Australian F1 Grand Prix Ratings On RTL, Sky Lower Than In '12; Winter Sports Top On ARD

German free-to-air TV channel RTL "has recorded around half-a-million less viewers to its Australian F1 Grand Prix broadcast in comparison to last year's race," according to Alexander Krei of DWDL. A total of 2.81 million viewers tuned in to watch Lotus driver Kimi Räikkönen win the race at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit. In the target demographic 14-49, the channel obtained a 41.3% market share. In addition, Sky's broadcast also received less viewers than it did in '12. An average of 230,000 viewers watched the race on the pay-TV channel. The number translated into a 3.5% share. In the target demographic, the race recorded a 3.2% share (DWDL, 3/18).

SPAIN: Free-to-air channel Antena 3's live morning broadcast of the Australia F1 Grand Prix was watched by 1.3 million viewers and a 60% share. The channel re-aired the race later in the day to the tune of a 29.3% share and 2.95 million viewers (VERTELE, 3/17).

FRANCE: Pay-TV channel Canal+'s live morning broadcast of the race saw 420,000 subscribers tune in to watch Räikkönen win (LE POINT, 3/18).

WINTER SPORTS: DWDL's Krei also reported German public broadcaster ARD "recorded strong winter sports ratings on Sunday." An average of 3.37 million viewers tuned in to watch the women's biathlon mass start race, which started at 10:27am German time. The number equaled a 27.8% market share. Following the women's race, the men's mass start race attraced 3.91 million viewers. In the target demographic, the two races obtained market shares of 19.4% and 15.1%, respectively. In addition, the women's giant slalom race was watched by 2.21 million viewers, while men's ski jumping attracted 2.76 million (DWDL, 3/18).