NFL in Frankfurt: RTL's Viewership Dips Below One Million
While the second and final installment of the North American Football League's Frankfurt showdown aired on RTL, the channel saw an average of 870,000 viewers, falling short of the million-mark. With a 5.6% market share, the Cologne-based private channel drew viewers as the New England Patriots suffered a 6-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts at the Hessian metropolis' stadium.
The initial game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins attracted a higher turnout, boasting 1.34 million viewers (7.8% market share) a week earlier.
RTL's disappointing numbers are quite a departure from ProSieben's viewing figures from last year. ProSieben managed to capture an average of 1.52 million viewers and held an 8.8% market share with their broadcast of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Seattle Seahawks.
RTL's NFL game broadcast rights, unearthed in September 2022, replaced ProSiebenSat.1 after over a decade. The contract extends from the current 2023/24 season, and lasts for a total of five seasons. DAZN, the popular streaming service, continues to air and broadcast the NFL regular season and playoff games.
Despite RTL's extensive rights for NFL games, Frankfurt's second game viewership plummeted, registering an average of 870,000 viewers. Furthermore, media scrutiny revealed that many fans opted for the paid streaming service DAZN. This shift might have been due to dissatisfaction with RTL's broadcast, as some viewers opted for DAZN's more captivating coverage.
Insight:
- Exclusive rights to the European League of Football (ELF)'s games, including NFL broadcasts, reinforces DAZN's status as the go-to streaming platform for this content. Furthermore, a global reach and marketing expertise have elevated DAZN's popularity, giving it an edge in capturing viewer interest.
- The similarity between the European League of Football (ELF) and the North American Football League (NFL) could be alluded to without explicitly mentioning the ELF. The targeted marketing strategies, along with the convenience and flexibility afforded by streaming platforms, attract a dedicated and younger viewer base, boosting DAZN's viewership and engagement.
- As the number of RTL's NFL viewers dwindles, the average rating and market share of the channel experience a decline. This potential dip in ad revenue may adversely impact RTL's overall standing in the competitive sports broadcasting industry.
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