ASHES domination drives record wins for Seven and Kayo

Australia’s Ashes blitz delivers blockbuster ratings surge for Seven, 7plus and Kayo Sports

Australia’s rapid-fire victory over England in the opening Ashes Test didn’t just set records on the field — it also sent viewers flocking to their screens in massive numbers, with Channel Seven, 7plus Sport and Kayo Sports all reporting remarkable audience spikes.

Seven said the match reached 5.8 million Australians, with its average total TV audience hitting 1.17 million — a 60% jump on last year’s First Test against India and the network’s biggest start to a Test Summer. The broadcaster also confirmed that 7plus Sport delivered a record cricket audience, with streaming numbers soaring across both days in Perth.

Across the match, 7plus Sport pulled an average of 190,000 viewers per session, up 238% year-on-year. Day 2, Session 3 set a new benchmark for the platform, drawing 245,000 viewers — the highest cricket audience in its history.

The strong audience response followed a dramatic two-day contest in Perth on 22 November 2025, where Australia chased down a target of 205 in just 28.2 overs, courtesy of a blistering 69-ball century from Travis Head — the second-fastest ton in Ashes history. With Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten on 51 and Steve Smith striking the winning runs, the home side stormed to an eight-wicket win and a 1–0 lead in the five-match series.

England’s earlier collapse also kept viewers hooked, with Scott Boland ripping out three wickets in 11 balls and Mitchell Starc claiming a ten-wicket haul for the match, including two early breakthroughs that derailed the visitors’ innings.

Among Seven’s standout ratings moments were:

● Day 2, Session 3: National reach 2.97 million, audience 1.6 million, up 100% year-on-year.
● Day 1, Session 3: National reach 2.67 million, audience 1.18 million, up 18% year-on-year.
● Day 2, Session 2: National reach 2.45 million, audience 1.26 million, up 64% year-on-year.
● Day 1, Session 2: National reach 2.17 million, audience 1.05 million, up 42% year-on-year.

Seven’s Head of Cricket Joel Starcevic said the response reflected the power of the Ashes and the drama on the field.

Subscription audiences also hit new heights, with Kayo Sports registering its most streamed Test Match ever. Day 2 alone delivered a staggering 90 million minutes streamed, making it the platform’s biggest Test day on record.

FOX SPORTS Managing Director Steve Crawley said fans were captivated by the unpredictable nature of the short-lived contest.

With the broadcasters celebrating a ratings win and Australia already one up in the series, attention now turns to the next chapter in what’s shaping up as a fast-paced and fiery Ashes summer.

Credit: https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2025/11/23/ashes-domination-drives-record-wins-for-seven-and-kayo/?utm_campaign=27993156-SportsPro%20Daily%3A%20November&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--4SOgOk0h4UaSAuAT0W4plke2yukv-4yLv06e9xjuYwomZyJjwNbuHt-rxwe8_xHi1EPt_-kSH6Ysxw_yAGgR3AfFYDrV58MF39E9geVlrmeni7Vo&_hsmi=391420720&utm_content=391420447&utm_source=hs_email