Austrian free-to-air TV channel ServusTV "can breathe a sigh of relief" as its ratings for the German Hockey League (DEL) trend upward, according to Manuel Weis of QUOTEN METER. The channel's "Servus Hockey Night" program, which showed Sunday's DEL game between Mannheim and Ingolstadt, "was watched by an average of 80,000 viewers in the target demographic 14-49." The number equaled a market share of 0.4%. Following the DEL game, ServusTV showed Red Bull Salute, the European Trophy final match-up between Swedish club Luleå Hockey and Karlstad. The game, which aired at 7:55pm local time, "attracted 20,000 viewers or a 0.1% market share in the target demographic" (QUOTEN METER, 12/17).
SNOW SPORTS: DWDL's Alexander Krei reported German public broadcaster ARD "broke the 4 million viewers mark for its coverage of women's biathlon race on Sunday." A total of 4.08 million viewers tuned in to watch the race, which equaled a strong ratings share of 22.4%. In the target demographic, the race received a 14.4% share. Ahead of the women's race, the men's biathlon race attracted 3.56 million viewers or a 21.6% share.
TROPHY TIME: German public broadcaster ZDF attracted 2.78 million viewers to its broadcast of the Athlete of the Year Awards. The number equaled a 13.9% market share.
WRESTLING WOES: German pay-TV channel Sky "will not show TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Impact Wrestling in '13." The reason for the end of the cooperation is reportedly a strategy change at TNA Wrestling, where management is unsatisfied with the pay-per-view sales numbers (DWDL, 12/17).
