15% more viewers tuning in to cycling coverage
Posted on in Cycles News
The number of people watching British Eurosport's coverage of cycling events during 2015 increased by 15 per cent vs 2014 figures, the specialist sports broadcaster announced.
Viewing figures for the Classics and Grand Tours significantly increased when compared to the 12 months previous. The final stage of the Tour de France which saw Britain's Chris Froome claim his second Tour de France title was the best rating cycling programme in over a decade, recording 221,000 viewers.
In total, Tour de France viewing figures were up 12 per cent, Giro d'Italia up nine per cent and the Vuelta a España up 30 per cent.
One of the largest single-day increases was for the British RideLondon-Surrey Classic, whose audience rose 378 per cent. Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders also grew, increasing 33 and 40 per cent respectively.
British Eurosport managing director David Kerr commented "We have covered nearly 50 road cycling events live so far this season, as well as delayed coverage of many other events, including cyclo-cross and track cycling.
"The spring Classics were a huge success and viewing figures all three Grand Tours increased in 2015, with enhanced production and expert analysis contributing to the increase.
"When you look at these viewing figures in conjunction with the growth in membership of British Cycling and what we see on roads up and down the country, it's clear that cycling in the UK continues to grow on the back of the continued success of British riders on the road and the track."