WBBL pulls in huge tv ratings as A-League struggles

Joshua Thomas

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WBBL pulls in huge tv ratings as A-League struggles image

The third season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) returned with one massive bang on Saturday with a televised double header pulling in a huge audience.

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In the season opener between the Thunder and Renegades, an audience of 331,000 would tune into the second session shown on Channel 10 as the Renegades fell just short of an impressive run chase.

Not to be outdone, the proceeding game which saw the Sixers post a record first innings total of 242 as they swept past the Stars, had a peak audience of 469,000.



 

What makes these already very strong figures all the more staggering is the fact they blow away the free-to-air audience of 55,000 that tuned into the A-League's Sydney Derby held at same time as the Sixers clash.

While that match was on One HD rather than Channel 10, even on Fox Sports, arguably the A-League's biggest fixture, could only attract 81,000 viewers.

 

In a further indication of the concerning state of the A-League's popularity, 95,000 would then tune into SBS's coverage of the English Premier League game between West Ham and Chelsea broadcast from 11.30pm (AEDT).

Though a worrying night for the A-League, the WBBL and women's sport in general will be encouraged by Australia's growing appetite for sport regardless of gender. 


Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas Photo

Josh has been covering sport for nearly a decade now having fallen in love with football at a young age. A UTS graduate, Josh has previously worked for GOAL and now covers football closely for The Sporting News.