For the second time in a matter of days Ten has been awarded for outstanding coverage of a TV production..
Ten’s 2013-14 KFC T20 Big Bash League team have won the prestigious 2014 Australian Sports Commission award for Best Coverage of a Sporting Event by a Media Organisation.
Judged by a panel of industry experts, this coveted award recognises a media organisation that has delivered exceptional coverage of a sporting event during the nomination period.
Network Ten’s 2013-14 broadcast of the KFC T20 Big Bash League season was up against some tough competition, with finalists including Nine Network’s 2013-14 Ashes Series, The Sunday Age’s coverage of the 2013 AFL Grand Final, the 2014 FIFA World Cup on SBS and AAP’s coverage of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The KFC T20 Big Bash League debuted on free-to-air television in December 2013 and was a ratings smash, taking T20 cricket to a whole new audience.
Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, said: “The KFC T20 Big Bash League beat all our ratings targets in 2013-14 and we are very proud to have the industry acknowledge our efforts. “You only have one chance to make a good impression and we worked hard to ensure our inaugural KFC T20 Big Bash League broadcast was a first-class television experience for viewers. “Our commentary team is the best in the business and they share a great chemistry on screen. They offer fans a refreshing, sharp approach to cricket commentary, giving viewers a genuine insight and providing us all with entertainment,” he said.
Australian cricket legend and expert commentator Adam Gilchrist collected the award on behalf of Network Ten at the awards ceremony in Sydney last night.
Adam Gilchrist said: “This award tops off a fantastic start to Network Ten’s cricket broadcasting. The success of the league and the broadcast last season show that the Big Bash has a prominent place on the sporting calendar and is now truly a part of the fabric of summer for millions of Australians. “I have no doubt that we will continue to grow the game and enhance the broadcast for fans around the country throughout the 2014-15 season.”
Network Ten also congratulates award finalists Nicole Livingstone, who was awarded a highly commended, and David Culbert for their nominations for Best Coverage of Sport by an Individual; Mark Howard and Jarvis Hunder for Best Profiling of an Athlete, Team or Coach for their documentary Defining Mick Fanning; and Matt Suleau for Best Promotion of Sport for People with a Disability
The 2014-15 KFC T20 Big Bash League season will commence live on TEN from December 18, 2014.