The European Broadcasting Union, in partnership with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) delivered 47 million hours of cycling action from Innsbruck-Tirol, Austria, this summer.
The coverage was watched on free-to-air channels in 20 countries across Europe. Overall, the event was aired in 53 European countries, with coverage provided by Eurosport in non-free-to-air countries.
Viewers in France (France Télévisions), Italy (Rai), the Netherlands (NPO), Belgium (VRT and RTBF) and host country Austria (ORF) watched the most coverage.
The Men Elite road race (30th September) enjoyed an all-time viewership record with fans watching a total of 21.5 million hours on EBU Members’ free-to-air channels. The race attracted peak audiences of over a million viewers in both France and Italy and over 500,000 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Women Elite road race (29th September) was also broadcast in 53 countries across Europe including 18 territories covered by EBU Members, with peak audiences of between 500,000 and a million viewers in the Netherlands (NOS), the UK (BBC) and France (France 3).
Eurovision Media Services, the business arm of the EBU, handled production, broadcast services, contribution and worldwide distribution the event.
“The EBU is very proud to have played a vital role in delivering such impressive viewing figures for the 2018 UCI Road World Championships” said Stefan Kürten, EBU executive director of sport.
“We are fully committed to offering the UCI, National Federations and event organisers the best platforms and the best services ranging from production to distribution to engage with all audiences across Europe.”
