Local media company WideBay ITV and Bundaberg Cricket Association have been bowled over after winning a national award for the locally produced program, The Cricket Show.
The program snapped up both the Cricket Queensland Media and Technology award and the Cricket Australia Media and Technology award.
The partnership between WideBay ITV and Bundaberg Cricket Association engaged the region's cricket community and created a new supporter base with its livestreaming of games.
The Cricket Show is a panel of sport lovers, who provide a weekly roundup of cricket in the Wide Bay region during 2022/23.
It is hosted by Rhys Grills and David Boge and produced by WideBayITV with executive producer Shaun Rose.
The show started when WideBayITV owner Phillip Harris wanted to broaden the reach of the Bundaberg’s Big Bash series.
Phillip said after sharing the idea with the Bundaberg Cricket Association it all fell into place seamlessly.
“They could see how the live streaming of each Friday night game would expand the reach and awareness of the sport and the Friday night competition while adding value to the sponsors that support them,” Phillip said.
“The reach was far beyond the fence at Salter Oval and lifted the BCA to the next level.
“The accompanying cricket show set the bar to the highest level ever in country cricket with viewers as far as the USA, India, UK and 20 other countries.”
WideBayITV live streamed the games each Friday night before the idea to start a talk show made up of a panel of passionate cricket lovers discussing everything cricket gathered momentum.
“This was a big surprise to us but goes to show that a small online country cricket show can, in its first attempt, win at state and national levels,” Phillip said.
“The series is a Bundaberg Cricket Association initiative that is being picked up by other regions across the state.”
Phillip said he was chuffed with the win of the Queensland award but then blown away even more by the national recognition.
“This was a big surprise and was not ever on my mind that we could win anything let alone in our first season,” Phillip said.
“We were contracted by the BCA to live stream the Bundy Big Bash Friday night T20 series and thought having a mid-week cricket show was a great way of keeping the momentum moving from one Friday to the next while adding some entertainment for all involved.
“We have a host and co-host with visiting guests from local cricket players to national and international cricket legends.
“International cricket star and (The) Cricket Show guest Michael Kasprowicz stated that The Cricket Show and the BCA have a model that should be rolled out across Queensland and the country.”
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