August 12, 2024

Alistair Dobson Highlights Significant Growth in Indian Viewership for BBL and WBBL

“We had a significant increase in our audiences globally this year, particularly in India off the back of our new media rights deal,” said Dobson.

To capture the growing Indian audience, the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are working to infuse more Indian elements into their tournaments. Alistair Dobson, General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, recently emphasized a significant surge in Indian viewership, driven by a new media rights deal that has expanded the leagues’ presence across the subcontinent.

“We had a significant increase in our audiences globally this year, particularly in India off the back of our new media rights deal, in India, which has shown significant growth in the viewership,” Dobson said.

The growing interest from Indian fans has been remarkable, positioning India as a crucial market for both the BBL and WBBL. Last season, the addition of renowned Indian cricket commentators like Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle was a strategic effort to better connect with and engage Indian audiences.

“It was amazing to have those guys commentating the BBL. They bring such expertise and interest to our game and they, from all reports, they really loved what they saw. And we’re hoping to see a few global commentators out here again this summer and obviously with a big international summer ahead,” Dobson mentioned.

Dobson also discussed the potential for incorporating more Indian talent into the leagues.

“We’re very fortunate in the WBBL that Indian players of, you know, whether that’s Harmanpreet Kaur for the (Melbourne) Renegades or others that have been in our competition and had such skill and capability and leadership.”

“So we’re always working closely with other boards around the world about how we can grow our competition and make it as accessible as possible and that won’t stop,” Dobson said

Over time, the BBL and WBBL have attracted global stars who have impacted the prestigious Australian T20 leagues.

Tom Curran Looks for BBL Redemption Following Last Year’s Umpire Controversy

13 Aug 2024

Curran faced a four-match suspension after confronting fourth umpire Muhammad Qureshi during a heated pre-game incident ahead of a BBL match.

English all-rounder Tom Curran, currently playing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, is set to return to the Big Bash League for the 2024-25 season. He is available for the tournament as the Melbourne Stars have signed him to a two-year pre-draft deal.

In retrospect, Curran pointed out that he only participated in two more games prior to his season being cut short by a knee injury. This incident resulted in a four-match punishment. He thanked the Sydney Sixers for their unwavering support during the ordeal and fondly recalled his six-year tenure with the franchise.

“Obviously, the way that whole situation panned out last year wasn’t how anyone wanted it to happen. I don’t feel like it was an issue with the Sixers. We fought the case together and they backed me which I really appreciated. Whenever I represented the Sixers, I felt like I did them proud, not just on the field, felt like I gave it my all, immersed myself in the culture, and made some amazing friends,” stated Tom, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

It just felt [like] the right decision, a good time for a change: Tom

Tom explained his decision to pursue a team switch, clarifying that the sudden end to his time with the Sixers had nothing to do with any problems with the players or staff. Instead, it was simply a choice to seek new opportunities.

“I got a decent idea that they were looking at other [overseas] options and they couldn’t commit at the same sort of [level] that the Stars were showing. It just felt [like] the right decision, a good time for a change. And with the multi-year contracts, I feel like a person who wants to be loyal to teams, you don’t want to be chopping and changing. Absolutely, it didn’t end the way I wanted it to, but the decisions that were made and the way it panned out was not anything to do with the people I actually dealt with and where my loyalties were,” added Tom.

The Sixers are reassessing their overseas player options for the upcoming season in preparation for the draft on September 1. With Steve O’Keefe’s retirement, securing a spinner is reportedly a top priority for the team.

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