TV Football Viewing In Decline, Says Report

UK viewing figures for TV football games are in decline, according to a recent report from TV Sports Markets. As the price of football broadcasting rights run into billions (see The Game Isn’t Over Yet, Says Greg Dyke), the research shows that average audiences are down compared to last season.

The first Premier League games shown on Sky Sports had average audiences 18.5% lower than last year, at 1.08m. Nationwide League matches on Sky Sports were down 23% year on year, and ITV’s first three Champions League games were down 17.9% compared to last season.

Media analysts have suggested that coverage of the sport has reached saturation point. In particular, summer tournaments such as this year’s Euro 2000, mean viewers are tired of the game by the start of the season in autumn. Alternatively the wider number of platforms across which the sport is available could indicate a dispersion of viewers.

Two weeks ago cable group NTL withdrew its bid for the pay-per-view rights to Premier League matches, unable to agree final terms with the FA (see NTL Withdraws From Premier League Deal), and calling into question the inflated value of football broadcasting rights.

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