Canal+ Looks To Break Audience Record With PSG-FC Barcelona Clashes

In France, pay-TV channel Canal+ "is rubbing its hands together" as it prepares to air the home and away legs of the quarterfinal Champions league clash between FC Barcelona and Paris St. Germain, according to SPORTUNE. Knowing the "craziness that took place" at the PSG ticket offices after the draw took place with between 700,000 and 1 million ticket demands, "it is easy to figure out that the audiences will be strong for Canal+." PSG's round of 16 tie against Valencia "was already significantly profitable" with 1.74 million viewers for the home leg and 1.85 million for the return leg. The Barcelona clash will possibly "beat or at least get close" to breaking Canal+'s audience record of 2.84 million viewers for its Feb. 24 broadcast of PSG-Marseille (SPORTUNE, 3/20).