Liverpool's match against Man City in October drew an average of 2.53 million viewers.GETTY IMAGES
Viewing figures for Premier League matches have leaped by more than 10% in the opening two months of this season, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. Sky has experienced a 12% increase on the same period last season, while BT Sport figures for top-flight English football have "soared" by 18%. BT Sport's Champions League viewer numbers are "up a staggering" 26% year-on-year. Broadcasting execs believe that "several different factors are behind the rise, including the feelgood factor carried over from England's success at the World Cup." Other developments that have promoted interest include the "José Mourinho-inspired soap opera" at ManU providing a "fascinating narrative to the season," as well as an "exciting title race building early," with Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea all still unbeaten. Liverpool's match against Man City on Oct. 7 was the "most-viewed live Premier League game," with an average of 2.53 million viewers. Sky has still not "clawed back the figures of previous years, which took a downward turn" at the start of the '16-17 season -- dropping by 20%. But the figures have "moved steadily back up since then" and last season included an overall rise of 5% compared with the previous 12 months. One broadcasting source said, "The positive feeling from England at the World Cup has definitely been a factor, and it has left fans feeling enthused" (LONDON TIMES, 11/20).
