The first Test match of the 2023 Ashes series between England and Australia not only provided thrilling cricket on the field, but it also delivered record-breaking viewing figures for Sky Sports.
Despite England's heartbreaking loss in a nail-biting finish, their commitment to providing thrilling entertainment captivated the British public.
On the fifth day of the opening Test match, Sky Sports reached an unprecedented peak viewership of 2.12 million people. The average viewership throughout the entire match stood at 1.17 million, breaking a longstanding record set back in 2009 during an Oval Test against Australia.
In addition to traditional television viewership numbers, there were also an additional 1.8 million views via streaming platforms such as Sky's app, website and social channels. This demonstrates that interest surrounding this highly anticipated cricket series extended beyond just TV screens.
The BBC also experienced remarkable digital demand for its flagship radio coverage known as Test Match Special. With almost six million requests across BBC Sounds and BBC Sport combined, this level of engagement was described by officials as "unprecedented."
Tony Singh, chief commercial officer at the England and Wales Cricket Board, said:
“This first men’s Test kept us all on the edge of our seats and showed the thrills of Test cricket at its best."
“It’s great to see the excitement it’s generated across the country, whether it was the sell-out crowds inside Edgbaston or the millions watching on TV, online or listening.”
England's team, led by Ben Stokes, has made it clear that they aim to provide enthralling performances throughout this summer season. Despite falling short in their efforts during this particular game against Australia, they managed to strike a chord with fans across the country.
It is evident from these exceptional viewing figures that there remains a strong appetite for international Test cricket among sports enthusiasts in today’s digital age, where multiple platforms catered towards different preferences are available.
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