I’ve chatted with several people about the ratings and viewership for this year’s Tour de France. Depending on who you talk to I’m hearing numbers that range from “over 50%” increase in ratings to “62%” increase in ratings.
I don’t know how they measure these statistics and how valid they are but, even if discounted by 50%, the fact remains there is some suggestion that TV ratings for the Tour de France soared this year.
Good news.
I’ve chatted with several people about the ratings and viewership for this year’s Tour de France. Depending on who you talk to I’m hearing numbers that range from “over 50%” increase in ratings to “62%” increase in ratings.
I don’t know how they measure these statistics and how valid they are but, even if discounted by 50%, the fact remains there is some suggestion that TV ratings for the Tour de France soared this year.
Good news.
Don’t you think that is the Lance factor and the fact the race wasn’t decided until the last day? I understand crowds were up on the course also for the same reasons.
So basically they need Lance to come out and give his race program: He is oging to ride the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta…Than at the last second pull out of the Vuelta, but have Versus already have the funds and programming to show each of hte big tours!
I miss being able to watch the Giro and Vuelta daily on Versus.
Sounds like you may be low…closer to 88% from last year, but up only 1% from 2005 (when Lance last rode).
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D99K7NAO0.htm
-Scott
Except that it was on VS. not OLN 
Oh, sorry. Duh.
Except that it was on VS. not OLN
Still OLN up here in Canada.
These ratings increases point to the popularity of having the past two winners back to fight it out on the road. American’s are finally understanding this sport to the extent that a couple of Spaniards will increase the viewership so much.
And, ya know, that old guy came back as well.
The pictures in HD were stunning as well.
I chalk it up to Lance + HDTV. I’ve been an avid TdF view since the mid 80’s but this was my first year with a big flat screen which changed the viewing experience. Add in HD and the race really is a nice thing to watch, even if you are not a cycling fan. This year I did not get a single complaint from any family members about having the race on. I’ve always liked the scenery as much as the racing but I am sure there were lots casual folks checking in because of Lance then getting hooked on the HD pictures of France.
This is kind of fun to browse over - its a 6 page thread from an AV forum on the HD coverage of the Tour - questions about cycling stategy interspersed with comments on video compression ratios and technical TV talk ;- http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1158633
Not surprising with LA back. I would not be at all surprised to find that the tour organizers put up some money to get him back. He makes them a ton of money in publicity.
We just got a second cable box and I made sure that both were on Versus all day before I left for work/workout.
50% increase in “viewing” in our house.
HD views were incredible.
These ratings increases point to the popularity of having the past two winners back to fight it out on the road. American’s are finally understanding this sport to the extent that a couple of Spaniards will increase the viewership so much.
And, ya know, that old guy came back as well.
If they really want to increase the viewership in the US they probably need a Mexican to win the TDF. Triple the ratings no doubt.
We just got a second cable box and I made sure that both were on Versus all day before I left for work/workout.
50% increase in “viewing” in our house.
HD views were incredible.
Ugh, that is a 100% increase.
The pictures in HD were stunning as well.
no HD in Canada 
oln is still SD-only
.
I chalk it up to Lance + HDTV. I’ve been an avid TdF view since the mid 80’s but this was my first year with a big flat screen which changed the viewing experience. Add in HD and the race really is a nice thing to watch, even if you are not a cycling fan. This year I did not get a single complaint from any family members about having the race on. I’ve always liked the scenery as much as the racing but I am sure there were lots casual folks checking in because of Lance then getting hooked on the HD pictures of France.
This is kind of fun to browse over - its a 6 page thread from an AV forum on the HD coverage of the Tour - questions about cycling stategy interspersed with comments on video compression ratios and technical TV talk ;- http://www.avsforum.com/...thread.php?t=1158633
While the HD was nice I certainly didn’t see it as a big bonus. I could care that I could count the bricks in all the chateau’s or read the race numbers clearly. The real time coverage was what worked for me.