County cricket is like the church of England and Tory Party. Reports of its death are a perennial. But it never quite happens. The fact is people tend to get older and develop perspective, even wisdom, that long form cricket plays to. And despite fears to the contrary, an ageing population seems given. So longer form cricket should be targeting a growing market. My biggest concern is getting people into the funnel. It starts with playing. At primary school. Local clubs have replaced cricket in secondary schools for 93% of the population. ECB and Chance to Shine MUST connect the two. Then comes watching. It probably needs more FTA but, to be honest, your average Gen Z is more likely to inadvertently find themselves watching live action on You Tube than Sky or BBC. Which is why the county livestreaming is so important and not just in massaging your test match ticket buyers. It needs some investment though not a paywall. Just patching in local BBC radio commentary to wonky camera pictures is not enough. Every county should take a look at how Somerset do it. It's a naughty pleasure.
County cricket is like the church of England and Tory Party. Reports of its death are a perennial. But it never quite happens. The fact is people tend to get older and develop perspective, even wisdom, that long form cricket plays to. And despite fears to the contrary, an ageing population seems given. So longer form cricket should be targeting a growing market. My biggest concern is getting people into the funnel. It starts with playing. At primary school. Local clubs have replaced cricket in secondary schools for 93% of the population. ECB and Chance to Shine MUST connect the two. Then comes watching. It probably needs more FTA but, to be honest, your average Gen Z is more likely to inadvertently find themselves watching live action on You Tube than Sky or BBC. Which is why the county livestreaming is so important and not just in massaging your test match ticket buyers. It needs some investment though not a paywall. Just patching in local BBC radio commentary to wonky camera pictures is not enough. Every county should take a look at how Somerset do it. It's a naughty pleasure.
Thanks John! Very helpful. And I’ll check out the Somerset stream on their next home CC match