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Tag: Nick Hockley

  • Cricket Australia & Star Sports partnership soars with viewership surge

    Cricket Australia & Star Sports partnership soars with viewership surge

    Mumbai: Cricket Australia and Star Sports, the official broadcaster of Australian Cricket in India, are pleased to announce a surge in Indian viewership of the recently concluded Men’s Big Bash League (BBL) 2023/24 and Pakistan tour of Australia. More than 55 million viewers watched the entire BBL 23/24 season on Star Sports Network, 203 per cent more than the previous season, making it the most-watched edition in India. Furthermore, the broadcaster has recorded 3.75 billion minutes of watch time, 105 per cent higher than the previous season. The playoffs and the final on Star Sports were produced in five languages for the first time ever.

    Furthermore, the bilateral series between Australia and Pakistan witnessed more than 9.5 million viewers tune in for the 3 test matches, a remarkable 54 per cent increase compared to the previous Pakistan tour down under.

    The increased interest in Australian Cricket after a successful World Cup campaign in India and the promise of action-packed contests combined with growing penetration of the Star Sports Network (available in nine out of 10 pay TV homes), a well-rounded marketing campaign promoting the Australian summer and high-quality broadcasts customised for Indian fans, paved the way for this surge in viewership.

    Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said, “We are delighted with the strong interest in Australian cricket in India and that this has translated into such big viewing audiences on Star Sports. It is particularly pleasing that the BBL has reached a massive 55 million viewers this season, which is a testament to the quality of cricket and the brilliant coverage being offered by Star Sports, including in multiple languages for the BBL Finals. That more than 9.5 million viewers tuned into Star Sports for the recent series against Pakistan is a testament to the interest in this world champion Australian team and the enduring passion for Test cricket in India.”

    “We can’t wait to host India next summer for the five-Test Border Gavaskar Test Series, at a time when Australia and India are the two top-ranked Test teams in the world. We look forward to working with Star to expand our localised offering to Indian fans in time for next summer’s blockbuster season”, he added.

    Disney Star head sports Sanjog Gupta said, “The growth in viewership for the Australian summer is testament to the compelling combination of Australian Cricket’s popularity, Star Sports’ brand equity (as the most loved destination for sports) and the TV network’s wide distribution.  The significant growth in watch time and engagement also demonstrates the Indian fan’s appreciation for quality Cricket and willingness to watch different forms of the sport. The added context of Australia’s World Cup win in India and key content initiatives including the addition of Indian languages for BBL playoffs, have acted as boosters to the inherent strength of this collaboration between CA and Disney Star. We are thrilled with the strong start of the journey together.”

    Star Sports is currently airing the West Indies tour of Australia, a riveting series comprising two tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Considering the growing interest in Australian cricket on Star Sports, the T20Is between Australia and West Indies will be broadcast in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada on the Star Sports Network. The Women’s cricket series between Australia and South Africa is also being aired on the Star Sports Network in India. As the partnership between Cricket Australia and Star Sports continues to evolve, fans can expect even more exciting initiatives, innovative technology, and captivating content that will further elevate the cricket viewing experience for viewers across India.

    Source: BARC 2+U+R

  • Bangladesh beats India in the inaugural SCG Multicultural Cup 2023

    Bangladesh beats India in the inaugural SCG Multicultural Cup 2023

    Mumbai: The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed a dazzling showcase of multicultural cricket talent at the SCG Multicultural Cup 2023. Eight community teams, representing diverse cultures, converged at this iconic venue for a spirited tournament that transcended borders and celebrated unity through sports.

    A special acknowledgement goes to AD Group of Companies, the title sponsor of this event. Adeel Malik from AD Group of Companies is the owner of this company, and without his invaluable support, this event would not have been possible. This sponsorship significantly contributed to the success and vibrancy of the SCG Multicultural Cup 2023.

    The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, cricket legends Brett Lee and Russel Arnold were present, offering their support and adding to the excitement of the tournament.

    This incredible event would not have been possible without the help and support of Venues NSW heads- GM Phil

    Reflecting on the significance of this amazing community cricket tournament, Brett Lee expressed, “This event provides players with the incredible opportunity to fulfil a dream by playing at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. It brings communities together and celebrates diversity, showcasing the power of cricket to unite.”

    Nick Hockley remarked, “What a fantastic event organized by Kamil Khan, this event will bring the community together and promote diversity, fostering a spirit of unity through the love of cricket.”

    Kamil Khan, the force behind the event, said, “The SCG Multicultural Cup shows how cricket brings diverse communities together. It reflects our shared love for the sport, and events like these play a big role in creating a sense of belonging and togetherness.

    Bangladesh won the SCG Multicultural Cup 2023, held at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. The final match witnessed Bangladesh defeating India, securing the championship.

    The SCG Multicultural Cup 2023 concluded with a grand award ceremony, honouring the participating teams and celebrating the success of an event that not only showcased cricketing excellence but also championed the values of diversity, inclusivity, and unity.