With no WM match on free TV, Das Erste and ZDF saw strong prime-time ratings. 'Der Wien-Krimi' led the night, while private broadcasters struggled to break into the top 25.
Media professionals tracking audience shifts saw a notable ratings boost for public broadcasters on a WM-free Thursday night. With the Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina match airing exclusively on Magenta TV, Das Erste and ZDF capitalized on the absence of World Cup football in prime time, drawing significant viewership to their flagship shows.
According to reported figures, the 6 p.m. World Cup match between Czech Republic and South Africa on ZDF attracted 4.42 million viewers, securing a 30.7 percent market share. The midnight game between Canada and Qatar drew 1.19 million and a 24.3 percent share. However, between 8:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m., no World Cup matches aired on free TV, opening the door for other programming to capture audiences.
Das Erste led the prime-time slot with a rerun of 'Der Wien-Krimi: Tod an der Donau,' which drew 3.25 million viewers and a 17.6 percent market share. ZDF's 'Die Bergretter' followed with 2.76 million viewers and a 15.0 percent share. Both shows outperformed private broadcasters, whose prime-time offerings failed to enter the day's top 25 programs.
Private channels struggled to attract large audiences, with the highest viewership at 0.60 million for RTL's 'Die Bachelors,' which posted a 3.4 percent market share. Other private network results included Sat.1's 'Hast Du Töne?' at 0.59 million (3.4 percent), ProSieben's 'Darüber staunt die Welt' at 0.53 million (3.0 percent), Vox's 'The Dark Knight Rises' at 0.53 million (3.2 percent), and Kabel Eins's 'Die Tribute von Panem: Catching Fire' at 0.48 million (2.8 percent).
Among viewers aged 14 to 49, the 6 p.m. World Cup match remained dominant, with 0.97 million tuning in for a 42.3 percent market share. The midnight match drew 0.35 million (28.1 percent). At 8:15 p.m., Das Erste initially led with 0.49 million young viewers for 'Brennpunkt: Einigung zwischen USA und Iran' (16.3 percent), but 'Der Wien-Krimi' dropped to 0.15 million and a 4.4 percent share in this demographic. ZDF's 'Die Bergretter' performed better with 0.30 million and a 9.3 percent share, surpassing private competitors.
Kabel Eins stood out among private channels for younger viewers, as 'Die Tribute von Panem: Catching Fire' attracted 0.25 million in the 14-49 age group, achieving a 7.8 percent market share. Vox followed with 0.21 million (6.7 percent) for 'The Dark Knight Rises,' while 'Die Bachelors' on RTL disappointed again with 0.19 million (5.9 percent). ProSieben and Sat.1 trailed with 0.19 and 0.15 million viewers, and 5.6 and 4.5 percent shares, respectively, for their prime-time shows.
