While Kevin Koe’s Team Alberta swept away the competition last night, TSN swept up a new audience record as the Final of the 2010 TIM HORTONS BRIER became the most-watched broadcast in tournament history*. Preliminary overnight data from BBM Canada confirms an average audience of 1.6 million viewers watched Koe win his first BRIER championship against Glenn Howard’s previously undefeated Team Ontario in an exciting extra-end finish.
This marks the highest audience ever for a non-Olympic Games curling broadcast on Canadian television. Last year’s final attracted an average audience of 873,000 viewers.
Audience levels for the Final peaked at 2.5 million viewers at 10:11 p.m. ET, as Koe’s impressive hit-and-roll shot in the dramatic 10th end forced Howard to draw for one point with the hammer, tying the game at five points apiece and forcing an extra end.
“Once again, fans were treated to Canadian championship curling at its finest. The TIM HORTONS BRIER picked up where the SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS left off, with a highly-competitive field delivering riveting end-to-end action throughout the tournament,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The TIM HORTONS BRIER is a must-see, marquee event on the curling calendar, and TSN is extremely proud to be the home of the BRIER, along with all Season of Champions events.”
“We are thrilled that so many fans across the country tuned in to watch one of the most entertaining and exciting games in BRIER history,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Curling Association. “Curling has never been more popular in Canada than it is today, and it’s tremendous to see Canadians embracing Season of Champions curling on TSN in such large numbers. It speaks to the strength of curling in Canada and the quality of TSN’s curling broadcasts.”
Overall audiences for 2010 TIM HORTONS BRIER on TSN averaged 631,000 viewers, a 42% increase compared to last year’s average. In total, TSN delivered 66 hours of BRIER coverage live from Halifax this year.
This was Koe’s first appearance at the TIM HORTONS BRIER, making him the first rookie skip to win the tournament since Vic Peters in 1980. Teams from Alberta have won seven of the last 10 BRIER titles.
TSN’s exclusive curling coverage continues in 2010 with the FORD WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP from March 20-28 and the CAPITAL ONE WORLD MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP on April 10 and 11.
TSN’s long-standing partnership with the Canadian Curling Association dates back to the network’s inception in 1984.
*Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters