German private-TV channel Sat.1 "recorded enormous ratings" for its broadcast of Super Bowl XLVIII, according to Manuel Weis of QUOTENMETER. Sat.1 started its Super Bowl broadcast at 12:05am on Monday morning. The pregame coverage attracted 1.4 million viewers and had a market share of 21.4%. The game, which started at 12:30am, was watched by an average of 1.59 million viewers during the first quarter. The number translated into a market share of 21.1%. In the target demographic 14-49, Sat.1's "ran Football" program obtained a market share of 31.7% in the first quarter. During the second quarter, which started at 1:15am, the market shares increased to 26% and 38.3%, respectively. The viewership number also stayed high with 1.45 million people tuned in to the broadcast. The halftime show featuring Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers attracted 1.19 million viewers shortly before 2am. The market shares jumped to 28.3% and 41.1%, respectively. In the third quarter, which kicked off at 2:30am, Sat.1 reached a market share of 45.6% in the target demographic. Despite this late hour, 1.15 million people watched the game from East Rutherford, New Jersey. The number equaled a 31.5% share. Audience numbers for the period after 3am will not be available until Tuesday. However, Super Bowl XLVIII has already exceeded the top ratings of last year's broadcast (QUOTENMETER, 2/3).
BUNDESLIGA: DWDL's Alexander Krei reported German public broadcaster ARD "attracted more than 5 million viewers to its 'Sportschau' program on each of the first two matchweeks of the Bundesliga's second half." However, the show "has trouble attracting the target demographic." Saturday's show had a market share of 15.8% in the target demographic. German pay-TV channel Sky obtained a market share of 10.8% with its Bundesliga simulcast on Saturday. Sunday's game between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt was watched by an average of 1.09 million viewers. Bayern's 5-0 win had a 6.6% share in the target audience.
WINTER SPORTS: DWDL's Krei also reported in addition to the Bundesliga, ARD "aired plenty of winter sports over the weekend." Saturday's coverage of the FIS Freestyle skiing World Cup event attracted an average of 1.44 million viewers around noon. The number translated into a market share of 15.8%. The following ski jumping broadcast obtained a market share of close to 16%. The second round of the event was watched by 2.74 million viewers (DWDL, 2/3).
