BBC Ashes blog generates 3.6m page impressions for December

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 31-Jan-07, 08:00

LONDON - The BBC's Test Match Special weblog was the broadcaster's most visited blog in December, despite England's dismal attempt to retain The Ashes from Australia in a 5-0 whitewash.

According to the corporation's monthly statistics, the Test Match Special blog generated 3.6m page impressions, averaging 113 comments per post. The podcast also produced 175,000 downloads over December.

The Ashes is also being credited for a major leap in listeners for BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra which, along with sister station BBC Radio Five Live, created 475,000 hours of sports coverage - double November's figure.

The Test Match Special blog, which is still active, is now covering news of England versus New Zealand, and features contributions from BBC Radio Five Live cricket commentators Jonathan Agnew and Kevin Howells.

The BBC also recorded its largest online audience for over two years in December for BBC 6 Music's Selector 2006, which attracted 385,000 unique users for featured artists Oasis, Courtney Love and Moby.

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