Austrian free-to-air TV channel ServusTV recorded outstanding ratings for its broadcast of the DEL Winter Game on Saturday. In the target demographic 14-49, the game broadcast recorded a peak market share of 2.6%. The game between Dusseldorf EG and Cologne Sharks attracted a peak audience of 240,000 viewers along with an average audience of 190,000 viewers. The numbers represent an increase in the viewing numbers of the league's first Winter Game in '13. DEL Managing Dir Gernot Tripcke said, "It was a tremendous feeling. We've experienced a gigantic family festival! The atmosphere, show, oustanding live coverage of ServusTV, the whole setup -- simply unique. It was an important step for the development of our sport" (DEL).
CRICKET CRAZY: STUFF reported the Cricket World Cup "will break new boundaries with India's clash against Pakistan expected to be watched by more than one billion viewers." World Cup organizers "expect it to be the most-watched match in the history of the game, eclipsing the same fixture at the last World Cup." The '11 semifinal between the two nations "drew a TV audience estimated at 988m." The Feb. 15 match in Adelaide "has been sold out for six months" (STUFF, 1/13).
