Post by Wicked Cricket on Aug 5, 2020 11:58:34 GMT
Now here's a thought on one of the busiest cricket news story days in many weeks. First, shouldn't the ECB ask each of the 18 counties to send in their live stream viewing figures covering the first of their BWT matches? Here is information from Nottinghamshire.
And this from Scyld Berry of The Telegraph.
"...Yet tens of thousands of people watched this game online, on Somerset’s live stream. Shortly before 4pm on the third afternoon they chalked up 100,000 views in the day, the first time a Somerset first-class match had drawn a six-figure number of views, and 126,000 by the close. In the UK, the average viewer logged on to Somerset’s live stream for half-an-hour. Most of their viewers come from India, about a quarter of the total, but they log on for a minute on average. After India and the UK, the majority of Somerset’s viewers come from Bangladesh and Pakistan: Pakistanis began following Somerset when Azhar Ali, now the Test captain, played for them in 2018 and Babar Azam in 2019. Somebody in a bar in Thailand was also watching to see if this could be Somerset’s year to win the Bob Willis Trophy, if not their first County Championship."
And there it is. Live-streaming is by far and away the best possible avenue to promote county cricket. Nothing can beat it. If there is an O/S player involved in the side from across the world, for example, supporters from that country will tune in and watch. And why it is vital that each county improves their live-streaming in every potential way. Then, Counties can charge supporters for the privilege and make an absolute fortune. Top case scenario: £5 a day x 100,000 worldwide viewers = £500,000 x 4 = £2m. Counties have been asleep to this incredible money-spinner. Insanely, Rip Van Winkle asleep.
Scyld Berry continues, "Live streaming has come a long way since counties first broadcast what their two fixed web cams, designed for their team analysts, saw. Somerset, in addition, this season have three other fixed cameras and a slow-motion camera, and a roving cameraman, all washed down with BBC local radio commentary on the game. It is a pity so many people who want to watch county cricket on a midsummer’s day cannot do so; but this glass is half-full, as never before."
So, Sussex CCC media staff, sort out all the live-streaming gremlins once and for all. Employ some more camera people, hire an editing suite, use Somerset as the present example to emulate and let us save the future of championship cricket via charging for live-stream games. Even just a couple of quid a day to log on. I am quite happy to watch an important football game via NOW TV (SKY affiliate) and pay £9.99 for the privilege. What's a fiver for a whole day's play of Championship cricket?
Come on Rob and the other 17 county CEOs, the next step is so blatantly obvious.
And this from Scyld Berry of The Telegraph.
"...Yet tens of thousands of people watched this game online, on Somerset’s live stream. Shortly before 4pm on the third afternoon they chalked up 100,000 views in the day, the first time a Somerset first-class match had drawn a six-figure number of views, and 126,000 by the close. In the UK, the average viewer logged on to Somerset’s live stream for half-an-hour. Most of their viewers come from India, about a quarter of the total, but they log on for a minute on average. After India and the UK, the majority of Somerset’s viewers come from Bangladesh and Pakistan: Pakistanis began following Somerset when Azhar Ali, now the Test captain, played for them in 2018 and Babar Azam in 2019. Somebody in a bar in Thailand was also watching to see if this could be Somerset’s year to win the Bob Willis Trophy, if not their first County Championship."
And there it is. Live-streaming is by far and away the best possible avenue to promote county cricket. Nothing can beat it. If there is an O/S player involved in the side from across the world, for example, supporters from that country will tune in and watch. And why it is vital that each county improves their live-streaming in every potential way. Then, Counties can charge supporters for the privilege and make an absolute fortune. Top case scenario: £5 a day x 100,000 worldwide viewers = £500,000 x 4 = £2m. Counties have been asleep to this incredible money-spinner. Insanely, Rip Van Winkle asleep.
Scyld Berry continues, "Live streaming has come a long way since counties first broadcast what their two fixed web cams, designed for their team analysts, saw. Somerset, in addition, this season have three other fixed cameras and a slow-motion camera, and a roving cameraman, all washed down with BBC local radio commentary on the game. It is a pity so many people who want to watch county cricket on a midsummer’s day cannot do so; but this glass is half-full, as never before."
So, Sussex CCC media staff, sort out all the live-streaming gremlins once and for all. Employ some more camera people, hire an editing suite, use Somerset as the present example to emulate and let us save the future of championship cricket via charging for live-stream games. Even just a couple of quid a day to log on. I am quite happy to watch an important football game via NOW TV (SKY affiliate) and pay £9.99 for the privilege. What's a fiver for a whole day's play of Championship cricket?
Come on Rob and the other 17 county CEOs, the next step is so blatantly obvious.
