Significant increase in live TV overnight viewing figures for the World Championships, particularly in the host country Czechia and in France
Various competitions saw notable increases in live viewing hours, with the Mixed Relay showing the highest surge (+17%)
High market shares and audience averages achieved in several countries, showcasing the event’s increasing global appeal

Eurovision Sport can announce significantly increased overnight viewing figures for rights holders across all the action at the 2024 BMW IBU World Championships Biathlon in Nové Město, Czechia. 

The World Championships, which ran from 7-18 February, were a fitting showcase for the sport of biathlon, its athletes, and dedicated fans – and highlighted the event’s growing global appeal and impact. 

The event aired in over 50 European territories by a line-up of EBU Members and other broadcasters, including L’Equipe in France and Eurosport as a pan-European broadcaster.

The numbers are impressive. There was a significant 37% increase in live hours viewed for the Championships in the home country, with France following closely with a 23% increase compared to last year’s event. 

The highest surge in live viewing hours compared to 2023 was in the Mixed Relay (+17%), followed by the Single Mixed Relay (+13%), the Men’s Individual (+7%), the Women’s Sprint and Individual (both +5%) and the Men’s Sprint (+1%). 

Other headline viewing figures include:

•    In the domestic country Czechia (CT) as well as in France (L’Equipe), all 11 competitions significantly increased compared with the previous edition, while the Women’s Sprint (+62%, CT) and the Women’s Individual (+50%, L’Equipe) had the highest increases 
•    In France, l’Equipe reached a live average audience of 1.8 million viewers for its coverage of the women’s mass starts on Sunday 18 February, marking its highest live average audience since L’Equipe began broadcasting biathlon events
•    In Norway, coverage of both the women’s and men’s mass start races on Sunday 18 February achieved the highest market share of the Championships (81% and 83%)
•    In Germany, ZDF scored its highest average audience of the Championships (4.6 and 4.4 million) for its coverage of the men’s and women’s mass starts on Sunday 18 February
•    Coverage of the women’s relay race on Saturday 17 February achieved the highest market share of the Championships in five markets: Austria (36%); Czechia (36%); Finland (56%); Germany (35%); and Slovenia (33%)
•    In Sweden, coverage of the women’s mass start race on Sunday 18 February achieved the highest market share (78%) of the Championships while both women’s and men’s mass start races reached the highest live average audience on Sunday 18 February

Glen Killane, Executive Director, Eurovision Sport, said: “The remarkable success of these World Championships is a testament to the outstanding collaboration between the EBU, the IBU, and the local organizers in Nové Město. The electrifying atmosphere in the stadium during all the events underscores this achievement. The substantial investment and dedication from our rights holders in advancing biathlon have undoubtedly paid off, as evidenced by the impressive figures showcased here.” 

The overnight viewing figures have been collated from eight European biathlon TV markets*: Austria (ORF); Czech Republic (CT); Finland (YLE); France (L’Equipe); Germany (ARD & ZDF); Norway (NRK & TV2); Slovenia (RTVSLO) and Sweden (SVT).

*Sources: AGTT / GfK (Austria); ATO - Nielsen Admosphere (Czech Republic); Finnpanel Oy (Finland); Médiamétrie - Médiamat (France); AGF / GfK (Germany); Kantar Media (Norway); Nielsen (Slovenia); MMS / Nielsen (Sweden)

Don’t miss the upcoming competitions in the IBU World Cup calendar. Watch the action LIVE on the brand new Eurovision Sport streaming platform!