Premier League - 4.7 billion watched Premier League last season

Wed, 12 Oct 16:24:00 2011

New figures have revealed that the Premier League was watched by an astonishing 4.7 billion television viewers worldwide last season.

The Season So Far

The report commissioned by the Sport+Markt group in Germany said that 70 per cent of football fans around the world tune into the English game.

In-home TV audiences have now stretched to a record 3.9bn, with a further 777m watching in pubs and bars in every corner of the planet.

The biggest market for the product is in Asia, with 300m people in China alone said to have watched the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea last term.

"The explanation for these remarkable figures lies largely in the redistribution of international rights for the start of the new three-year broadcast term last year," said Andrew Walsh of Sport+Markt.

"One main driver of the rise was the switch of the League's broadcast rights in China from pay TV over to terrestrial coverage.

"That has burst open the floodgates in terms of the Premier League's popularity in the world's biggest and fastest-growing market."

It is now estimated that 64 per cent of Chinese football fans support an English team.

A Premier League spokesperson said: "Our international fan base and success is helping develop English football at all levels, something we should all be pleased about.

"Whether they are at the ground in person or watching all around the world on TV, fans know what they will get from a Premier League game. They'll see some of the world's best talent in thrilling matches played at packed stadiums."

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. T.V. ?
    live games via the clubs website.
    surley has to­ happen sooner or later.
    The EPL sould look at otherways­ of generating income as well.
    why is there no EPL­ channel 24hrs a day like the NFL network ?

    From Adam, on Thu 13 Oct 22:03

  2. I think a take-away northern pie shop would be hit in­ Beijing, ooh and chips n gravy for those without much­ dosh.

    From OK, on Thu 13 Oct 19:32

  3. This shows why UTD are forever stuck with the­ GLAZERS.............who know a safe/good investment­ when they see one!!

    From Leo, on Thu 13 Oct 16:49

  4. What have nearly 20 seasons of Premier League­ contributed to football?

    Abducted youth talents and­ neglected indigenous ones, multigazillionaire owners­ buying and exhausting teams, soaring and surrealistic­ player wages, brodcasting rights and entrance prices,­ thumping lower and foreign top leagues. Just one of the­ many side-effects to enumerate.

    Officials are aware of­ this pandemonium, but are either incapable or­ ineligible to take the right measures. The question is­ not if the Premier League will fail, but when it will­ fail.

    From Delano, on Thu 13 Oct 10:18

  5. and the watch it for free

    From Hafedh, on Thu 13 Oct 4:49

  6. Not me i'm fed up paying these over rated Twats

    From DRAIN'Y, on Thu 13 Oct 4:03
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    lot of armchair manure fans it seems

    From , on Thu 13 Oct 3:29

  8. Now Guess Who Pays The MOST - to watch ­ football on T.V..........

    From MC, on Thu 13 Oct 2:52

  9. @victor meldew
    4.7 billion of them obviousely

    From Clare, on Thu 13 Oct 2:06
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    none cos its all the gloryhunting man u, liverpool and­ chelsea noobs that should be supporting their LOCAL­ TEAM!!!!!

    From SEAN, on Thu 13 Oct 2:02
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    4.7 billion twats in the World!

    From Mary, on Thu 13 Oct 1:52

  12. And how many of them watched Wigan play eh?

    From Victor Meldew, on Thu 13 Oct 1:37
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