The Golf Channel UK is reporting year-on-year growth in viewing figures of around 50 per cent. The two-year-old station’s Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) figures for the first week of October showed an increase of 52.16 per cent over the corresponding week last year. And on average, to date in October, the increase is a spectacular 41.7 per cent.
The Golf Channel UK broadcasts on channel 423 on the Sky digital platform and is Europe’s only dedicated 24-hour golf broadcaster.
The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) is responsible for providing estimates of the number of people watching television. This includes which channels and programmes are being watched, at what time, and the type of people who are watching at any one time
The impressive rise in viewer numbers can be attributed to several different, yet crucial, factors according to the Bradford-based channel’s senior vice-president (sales & marketing), Lee Kenny.
“We’ve been on BARB for 54 weeks now, so we can start to monitor our progress.” he said. “The fact we broadcast the UK’s only daily golf show – Golf Central – which carries highlights and also have a separate live scores ticker, is probably a very big lure for golfers.
“As a specialist channel we took the decision upon launching not to fill the airwaves with just any old advertising. We accept only brands relevant to our demographic – and I think that appeals to the average viewer. That policy appears to be bearing fruit.
“The channel carries a variety of programmes and series like The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe, which is currently showing on Monday evenings, attracts non-golfers as well because of its reality TV element.
“Most of all, of course, we are broadcasting what we know our viewers want. If you’re a golfer, you know there will be something of interest to you 24/7. The likes of BBC and ITV aren’t able to provide that for our type of viewer with the same confidence.”
The Golf Channel UK www.thegolfchanneluk.co.uk
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