World Cup. large television audiences despite calls for a boycott

From France to Japan via the United States, television audiences for the World Cup in Qatar remain strong despite calls for a boycott and the competition’s autumn scheduling, Germany being the exception.

“The World Cup is still popularLast week, FIFA welcomed, based in particular on the attendance of the Qatar-Ecuador opener, which in some countries had increased compared to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Overall audience growth

This was particularly the case in Brazil (24.3 million viewers on average, +6%), the United Kingdom (6.3 million, +57.5%), Colombia (5.5 million, no increase) or France (5.1 million, +30%). ) The competition, however, has given rise to many controversies since December 2010 and its attribution to Qatar, be it on the subject of respect for human rights or even environmental protection.

But at a time when small screen viewing time is steadily declining in favor of the Internet and online video platforms.”major sporting events remain among the last high masses“Very unifying,” emphasizes Christophe Lepete of the Center for Sports Law and Economics in Limoges (central France) to AFP. This observation, seen during every World Cup or Euro, “not deniedthis year, adds the economist.

There is no effect of the boycott in France

In France, where the Blues drew between 11 and 13 million spectators for their first two matches, “it is clear that there is no boycott effectPhilip Bailey of NPA Conseil also assures AFP. These scores, which are close to 2018, must be qualified, warns Christophe Lepetit, however, stressing that they are lower in terms of audience share (PDA), that is, the share of viewers of the match among the entire population watching. television.

In addition, the 2022 vintage is distinguished in France by Médiamétrie “away from home“(in bars, with friends…), important for the World Cup. without him”there may be some reductions“, thinks Christophe Lepetit, conceding”that there is no mass boycott. We will not tell stories“.

In Spain, more than 11 million viewers (60.7% PDA) watched the clash between La Roja and Germany, i.e. the programme.the most watched of the year across all channelsof the country, TVE public broadcaster reports.

However, four-time world champions Germany are facing an unusual lack of love. The Nationalmannschaft’s first three matches in 2018 drew an average of more than 26 million fans, compared to 9 million this year for the opening defeat to Japan (2-1) and 17 million for the draw against Spain (1-1). )

Schedules of certain matches, revelations about the living conditions of foreign workers in the small gas emirate, calls for a boycott by some fan clubs… Various reasons explain the lack of enthusiasm in Germany.

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Spectators to qualify

Across the continent, only 54 million Europeans watched their national team’s first game, compared to 94 million in 2018, according to French magazine Challenges. , the numbers vary, particularly according to the schedule or the day of the games.

And for Christophe Lepetit, that “is part of a more global context of declining television consumption of these types of shows”, the most interesting matches that focus on the audience are highlighted and the best moments to be seen online. Africa, South America or Asia claim themselves as “markets that require very high quality football content“, needn’t be concerned”boycott debatesrather western.

It is also difficult for like-minded people to be gloomy.”the only time“where their choice”compete against the best players in the world“. In Japan, the audience was thrilled by the group’s surprise victory.blue samuraiAgainst Germany, which, despite a late start, garnered 35.3% viewership in the Kanto region, where Tokyo is located, according to Video Research.

Across the Atlantic, the United States vs. England match recorded a record audience for a men’s soccer match in the United States, averaging more than 15 million viewers, according to FOX Sports.