There was no horsing around yesterday on Network 10, as the gripping live and free coverage of the Melbourne Cup Carnival bolted out of the gates with the AAMI Victoria Derby Day.
Hosted by the dynamic duo that is Gorgi Coghlan and Stephen Quartermain, 173,000 national viewers were transfixed watching Johnny Get Angry, ridden by Lachlan King and trained by AFL dual-premiership winning coach Denis Pagan, deliver an electrifying finish to the AUD$2 million thoroughbred feature race.
Showcasing a banquet of racing, fashion and entertainment, the AAMI Victoria Derby Day was #1 in its timeslot, including #1 in under 50s, 16 to 39s and 18 to 49s. The coverage reached 787,000 people across the capital cities and 279,000 in regional areas.
The coverage, also available to live stream on 10 Play, recorded 26,000 live stream starts, up 100% on 2019.
While punters could not physically attend Flemington to witness the dazzling races in person this year, they were not only able to catch all the action from the comfort of their couch, but the stunning sea of black and white that is synonymous with Derby Day came to life via virtual crosses to Australia’s fanciest fashionistas.
Network 10 Director of Sport Production, Adam Cush, said: “AAMI Victoria Derby Day never fails to deliver a cracking start to the country’s cherished carnival. Our broadcast in 2020 required a complete re-set. The seamless system we had in place for 2019 no longer applied in the new environment, which was a challenge our production team eagerly anticipated and embraced. 10 isn’t a one trick pony!
“The combination of our new on-air team, a fresh new studio on the front lawn of Flemington, and our motivation to truly demonstrate just how national the Melbourne Cup Carnival is, culminated in a Derby Day that will go down in history.”
No other sporting event captures the mood and attention of the nation quite like the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The fun, fashion and festivities continue this Tuesday, 3 November with the big one – the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Be sure to witness the world-class Group 1 thoroughbred racing in the AUD $8million Lexus Melbourne Cup.
We pause for a breather on Wednesday, before Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday, 5 November and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day on Saturday, 7 November.
Network 10 really does have everything you need to ensure you have the best position on the track this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Live And Free On 10 And 10 Play.
Source: OzTAM, 5 City Metro, Regional TAM, Combined Aggregate Markets, OzTAM National VPM.
