BBL grand final records lowest to date

Josh McDonnell
By Josh McDonnell | 18 February 2019
 

Seven and Foxtel's combined coverage of the Big Bash League grand final for the 2018/2019 season has recorded its lowest average audience for the series to date, drawing in a total average audience of 703,000 (free-to-air metro and Foxtel).

The Melbourne derby between the Stars and the Renegades came down to the final over, as the Stars were unable to capitalise on a strong start to their run chase, falling 13 runs short of victory.

The match was down 23% when comparing the total audience of Seven and Foxtel to Ten's coverage of last year's grand final, which drew in 912,000 viewers.

When comparing the free-to-air audiences, the final was down close to 50%. While a drop off in viewership was to be expected as a result of the shared broadcast, the figures are substantially lower.

Elsewhere in ratings, Ten's I'm a Celeb grand final was unable to keep up with Nine and Seven's primetime offering, with the 'Winner Announced' segment drawing in 894,000 viewers, compared to 1.29 million for Married at First Sight (MAFS) and 905,000 for My Kitchen Rules.

The I'm a Celeb 'Grand Final' segment drew 684,000. The announcement improved on last year’s finale, which drew 872,000 metro viewers, however the finale itself was down on compared to last year's audience of 696,000.

Despite the strong start for the show in its initial two weeks, going up against the Australian Open, the series was unable to hold onto momentum once MAFS and MKR launched.

The show was the first major program to air for Ten in its first summer without the Big Bash, and was the launchpad for its new "alternative entertainment" strategy.

In the overnight main channel battle, Nine's MAFS, nightly news bulletin and 60 Minutes proved too strong for Seven, despite the Big Bash final and My Kitchen Rules. Nine took out the top spot with a commanding 24.2% share, while Seven and Ten followed with 18.4% and 12.8% shares, respectively.

Ten will be hoping for a strong performance in the primetime slot tonight as it launches the revamped version of Dancing with the Stars, which will go up against both MAFS and MKR.

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