The Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) final, a dramatic showdown between Senegal and Morocco, attracted an impressive viewership of 1.7 million on E4 and another 700,000 through Channel 4 streaming.
In a thrilling turn of events, Senegal initially left the pitch in protest following a controversial penalty awarded to their opponents - home nation Morocco. However, they later returned to the field where Morocco missed the penalty. The game then proceeded into extra time where Senegal emerged victorious.
The total streaming numbers are still being collated but initial figures indicate that this event was a significant draw for audiences. For E4 alone, the viewership of 1.7 million represented a remarkable 19% share of the audience aged between 16-34 years old - an increase of over six times compared to the overnight slot average for this demographic.
Channel 4's successful acquisition
Channel 4 secured broadcasting rights for AFCON matches in December with coverage produced by IMG who also facilitated the rights deal between CAF (Confederation of African Football), as exclusive rights distributor for this tournament. This marked an important milestone as it was the first time that AFCON has been exclusively shown in full on free-to-air TV in UK history.
The record-breaking viewership numbers not only signify success for both teams involved but also highlight how sports broadcasting can reach new heights when given wider accessibility through platforms like free-to-air TV and online streaming services.
For sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike, these developments offer exciting opportunities to engage with international sporting events like never before – making it easier than ever to tune into live matches from anywhere at any time. As we await final figures on total streaming numbers from this event, one thing is clear: the AFCON final has set a new precedent for future sports broadcasting in the UK.
