Big Bash lift for Ten's ratings and revenue TEN Network's broadcast of the Big Bash League cricket has given it a substantial ratings boost and will see increased advertising revenue over the next 12 months. Research by CCZ Equities media analyst Roger Colman shows that Ten's recovery program is on track after several flat years, and that by the beginning of next year the network will be in a position to charge advertisers significantly more for the BBL given its success this summer. The report also predicts Nine Entertainment to pass Seven West Media in revenue share projections by 2016, 38 per cent of revenue share compared with Seven's 37 per cent, with Ten at 25 per cent. The first week of the year saw Ten's ratings share increase 13.5 per cent from the same period last year to 26.8 per cent, while the second week had the network increasing its share by 15.4 per cent to 27.8 per cent. Given these results, the analysis concludes Ten will have a better sense of "how much it can risk on start of season programming" in 2015. Ten's position will gain further strength from next month's Sochi Winter Olympics and the V8 Supercars in 2015. "In (2015) Ten will be able to charge correctly for Big Bash ratings," says the report, which was published yesterday. Ten undersold Big Bash this season. Group A Touring Cars return to Ten in CY15. This is the best, although relatively modest, weekend sport counter to AFL and NRL. There are reasonable advertising dollars behind autos. The report further predicts revenue increases for Ten of 12 to 13 per cent this year and an increase in revenue share by 2017 to 25.5 per cent, up from 21.6 per cent last year. Despite the vote of confidence, Ten remains the third-placed commercial broadcaster in terms of market share, with Seven still dominating, followed by Nine. The CCZ research follows the latest SMI data that shows ad spending on free-to-air television has increased to its highest level since December 2010. Nine's broadcast of the Ashes series saw it claim 45.9 per cent of free-to-air advertising in December, while Seven claimed 33.1 per cent and Ten 21 per cent.