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UK TV audience boost for Wales Rally GB

A new approach to televising Dayinsure Wales Rally GB led to a jump in the event's tv audience in the UK.

Fans in Britain had the opportunity watch live action from the event on both free to-air and pay TV networks for the first time in more than a decade.

In a groundbreaking move, the rally was broadcast in 4K ultra high-definition for the first time by BT Sport, with terrestrial broadcaster Channel 5, S4C and regional TV networks in both north Wales and north-west England producing free-to-air exposure.

Figures from Channel 5 show a total of 733,000 people tuned in over the course of the rally. The average audience peak of 374,000 was 71 per cent higher than the 13-week average for the same time slot. A highlights show on Monday after the rally attracted a peak audience of 450,000.

Oliver Ciesla, managing director of WRC Promoter said: "It has been many years since UK fans had the opportunity to enjoy live WRC action on a mainstream free-to-air network. We're delighted with the audience figures from both the Sunday Power Stage and also Channel 5's highlights show the following evening.

"Interest in Channel 5's coverage has grown steadily throughout 2016 and that's hugely encouraging ahead of the new-era WRC next season, when more powerful, dynamic cars will provide even more thrilling and exciting competition."

Zdroj: wrc.com