- Total streaming viewers for Beijing 2022 surpassed PyeongChang 2018 after
only four days of competition.
- New paid streaming subscribers for Beijing 2022 pass those acquired for the
entire last Winter Olympic Games.
- Eight times more viewers streaming content compared to the
same period for PyeongChang 2018.
- Eurosport's average linear audiences remain strong and are in
line with the last Olympic Winter Games, despite total TV usage
being down more than 10 percent since 2018.
BEIJING and LONDON, Feb. 14,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening week of competition at
Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 has driven massive increases in
engagement on discovery+ and Eurosport digital services, as well as
strong overall linear viewership across Europe.
The first week of competition has delivered a strong start to
Beijing 2022 across Discovery's
European television network and streaming products led by
discovery+, the streaming Home of the Olympics.
Eight times more viewers are streaming Olympic content compared
to the same period for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 with
total new paid subscribers to Discovery's streaming services
already surpassing 2018 with a week of competition still to go.
Nearly three-quarters of a billion streaming minutes have
been consumed on Discovery's subscription services so far,
more than 18 times higher than the same period of PyeongChang
2018. Average minutes consumed per viewer across discovery+ and
Eurosport streaming services has more than doubled, as well as
people on average watching 29% longer on television vs PyeongChang
2018. Our free Olympic news and short video clips on
Eurosport.com have more than doubled their reach as well.
Eurosport's average linear audiences remain strong and are in
line with the last Olympic Winter Games, despite total TV usage
being down more than 10 percent since 2018. Linear television
audience shares in the Nordics, including Sweden and Norway where Discovery is both the pay-tv and
free-to-air broadcaster, remain strong versus PyeongChang 2018 with
continued stellar results reaching highs of 87% (Norway), 83% (Sweden) and 71% (Finland).
Jean-Briac Perrette, President & CEO, Discovery Streaming
& International, said: "The Olympics are off to a
strong start across all our platforms, with discovery+ at the
forefront of this early success as the growth of our streaming
service continues to significantly outperform.
"It is also reaffirming the power and value of integrating
sports into our discovery+ entertainment service. As well as
attracting a significant number of new discovery+ subscribers,
sports broadens its appeal throughout the whole household and
provides consumers an even greater, more retentive value
proposition. Through just this first week, more than a third of new
discovery+ Olympics subscribers have already consumed other
entertainment content on the platform."
Andrew Georgiou, President of
Sports, Discovery, said: "The audience and engagement growth we
have experienced during the opening stage of the Games really
demonstrates the additional value Discovery brings to its audiences
and partners. Through our network of free-to-air, Eurosport,
discovery+ and free digital and social platforms, we are driving
more people to our Olympic content for longer.
"This is also testament to the outstanding coverage being
delivered, the powerful stories we are telling focused on local
heroes at their core, together with innovative technology, and our
exceptional line-up of the most credible team of experts in sport.
We can't wait to bring viewers the rest of the action and all the
biggest stories to come from the Games."
Since the start of the Olympics, nearly twice as many people
have visited the ad-supported Eurosport.com site, together with its
multiple local country versions, compared to the same stage of
PyeongChang 2018. The platform has continued to extend its offering
and bring fans live updates, news and on-demand video around the
Games.
Discovery is presenting Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 in 50
markets in Europe* featuring 11
national productions and coverage in 19 languages. It is the only
place in Europe to offer 'All of
the Olympics', available on discovery+ and its Eurosport digital
services**.
*Excludes Russia.
**Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 is available to watch on
discovery+ in Denmark,
Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In all other European markets,
except Russia, Beijing 2022 is available on Eurosport's
digital services.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The period measured includes the first eight full competition
days of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 (Saturday 5th to Saturday
12th February, as well as the Opening Ceremony and the events held
between Wednesday 2nd and Friday 4th February
2022. For linear TV, period up to Thursday February 10. Discovery is the Home of
the Olympics in Europe (excludes
Russia).
Logo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/966414/Discovery_Logo.jpg