Germany’s ProSieben Maxx posts NFL playoff viewing record

ProSieben Maxx, the German commercial free-to-air channel, has registered its highest-ever target market viewing share for an NFL playoff match beginning at 7.05pm (CET).

The record was reached during the Minnesota Vikings’ 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints yesterday (Sunday).

ProSieben Maxx attracted average audiences of 490,000, 640,000, 660,000 and 690,000 within the 14-49 year-old demographic during the four quarters. The shares fluctuated between 6.2 per cent and 7 per cent, according to Germany’s Meedia website.

On Saturday, the channel registered an average share of 8 per cent for its coverage of Buffalo Bills’ clash against the Houston Texans.

Meanwhile, the flagship ProSieben channel attracted an average audience of 980,000 viewers from 10.40pm onwards for the match-up between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. This was equal to an average viewing share of 17.5 per cent (and peak of 25.8 per cent) among 14-49 year-olds.

The ProSiebenSat.1 group renewed its NFL rights in German-speaking territories in a multi-year agreement struck last year.

The rights are showcased on the ProSieben and ProSieben Maxx channels in Germany and the Puls 4 channel in Austria.

ProSiebenSat.1’s current three-year deal for free-to-air NFL rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland was due to expire after the Super Bowl in February 2020. ProSiebenSat.1 has covered the NFL since first picking up the rights to the Super Bowl in 2012, ousting then incumbent ARD. At the time, the public broadcaster said that it had reached its “bidding limit”.