Spanish league says audiences up by nearly 50% after break

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer league says international viewership increased by nearly 50% after games returned from the break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Figures for the first set of matches following the break were 48% higher than the average for the other 27 rounds played before the suspension in mid-March. The league says the increase in Africa reached more than 70%. It was 56% higher in Europe. There was a rise of 210% in South Africa and of 130% in Belgium. The league says viewership numbers in Spain increased 12% or the first set of matches.