German private-TV channel RTL "obtained high market shares for its broadcast of the F1 qualifying session on Saturday morning," according to David Grzeschik of QUOTENMETER. The season's first qualifying session from Melbourne's Albert Park attracted 1.1 million viewers starting at 7am German time. The number translated into a market share of 23.8%. In the target demographic 14-49, the session, in which Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the pole position, was watched by 490,000 viewers and had a 23.1% share. At 8am, the viewership increased to 1.17 million viewers. Ahead of the qualifying session, RTL attracted 400,000 viewers to its replay of the free-practice session. The free-practice session, which aired at 6am, obtained a market share of 15.1%. In addition, pay-TV channel Sky attracted 110,000 viewers to its broadcast of the qualifying session. The number equaled a market share of 2.3%. In the target demographic, Sky's broadcast was watched by 60,000 viewers and had a 2.8% share (QUOTENMETER, 3/16).
EUROPA LEAGUE: QUOTENMETER's Kevin Kyburz reported German private-TV channel kabel eins "recorded low ratings for its broadcast of the Europa League game between Juventus and Fiorentina on Thursday." The first half of the game attracted 1.02 million viewers and had a 3.2% market share. In the target demographic, the first 45 minutes were watched by 400,000 viewers, which resulted in a 3.3% share. Kabel eins' halftime analysis was watched by 670,000 viewers including 30,000 in the target demographic. The corresponding market shares were 2.2% and 2.6%, respectively. The second half of the game attracted an average of 960,000 viewers and had a 4% share. In the target demographic, the second half of the 1-1 draw was watched by 380,000 viewers and obtained a 4.1% market share (QUOTENMETER, 3/14).
CHELTENHAM RATINGS: In London, Chris Cook reported Channel 4 Racing "was able to take some comfort" from its Cheltenham Gold Cup viewing figures, with its Friday program peaking at 1.53 million, marginally up on last year's peak of 1.48 million. Although the average audience of 804,000 was below its '13 equivalent, as had been the case through the week, it was down by only 4% and the audience share was up by 1.5%, "another consistent theme of the week" (GUARDIAN, 3/15).
