The 2025/26 Ashes set new audience benchmarks nationwide, breaking viewership records across free-to-air TV, BVOD and streaming platforms.
The series, which saw Australia win 4-1, delivered a winning innings for the Seven Network, reaching 14.2 million Australians, making it the highest-rated series ever, with an average total TV audience of 1.19 million across five Tests, up 12% year-on-year.
Seven recorded its highest-rated Test ever during the Boxing Day Test, with an average total TV audience of 1.52 million, up 16% on last year.
On average, 246,000 people streamed each session on 7plus Sport, up 94% on last year.
Seven Network director of sport Chris Jones said it has been an “unbelievable” start to the Summer of Cricket.
“Even with Australia retaining The Ashes by the Adelaide Test, audiences continued to surge right through to the Boxing Day Test and the Pink Test, delivering record-breaking numbers across Seven and 7plus Sport.
“With new, younger audiences flocking to 7plus to stream the cricket, paired with a growing linear broadcast audience, it’s a powerful reflection of the nation’s passion for the sport and firmly solidifies cricket as Australia’s favourite summer sport.”
Kayo sets new streaming records
The series also delivered the highest average audience of any Test on Kayo Sports and 1.3 billion minutes streamed.
Audiences were up 31% compared to the Australia v India series in 2024/25, and up 112% on the last Ashes played on Australian soil in 2021/22.
Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley said it was an exhilarating series with twists that no one could have anticipated.
“The success of this series on our platforms reflects the deep connection audiences have with our coverage, alongside the strength of cricket across the country,” he said.
“Congratulations to the Fox Sports team, Cricket Australia, the England Cricket team and, of course, the Australian cricket team on an incredible series that gave us many moments to remember.”
Fox Sports aired every Test live and in 4K Ultra HD with no ad breaks during play.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said he is “enormously proud” of the Australian team’s efforts in retaining the Ashes with a dominant display.
“This yet again underlined the strength of our high-performance program, including our coaches, selection panel and support staff,” he said.
“The enormous crowds and audiences for the series were beyond even our most optimistic forecasts, and we’re delighted that so many Australians enjoyed the action in brilliant stadiums, on the couch or at the beach.”