German private TV channel kabel eins "again pulled weak ratings" for its Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) broadcast on Sunday, however, the numbers are "heading in the right direction," according to Manuel Weis of QUOTEN METER. A total of 260,000 viewers tuned in to watch the pregame coverage and the first quarter of the BBL game between Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin. The number translated into a market share of 3.1% and 3.4%, respectively. During the second and fourth quarter, the game was watched by 360,000 viewers, while the third quarter attracted 300,000 viewers. The market share for the three quarters was between 3.1-3.8%. Kabel eins' basketball ratings continue to be below average, however, the numbers for Sunday's game "were above those of the channel's November broadcast, which obtained less than 2% in the target demographic 14-49" (QUOTEN METER, 2/11).
HOCKEY HISTORY: QUOTEN METER's Weis also reported German sports channel Sport1 "received satisfying ratings" for its broadcast of the Olympic qualification game of the German national hockey team on Sunday. The game, which started at 3pm German time, attracted 360,000 viewers. Germany's 3-2 overtime win against Austria was not enough and the team failed to qualify for Sochi 2014. It is the first time that Germany failed to qualify since '48. The game received a market share of 2% overall and 1.7% in the target demographic (QUOTEN METER, 2/11).
BIATHLON BOOM: DWDL's Alexander Krei reported German public broadcaster ARD "scored top ratings with its coverage of the Biathlon World Championships." An average of 4.11 million viewers tuned in on Saturday to watch the men's sprint race. The number equaled a tremendous 31.5% market share. Following the men's race, the women's sprint attracted 4.26 million viewers, which translated into a 24.1% share. In the target demographic, the race obtained a 12.2% share. Even "more people tuned in on Sunday to watch the women's pursuit race." A total of 4.69 million viewers watched Norwegian Tora Berger win pursuit gold. The men's pursuit race attracted 4.55 million viewers (DWDL, 2/11).
BUNDESLIGA KEEPS ROLLING: DWDL's Krei also reported German pay-TV network Sky Deutschland "received high ratings for its broadcast of Saturday's top match" between Bayern Munich and Schalke 04. The game attracted 1.11 million viewers. In the target demographic, Bayern's 4-0 victory obtained a very strong 6.5% share. In addition, Sky's simulcast of all six Bundesliga afternoon games on Saturday was watched by 1.13 million viewers. German public broadcaster ARD "also scored high ratings" with its Bundesliga-"Sportschau" highlight show on Saturday evening. The show was watched by a season-high 5.98 million viewers and recorded a 20.1% market share (DWDL, 2/11).
COPA HISTORY: In Spain, La1's broadcast of the basketball Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona Regal and Valencia Basket was watched by 1.9 million viewers and a 12% market share. The game was "the most-watched" in the entire competition, beating out the quarterfinal between FC Barcelona Regal and Real Madrid, which had 1.82 million viewers. Overall, 5.98 million people followed the Copa del Rey on TV this year (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 2/11).
CRICKET CRAZY: In Sydney, Michael Bodey reported preliminary OzTAM ratings revealed that "Nine's coverage of the dead one-day cricket match between Australia and the West Indies managed 1.078 million for its evening session." Nine had a 23.1% channel share, and a 28.9% network share, against Seven's 26.7% channel share (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/11).
