Winter sports on television is a beloved tradition for millions of fans, and this season is no exception. With hours-long live broadcasts coming up next weekend, fans can't wait to tune in and keep their viewing habits consistent, resulting in top ratings for winter sports that few other sports can boast.
Just how much winter sports can you watch on TV? Well, you'll be happy to know that public television once again offers around 400 hours of live coverage. ARD and ZDF will be alternating their broadcasts on weekends, with ARD leading the way this year. If you're looking for even more winter sports action, Eurosport has you covered with a more extensive program than Erste and Zweite.
Saturdays and Sundays are the main broadcasting days for major channels, with occasional streams on Fridays available on digital platforms. During the week, there are usually only biathlon broadcasts on traditional television, such as the one coming up on ZDF next week.
If you're unsatisfied with what the public broadcasters offer or feel it's too limited, you can turn to Eurosport or the paid streaming service discovery+, which is part of the Warner Bros. Discovery media group. With a program comprising 1100 hours across its various platforms, Eurosport offers nearly 600 winter sports events, many of which are live streams on "eurosport.de".
Public television's ratings counters are eagerly anticipating the winter season. Last year, live broadcasts pulled in an average of around 2.2 million viewers, often surpassing 4 million for the most popular sports. ARD and ZDF's average market share for around 400 hours was an impressive 18.3%, well above typical figures.
Biathlon is the undisputed king of winter sports viewing, with nine biathlon races landing in the top ten most-watched live broadcasts of the winter sports season. Ski jumping gives biathlon a run for its money, with the New Year's ski jumping event of the Four Hills Tournament placing fourth with 4.658 million viewers.
ARD, ZDF, and Eurosport continue to call on the expertise of sports legends, such as Sven Hannawald (ski jumping), Felix Neureuther (alpine skiing), and Laura Dahlmeier (biathlon) for this season. New and returning presenters and experts ensure that winter sports fans have a knowledgeable and engaging team guiding them through the thrills and spills of the season.
Whether you're a fan of biathlon, alpine skiing, or ski jumping, winter sports on television has something for everyone. So grab a blanket, sit back, and enjoy the winter sports festivities - they're almost here!
[1]: The given enrichment data does not directly address the question of how many hours of winter sports will be broadcast on ARD, ZDF, and Eurosport this season. However, it provides detailed information about the schedule and events of the Alpine Ski World Cup 2024/2025, which should help fans plan for upcoming broadcasts.
[2]: To answer your questions accurately, you would need to refer to the broadcasting schedules or press releases from ARD, ZDF, and Eurosport. Keep in mind that these organizations typically release detailed broadcasting plans for major sports events like the Alpine Ski World Cup. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the official websites of ARD, ZDF, and Eurosport or contact their media relations departments directly.
