Close to 170 million hours of live coverage of the European Championships Munich 2022 were viewed in the first six days (11-16 August) of the multi-sport event, according to early data from eight key markets.

This represents a significant increase on the first edition of the European Championships in Glasgow and Berlin in 2018 (albeit direct comparisons are not possible because the line-up of sports is different for Munich 2022).

The eight key markets to have reported viewing figures so far are: Germany (ARD & ZDF); Italy (RAI); Netherlands (NOS); Norway (NRK); Poland (TVP); Sweden (SVT); Switzerland (SRG-SSR); and UK (BBC).

Impressive viewing figures have been recorded by EBU Members for the Munich 2022 sports programme across Europe, including:

Germany

• ARD achieved a live average audience of 3.07 million for its Athletics coverage, followed by 2.85 million for Beach Volleyball, both on 15 August;
• ZDF’s top live average audience so far was 4.15 million for its Athletics coverage on 16 August, followed by 2.4 million for Triathlon on 14 August.

Italy

• RAI’s top live average audience was 1.6 million for Athletics on 16 August, followed by 0.9 million for Gymnastics on 14 August.

Netherlands

• NPO scored its highest viewing share so far for its coverage of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics finals on 14 August (27.5%), followed by Track Cycling on the same day (27.2%)

Norway

• NRK’s live coverage of the evening Athletics session on 16 August won a 55.2% audience share, followed by a 28% share for Beach Volleyball on the same day.

Poland

• TVP’s top live average audience was 0.79 million for Athletics on 16 August, followed by 0.38 million for Sport Climbing (Speed) on 15 August.

Sweden

• SVT won a 35% viewing share for its coverage of Athletics on 15 August.

UK

• The BBC’s top live average audience was 1.5 million for its Athletics coverage on 15 August, and it also scored a 19.4% viewing share for its coverage of a variety of sports (Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Track Cycling and Table Tennis), on the afternoon of 16 August.

The second edition of the European Championships, which runs until 21 August, is receiving in-depth TV, radio, and digital coverage from 40 EBU Members.

More than 3,500 hours of live, delayed, and digital programming has been scheduled across more than 50 channels. This compares with just over 3,000 hours of intentions for the inaugural European Championships Glasgow/Berlin 2018 edition.

Marc Joerg, of rights owner European Championships Management, said: ‘’We are very pleased with the way in which Europe’s free-to-air broadcasters have once again embraced the multi-sport European Championships concept. We still have many more medal events to come over the final few days in Munich, packed into a compelling sports programme, so we hope to continue to see great audiences across the continent enjoying the best of European sport.”

Glen Killane, Executive Director of Eurovision Sport, said: “Sport has the power to unite like nothing else. That unity is more important now than at any time in recent memory.

"These initial viewing figures show how important the commitment of our Members is to the success of this innovative multi-sport event, ensuring that all of Europe gets to share in the success of these fantastic athletes.”

The European Championships takes place every four years, in partnership with Europe’s free-to-air broadcasters. This year’s edition aggregates the existing continental championships of nine sports: Athletics; Cycling (road, track, mountain bike and BMX freestyle); Gymnastics (artistic); Rowing; Triathlon; Beach Volleyball; Sport Climbing; Canoe Sprint; and Table Tennis.

EBU Members that are broadcasting the European Championships Munich 2022 include: ORF (Austria); RTBF & VRT (Belgium); BNT/BNR (Bulgaria); HRT (Croatia); CYBC (Cyprus); CT/CR (Czech Republic); DR (Denmark); ERR (Estonia); YLE (Finland); France Televisions/SRF/RFI (France); ARD & ZDF (Germany);  ERT (Greece); MTVA (Hungary); RUV (Iceland); RTE ( Ireland); RAI (Italy); LT/LR (Latvia); LRT (Lithuania); NOS (Netherlands); NRK (Norway); TVP/PR (Poland); RTP (Portugal); RTR (Russia); RTS (Serbia); RTVS (Slovakia); RTVSLO (Slovenia); RTVE (Spain); SVT/SR (Sweden); SRG-SSR (Switzerland); TRT (Turkey); BBC (UK).

Eurovision Services, an EBU company, is providing services for the distribution of the international signal for the event, making it available across Europe, Asia and the Americas on six separate multilateral feeds. The company is also providing dedicated services to seven EBU members.