(25 November 2005 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that the Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties played in September 2005 recorded good TV ratings around the world, with the doubles matches leading the way. In India Zee Sports has the rights for the events.

France Television, host broadcaster of the France vs Russia Fed Cup Final played on Roland Garros’ Philippe Chatrier court, averaged a 20 per cent market share throughout the weekend (16-17 September 2005). The deciding doubles match on the Sunday averaged over 27 per cent of the market share and peaked with over six million viewers. Sport+ complimented the domestic coverage raising the total coverage in France to over 35 hours.

In Russia, RTR and NTV+ shared coverage of the final, dedicating over 30 hours of live and replayed transmissions. The final was broadcast in 68 countries including India, Spain, Belgium, the UK, US and Japan.

The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinals (23-25 September 2005) also registered very good TV figures. HRT, the host broadcaster of the semifinal between Croatia and Russia, maintained the figures it had for previous rounds with over 40 per cent of the market share during Saturday’s exciting doubles’ match, which went to five sets. RTR and NTV shared coverage of the tie in Russia, broadcasting over 40 hours of live, delayed and replayed coverage. The tie was shown in 38 countries.

Slovak TV, host broadcaster of the other semifinal between Slovak Republic and Argentina, recorded over 20 per cent of the market share during the three days of competition. TYC Sports showed the tie on a Pan Latin-American platform, bringing the total reach for this tie to 29 countries.

The Davis Cup World Group Play-offs, played the same weekend of the semifinals, also registered strong figures. SRG-SSR recorded a 34 per cent market share during the doubles match of the Switzerland vs Great Britain tie, while the BBC averaged over 15 per cent for the same match.

Strong results were also apparent for TVN Chile, with an average of over 36 per cent market share during the doubles match of the Chile vs Pakistan tie. Austria’s ORF recorded 19 per cent during the deciding rubber against Ecuador. Belgium’s RTBF held a 16 per cent share during the doubles match. In the Zonal qualifying events, Uruguay’s Canal 4 registered a 60 per cent market share during the deciding match against Brazil.