Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video report massive viewing figures for Emma Raducanu’s US Open final win

US Open
Delight for Emma Raducanu as she wins US Open

Emma Raducanu’s US Open final win over Leylah Fernandez has proven to be a major success for both Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video with both announcing huge viewership numbers.

Teenager Raducanu on Saturday became the first qualifier – man or woman – to win a Grand Slam after defeating Canadian Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The 18-year-old also became the first British woman since Virginia Wade in 1977 to win a major.

Comment: Relish your US Open fairytale Emma Raducanu… your life will never be the same again

The match was initially only set to be available on Amazon Prime Video as it is the rights holder for the US Open in the United Kingdom, but Channel 4 struck a last-minute deal with the streaming service to make sure it is on free-to-air TV.

And it proved to be a great acquisition for Channel 4 as a peak of 9.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the match.

Even more impressive is the fact that a lot of younger people watched the final as 48% were 16-34 year olds.

“🏆 Congratulations to @EmmaRaducanu! 👏🏼 A peak audience of 9.2m watched her historic #USOpenFinal victory on @Channel4 – a 39.9% share of total audience & 48% of 16-34 year olds,” a tweet from Channel 4 Press read.

Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, said: “We’re delighted that Channel 4, in partnership with Amazon Prime Video, could enable more than 9m people to enjoy one of the most thrilling and historic nights of British sport in a generation.

“Moments like this are what Channel 4 was made for – it’s a perfect example of the kind of nimble, uncommercial, but profoundly valuable public service broadcasting that a purpose-driven Channel 4 can deliver.”

Meanwhile, Prime Video also enjoyed big viewing figures as they reported that the final was the “most streamed tennis match” ever.

It is a big boost for tennis in the UK as the BBC’s 2021 Wimbledon coverage reportedly had a peak audience of 7.9m people.

Emma Raducanu

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