The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that its members have helped achieve record-breaking broadcast figures for the 2024 European Athletics Championships.
The EBU served as the host broadcaster for the event, delivering coverage to at least 35 broadcasters, including 33 EBU Members on traditional linear television. In total, more than 1,200 hours of live coverage were provided across television and streaming platforms, including the European Athletics website.
Additionally, worldwide coverage was available for free via the EBU’s new streaming platform, Eurovision Sport, offering fans a comprehensive viewing experience.
Glen Killane, Executive Director of Sport at EBU, commented: “These remarkable broadcast numbers for Roma 2024 are a testament to the unwavering support from our EBU Members and their commitment to ensuring that athletics reaches millions of fans across Europe, both old and new.
“By enhancing our broadcasting capabilities and leveraging digital offerings such as our Eurovision Sport streaming platform, we have been able to make the European Athletics Championships more accessible than ever.
“This collaboration with European Athletics is key to growing the sport and providing comprehensive coverage that meets the demands of today’s audiences. We will continue to innovate and work together to deliver exceptional sports experiences.”
Despite competing with the French Open finals and Euro 2024 pre-tournament friendlies, Roma 2024 attracted substantial audiences throughout the Championships, held from 7-12 June.
In terms of numbers, the EBU has reported that viewing figures in the host nation rose throughout the event, with an estimated 4.7 million people tuning in. Whereas, in Germany, ZDF saw a peak of 6.6 million viewers on the final night of action, marking a 10% increase from Munich 2022.
In Scandinavia, the European Athletics Championships captured an average of 50% of the television audience share in Finland, Norway and Sweden. On the final night, this figure peaked at 71% in Sweden.
Furthemore, SVT in Sweden reported a total reach of 4 million for the entire event, including both linear and online views.
Dobromir Karamarinov, President of European Athletics, said: “These early numbers are very encouraging. If we are to continue to grow our wonderful sport, it is very important that we increase visibility and engagement with our showpiece event, the European Athletics Championships.
“The European Athletics Championships are our showpiece event. To be a spectacle that excites audiences, we need the best athletes delivering the best performances, and that was certainly true at Roma 2024.
“By innovating through streaming services with our partnership with the EBU and expanding our social media offering, we have been able to make our sport more accessible and meet the demands of existing and new fans alike. This is helping to reach and engage bigger audiences across Europe and support the hard work of our Member Federations in growing the sport in each nation.
“We will continue to evolve and develop each programme and work towards continual growth across every European Athletics event, with an eye always on the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.”
