Four and half million fans tune into Channel 4 for incredible super over
Nearly eight million viewers watched the closing moments of England’s amazing Cricket Word Cup final win over New Zealand – four and half million of them via free-to-air television on Channel 4.
Following an agreement with rights-holders Sky, who also attracted millions of viewers for its coverage, Channel 4 showed the first free-to-air England match for 14 years.
The viewing figure would likely have been even higher had the closing overs not have clashed with a gripping Wimbledon men’s final, being shown on BBC1, which saw Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in a five-set thriller.
Those who did tune into the Cricket World Cup final were arguably treated to the greatest game in the sport’s history.
Viewing figures peaked during the super over, which ended with New Zealand needing just two runs from the final ball to claim victory. However, a scrambling Martin Guptill was run out as England’s Jos Butler lunged to whip off the bails, kicking off wild celebrations at a packed Lord’s.
Free-to-air cricket coming soon to the BBC…
It’s been previously announced that the BBC and ECB has struck a five-year deal to make the broadcaster the “exclusive, free to air home for cricket”. The deal, which runs from 2020-2024, will feature live coverage of two England’s men’s international T20 matches, one England women’s T20 international, and some domestic games.
BBC Director General Tony Hall said when the deal was announced: “The BBC is delighted and the public will be too. It’s long been our ambition to bring live cricket back to BBC television. I’m thrilled to see that ambition realised. Cricket is an integral part of the British summer and the BBC will be putting its full weight behind the nation’s favourite summer sport."
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