The Nippon TV broadcast of Aoyama Gakuin University's overall win at the 100th Hakone Ekiden pulled in average ratings of 28.3% during the Jan. 3 day two return trip, according to data released by Video Research, Inc. Average ratings on day one, also won by Aoyama Gakuin, were 26.1%. Last year's ratings were 27.5% for day one and 29.6% for day two.
Shizuoka prefecture had the highest regional ratings on day one at 27.8%, with both Shizuoka and Kanto scoring 28.3% ratings on day two. Ratings were lowest in Kansai at 14.6% for day one and 16.4% for day two.
The Hakone Ekiden broadcast's highest average ratings came in 2021 when Komazawa University won for the first time in 13 years, when 31.0% watched day one and 33.7% day two. Tokai University's first-ever win in 2019 also attracted ratings over 30% both days, with 30.7% watching day one and 32.1% day two.
Translator's note: It's surprising to see the ratings were down a bit from last year, but it's not clear whether this is only TV ratings or whether it includes people who used TVer to watch the streaming. The house we were in, for example, didn't have a regular TV connection and used TVer on the TV screen. Crowds along the course also seemed bigger than usual.
source article:
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Comments
That said -- there were probably a lot of people who would normally watch but did not -- especially in the earthquake affected areas, or who were working to try to get help to those in the earthquake area.