Germany's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the first round of Euro 2012 “translated to record ratings,” according to Scott Roxborough of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. In Germany, 27.2 million viewers watched public broadcaster ZDF’s coverage, which represents 75% of the viewing audience on the night and marks “a record for a first-round match” for the event. In the 14-49 age demographic, a "jaw-dropping” 80% of the audience watched the game. Meanwhile, 8 million Dutch watched the game, which “translated to a market share” of 83.2% for Netherlands 1. That was “also a record for a first-round game” at Euro 2012. The last time so many Dutch watched their national team in a Euro tourney was the ‘04 semifinals, when 8.5 million watched the Netherlands lose to Portugal. Ratings figures “were helped by the fact" that it was a midweek game and that cold weather kept many fans home instead of out in the pubs and public viewing areas across the two countries.” On “weekends and warm evenings, millions cram these public viewings, but they are not counted in official ratings figures.” The German-Dutch game “proved a strong ratings draw even among neutral nations." In the U.K., up to 9.8 million viewers, a 40% share, watched the match on the BBC. Roxborough: “The numbers showed that international soccer has lost none of its audience appeal. The European Championships actually appear to be growing in popularity” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/14).
ON THE OTHER HAND: Market research institute Media Control announced Thursday that Wednesday’s game "had the sixth-highest rating of any Euro match" since Euro 1992. The highest rated Euro match in Germany’s history was the Euro 2008 semifinal game between Germany and Turkey (HNA.DE, 6/14).
