The viewership decline for F1 races on German free-to-air TV "continued" in '15, according to the SID. German free-to-air TV channel RTL drew an average of 4.2 million viewers for this year's 19 races. The average market share of its broadcasts was 24.4%. During the '14 season, RTL recorded an average market share of 28.2% as an average of 4.35 million viewers tuned in. This year's decline is significantly less than during the previous season. RTL drew an average of 5.28 million viewers and obtained a 31.9% share for its race broadcasts in '13. RTL Sports Dir Manfred Loppe: "Certainly the early championship decision took the wind out of our sails, the excitement was simply gone" (SID, 11/30). DWDL's Alexander Krei reported RTL "drew less than 4 million viewers for its broadcast of the season-ending Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix." The race, which was won by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, attracted 3.83 million viewers on Sunday. In comparison to '14, this year's Abu Dhabi GP drew almost 2 million less viewers. RTL's broadcast obtained a 20.3% market share. In the target demographic 14-49, the F1 race recorded a 17.7% market share.
SNOW AND FOOTBALL: German public broadcaster ARD attracted 3.95 million viewers for its coverage of the biathlon relay at 3:28pm on Sunday. German free-to-air TV channel ProSieben Maxx drew a peak market share of 9.4% in the target demo for its broadcast of the NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. It "was a new record for ProSieben Maxx." The game's fourth quarter attracted 290,000 viewers starting at 12:49am. The earlier game between the N.Y. Giants and Washington Redskins drew a 2.8% market share on Sunday (DWDL, 11/30).
DAVIS CUP FINAL: In London, Mark Sweney reported Andy Murray’s Davis Cup win "was watched by a peak audience of 5 million on Sunday" as Great Britain "claimed the trophy for the first time in 79 years."
Murray’s win over Belgium No. 1 David Goffin "is almost certainly one of the most-watched Davis Cup matches of all time" in the U.K., as Great Britain claimed victory for the first time since '36.
BBC1’s overall coverage, which ran from 12-3:45pm, "drew an average of 3 million viewers and a 22.9% share."
The "five-minute peak audience hit 5 million" between 3-3:05pm as Murray finally defeated Goffin in three sets after a three hour match (GUARDIAN, 11/30).
