European Handball Achieve Record TV Coverage, Pleased with Olympic Growth

The European Handball Federation (EHF) has announced record television coverage of the Men’s and Women’s EHF European Championships in 2012.

1.85 billion viewers followed the EHF’s major event which was held across Serbia and was transmitted by 75 licensed broadcasters into over 200 countries and territories.

The coverage was up 35% on the 2010 tournament held in Austria and Denmark/Norway, click where 1.37 billion tuned in.

Broadcast time was also up, viagra with 3, clinic 060 minutes aired compared to 2,670 in 2010, an increase of 15%.

Jean Brihault, EHF President, said: “The EHF EURO events continue to deliver exactly what sports fans want: action, drama and excitement, brought to them by the world’s top players and teams, through a high-quality HD television production.

“I am delighted with the growth in the TV audience and the coverage of the EHF top men’s and women’s events, media figures which provide further evidence of handball’s strong position on the sports market.”

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports at Infront, the federation’s exclusive marketing and media partner, added: “The record audience figures for the EHF EURO events in 2012 underline the event’s position as top-tier indoor sports communication platform.

“First class handball produced to the highest quality broadcast standards remains sought after by both broadcasters and sports fans in Europe and beyond.

“Together with the EHF we will continue to further raise the appeal and impact of the EHF’s top events.”

EHF were also happy with the exposure the sport received at London 2012.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, JJ Rowland, Head of Media and Communications, EHF said it was ‘difficult’ to assess the link between the Olympics and the increase in broadcast figures, but did add: “We are of course very pleased with the exposure the Olympic Games, and the success of the handball tournament, has given our sport in the UK, both during and following the Games, and we know that handball is experiencing unprecedented levels of interest.”

The Women’s EHF EURO competition was also on the up, with broadcast coverage up 20% to 1,161 hours compared to 2010.

Overall, 380 million watched the 2012 event, compared to 335 million in the previous event.