cricket with a half-century.
- Seven reports an average broadcast audience of 644,000 and first-place timeslot rankings across three audience groups.
- The network says the Pink Test raised $6.44 million for the McGrath Foundation through 322,000 virtual seat purchases.
Third Test reaches 4.9 million viewers
January 7, 2024 -- As the Australian team completed a clean sweep of the Test series against Pakistan with a fairytale farewell for legend David Warner, the Seven Network’s live and free coverage of the Pink Test at the SCG scored with viewers.
Seven’s third Test coverage reached 4.9 million people nationally and had an average daily peak audience of 1.1 million.
A heroic fightback by Pakistan late on Day Three led by newcomer Aamir Jamal’s sensational six-wicket haul was not enough to slow Australia’s unstoppable bowling cartel.
An impressive spell from Josh Hazlewood in the evening session to claim four quick wickets sent the pink-clad SCG crowd wild. It set the scene beautifully for David Warner to sign off in style with a batting masterclass on Day Four, farewelling Test cricket with a half-century in his final innings and helping Australia to within 11 runs of victory. Teammates Marnus Labuschagne (62) and Steve Smith (4) quickly completed the run chase to secure the series whitewash for the home side.
The third Test on Seven delivered an average broadcast audience of 644,000 and ranked #1 in its timeslots in all people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s.
The biggest audience came during the third session on Day 1 with an average audience of 897,000 nationally and an audience reach of 1.9 million.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “This New Year’s Test had it all, capped off with a dream farewell for one of the greatest opening batsmen Test cricket has ever seen.
“Off field, the power of sport to unite and connect communities right across the country was on full display as the pink took over the SCG and our broadcast, culminating in an astonishing 322,000 virtual seats purchased and $6.44 million raised for our proud partner, the McGrath Foundation, for the 16th annual Pink Test.
“From tonight, fans can tune into six straight days of blockbuster Big Bash League coverage in prime time as Test legends David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head and Alex Carey all return to their respective T20 teams in the race to the finals,” he said.
“It’s the summer of cricket, and it’s all right here on Seven, Your Home of Cricket.”
The live and free cricket action continues tonight, when the Brisbane Heat face the Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba from 7.00pm AEDT on Channel 7 and 7mate, followed by an epic week of Big Bash every weeknight this week as the competition edges closer to finals.
From Wednesday, 14 January, Seven’s cricket broadcast 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]
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.
Source: please contact Seven Network for source information.
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Questions around this news
How many people watched Seven's coverage of the third Test?
The release says the coverage reached 4.9 million people nationally, with an average broadcast audience of 644,000. Its average daily peak audience was 1.1 million. The largest session audience was on Day One, when the third session averaged 897,000 viewers and reached 1.9 million.
How did David Warner finish his Test cricket career?
Warner scored a half-century in his final Test innings, helping Australia move to within 11 runs of victory. Teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then completed the run chase. Australia won the third Test and completed a series whitewash against Pakistan, according to the release.
How much did the Pink Test raise for the McGrath Foundation?
The release reports that the 16th annual Pink Test raised $6.44 million for the McGrath Foundation. It also says 322,000 virtual seats were purchased. The pink-themed event took place at the SCG, and the release describes it as bringing communities together through sport.
What is the difference between audience reach and average audience?
Audience reach counts the people who watched or were exposed to a broadcast at least once during a specified period. Average audience measures the typical number of viewers watching at a given time, averaged across a program or session. Reach can therefore be higher than the average audience because it includes viewers who tuned in at different times.
What does it mean to win a Test series by a whitewash?
A whitewash in a Test series means one team wins every match in the series, leaving its opponent without a win. The term describes the overall series result rather than the margin in any individual match.
