German public broadcaster ARD "recorded more than 5 million viewers for its broadcast of the biathlon world championships," according to Alexander Krei of DWDL. The women's pursuit race on Sunday afternoon drew 5.38 million viewers. The number translated into a market share of 26.7%, including 17.2% in the target demographic 14-49. An additional 220,000 viewers (1.1% share) watched the race on pan-European sports network Eurosport. Prior to the women's event, the men's event obtained a 1.2% market share as 210,000 tuned in on Eurosport. ARD's coverage of the men's pursuit race recorded 4.89 million viewers. The ski slalom later on Sunday afternoon drew a further 3.62 million viewers, with speed skating adding a single-digit market share. German free-to-air channel Sport1 drew a 1.4% market share in the target demo for its coverage of the Handball Bundesliga game between TBV Lemgo and Bergischen FC. The final of the UK Open in darts recorded 330,000 later on Sunday evening. The event had a 1.3% market share (DWDL, 3/7).
IN FRANCE: L’ÉQUIPE reported the men’s biathlon world championships drew an average of 900,000 viewers with a peak audience of 1.08 million spectators tuning into L’Équipe 21 last weekend. The women’s championships drew a peak audience of 785,000 viewers. Over the course of Saturday and Sunday the channel drew a 1.6% market share, representing its second best weekend on record (L’ÉQUIPE, 3/7).
