Infront Sports & Media, the official media and marketing agency of the International Ice Hockey Federation, has revealed record viewing figures for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship national team tournament.
A study carried out by media research company X-Media Sports Consulting on behalf of Infront found that a record cumulative television audience of 975.2 million tuned in to watch the event – a four-per-cent increase on the 2012 championship.
It is the fifth year in a row the competition has recorded a growth in audience figures.
A total of 70 broadcasters showed games in more than 118 countries and territories worldwide. More than 4,500 hours of coverage was broadcast from the event.
The study also recorded an increase in online audiences through the official IIHF channel on video-sharing website YouTube. A total of 3.4 million views were recorded for the 2013 event – more than double the 1.6 million achieved the previous year.
The 2013 YouTube service showed near-live coverage of all 64 games from the tournament. Games were aired with a 30-minute delay.
The event took place in Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland from May 3-19.