Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup coverage suffers abysmal ratings

Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup coverage suffers abysmal ratings – after the network paid $100million to secure the broadcast rights

The Melbourne Cup failed to deliver blockbuster ratings for Channel 10 on Tuesday.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the network’s coverage of the event drew in 1.86 million viewers – a three per cent drop from last year.

However, there was a 47 per cent increase of livestream viewers on digital platform 10 play.

Results: Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup coverage suffered abysmal ratings on Tuesday after the network paid $100million to secure the broadcast rights. Pictured Bec Judd

In Sydney, 320,527 viewers tuned in to watch the race, which was won by Twilight Payment, while there was a two per cent drop in viewership in Melbourne.

Channel Ten’s Chief Content Officer Beverley McGarvey said in a statement: ‘The Melbourne Cup is one of the greatest sporting events of the year and we were proud to again partner with the Victoria Racing Club to bring it to all Australians and to people around the world.

‘In what has been a difficult and challenging year for so many people, the Lexus Melbourne Cup provided a much-needed distraction.’

Ratings: The network's coverage of the event drew in 1.86 million viewers - a three per cent drop from last year

Ratings: The network’s coverage of the event drew in 1.86 million viewers – a three per cent drop from last year

‘The big audiences across all of 10s platforms highlight that no other sporting event captures the mood and attention of the nation quite like the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We are delighted that so many Australians engaged with our extensive, creative and entertaining multi-platform coverage.’

Last year, Channel 10 reportedly paid $100million to secure the broadcast rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival until 2023.

It marked the first time the network had screened the race in 18 years after the rights were lost to Seven.

Broadcast: Last year, Channel 10 reportedly paid $100million to secure the broadcast rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival until 2023. Pictured: Channel 10 racing presenter Francesca Cumani and horse trainer Peter Moody at Flemington Racecourse in 2019

Broadcast: Last year, Channel 10 reportedly paid $100million to secure the broadcast rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival until 2023. Pictured: Channel 10 racing presenter Francesca Cumani and horse trainer Peter Moody at Flemington Racecourse in 2019

However, Ten’s broadcast of the carnival in 2019 drew 500,000 fewer viewers than Channel Seven’s coverage in 2018.

Figures suggest that 1.32 million metro viewers tuned in to watch the 3pm race.

In 2018, Seven recorded 1.836 million metro viewers, while coverage of the race between 2015 and 2017 averaged around 1.943 million. 

Disappointing: However, Ten's broadcast of the carnival in 2019 drew 500,000 fewer viewers than Channel Seven's coverage in 2018. Pictured: Former Studio 10 co-hosts Georgia Love and Kerri-Anne Kennerley

Disappointing: However, Ten’s broadcast of the carnival in 2019 drew 500,000 fewer viewers than Channel Seven’s coverage in 2018. Pictured: Former Studio 10 co-hosts Georgia Love and Kerri-Anne Kennerley