August 9 – The opening of the Bundesliga 2 season in Germany has recorded strong viewing figures according to pay-TV broadcaster Sky. While football in general, ahead of the big league kick offs, is rating comparatively well against the Olympics that are taking place in Rio.

The Friday evening primetime kick off between Kaiserslautern and Hannover with 260,000 viewers achieved a market share of 1.4% in the 14 to 49 age group. This was followed up with a Saturday broadcast pulling in 200,000 viewers and a 2.6% market share of the target group. Also on Sunday afternoon saw the 2. Liga on Sky then again 190,000 spectators. Over the weekend the pay channel recorded a market share of 1.5% among young viewers.

The figures prove that local teams and competitive matches scores higher with viewers than imported competition, even if the teams are bigger names. On Sat.1 on Sunday afternoon the friendly between Mainz 05 and Liverpool struggled to find an audience while Sport1 managed just 180,000 for the Hamburger SV and Stoke City friendly.

Sport1 did better with the International Champions Cup game that saw Liverpool beat FC Barcelona at Wembley – 200,000 German viewers tuned in. In contrast Manchester United’s Community Shield win over Premier League champions Leicester City in drew only 70,000 viewers in Germany.

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