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List of most-watched television broadcasts

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The following content contains the tentative list of the most-watched television broadcasts around the world in selected countries, with the corresponding peak viewership (or ratings share) records, the corresponding year of such broadcast, and the mentioned media research organizations tallying nationwide viewership records. However, the most-watched television broadcast in any of the following nations can also be broadcast simultaneously in other countries and rank among their most-watched television broadcasts as well.

Global

History

On 20 July 1969, an estimated 652 million people watched the live global broadcast of the Apollo 11 Moon landing (this constituted around one fifth of total population of the world at the time),[1][2] despite the fact that the first moonwalk took place in the middle of the night in Europe (at 01:56 in Iceland; 02:56 in Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom; 03:56 in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia and 04:56 in Finland, Greece and Turkey) and it was not broadcast on television or radio in the Eastern Bloc[3] (except in Romania (04:56)[4] and Poland) (03:56).[5]

The boxer Muhammad Ali drew record global television audiences during the 1970s to early 1980s. Estimates of Ali's worldwide television audiences for his "Rumble in the Jungle" fight against George Foreman in 1974,[6] "Thrilla in Manila" fight against Joe Frazier in 1975,[7] rematch against Leon Spinks in 1978,[8][9] and "Last Hurrah" fight against Larry Holmes in 1980, range between 1 billion and 2 billion people.[10] The 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, where Muhammad Ali lit the torch, was watched by an estimated 3.5 billion viewers.[11] Another heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko frequently drew an estimated 300–500 million viewers worldwide during his long reign as world heavyweight champion during the 2000s to mid 2010s.[12][13][14][15][16]

The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 was watched by an estimated 2 billion people globally, making it the all-time most-watched royal event on live television in the world.

The original Live Aid was a dual-venue benefit concert held on 13 July 1985. It became an ongoing music-based fundraising initiative. The original event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom (attended by 72,000 people) and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (attended by about 100,000 people).[17] Many similar events happened the same day in other countries, such as the Soviet Union, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Austria, Australia and West Germany. It was one of the largest-scale television events of all time, watched across 150 nations, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion who watched the live broadcast.[18]

In 1990, Roger Waters played a concert in Berlin known as The Wall – Live in Berlin to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall. The concert was subject to a live audience of 450,000 and was broadcast to 35 countries, with an estimated broadcasting audience of 500 million to 1 billion people.[19][20]

Prominent personalities in the 1990s and 2000s such as David Hasselhoff and Mexico's Thalia (currently based in the U.S.) starred in primetime series such as the Las Tres Marias trilogy shows (Maria Mercedes, Marimar and Maria la del Barrio), Rosalinda and Baywatch, which were broadcast in about 180 countries. It's been expected that, in the 1970's, every single episode of the Mexican comedy show El Chavo del Ocho, created, directed, produced and starred by Roberto Gómez Bolaños "Chespirito", was watched by about 350 millon people across Latin America when it premiered;[21] both this show and some of Mexican telenovelas are among the world's most-watched non-U.S.-produced television series.

U.S. television programming remains one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide. This trend was initiated by U.S.-made broadcast network soap operas and sitcoms such as Dallas, M*A*S*H, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Friends and The Big Bang Theory by the mid-2000s, and then in the late 2000s and 2010s by U.S. medical dramas and police procedurals such as House, and the CSI and NCIS franchises. All of these are currently syndicated in more than 100 countries, and rank among the most-watched television series in the world, extending their dominance to a three-decade span.

In recent decades, the global popularity of U.S. television is rivaled by European television programming and television dramas from Latin America and Asia. The annual Eurovision Song Contest, considered to be one of the world's longest running and most-watched reality television franchises, annually attracted a peak of 600 million viewers during the mid-to-late 1980s. Eurovision has consistently ranked among the all-time most-watched live non-sports entertainment telecasts worldwide in the last 2 decades.[22][23] Idols, airing since 2001, has the largest collective global franchise viewership in the world to date, shown in versions in over 150 countries worldwide and has been watched by over 3.2 billion viewers.[24]

The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony set the record for the largest viewing figure for any sports event, reaching an average daily audience of 593 million worldwide.[25] Over 3.5 billion people saw some part of the 16-day coverage, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing-hosted Olympic games.[26] The FIFA World Cup[25][27] has attracted an average of 3.2 billion viewers in 2010 and 2014, making it the most-watched overall live event by average on television worldwide in the 21st century.

In 2010, over 1.1 billion people were reported to have watched the 2010–2011 Sydney New Year's Eve coverage,[28] constituting approximately 16% of the world population at that time and still remains the most-watched New Year's Eve live telecast in the world. As one of the first major New Year's celebrations globally each year, Sydney New Year's Eve annual coverage are live in all time zones in both Asia, Australia and Oceania on 31 December 2010 and 1 January 2011.

Few cable television programs have ranked among the world's most-watched television broadcasts beginning the mid-2010s. In particular, notable scripted series like Game of Thrones, Sherlock and Doctor Who, originating from both the U.S. and UK, have been currently aired to more than 100 countries. The annual Miss Universe and Miss World pageants, headquartered in the U.S. and UK, respectively, and aired live to more than 190 countries yearly, are said to have each regularly attracted more than 500 million viewers and consistently rank among the most-watched live annual entertainment telecasts in the world.[29]

Regional annual sporting events like the Super Bowl in the U.S., and the UEFA Champions League finals in Europe, televised live worldwide, have emerged among the world's most-watched television broadcasts.[30][31]

The 2015 Cricket World Cup is estimated to have been watched by an estimated 2.2 billion people.[32] The most widely watched match during the tournament was India vs. Pakistan, which is estimated to have drawn over 1 billion viewers.[33][34]

Most reality television franchise broadcasts and international sporting events (which are aired in several countries) tend to comprise some of the most-watched television programs, as tallied by their media research bases. Beginning the mid-2010s, the majority of the world's most-watched television broadcasts, including all of the world's major international sporting events, are often broadcast live via satellite across virtually all of the world's time zones in seven continents.[35][36]

List

   — Television broadcasts which held the viewership record
List of the most-watched television broadcasts of all time
Date(s) Television broadcast(s) Estimated audience (billions) Source(s) Content
27 July 2012 to 12 August 2012 London 2012 Summer Olympics 3.6 [26] Olympic sports
5 August 2016 to 21 August 2016 Rio 2016 Summer Olympics 3.6 [37]
14 June 2018 to 15 July 2018 Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup 3.572 [38][39] Association football
8 August 2008 to 24 August 2008 Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics 3.51 [26][40] Olympic sports
19 July 1996 to 4 August 1996 Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics 3.5 [41][11] Olympic sports
15 September 2000 to 1 October 2000 Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics 3.5 [42]
13 August 2004 to 29 August 2004 Athens 2004 Summer Olympics 3.5 [43]
10 June 1998 to 12 July 1998 France 1998 FIFA World Cup 3.4 [44][45] Association football
11 June 2010 to 11 July 2010 South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup 3.2 [46]
12 June 2014 to 13 July 2014 Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup 3.2 [47]
31 May 2002 to 30 June 2002 2002 FIFA World Cup (Korea & Japan) 3 [48][49]
9 June 2006 to 9 July 2006 Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup 3 [50][51]
30 May 2019 to 14 July 2019 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup (England & Wales) 2.6 [52][53][33] Cricket
8 February 2002 to 24 February 2002 Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics 2.1 [54] Winter sports
10 February 2006 to 26 February 2006 Torino 2006 Winter Olympics 2.1 [55]
12 February 2010 to 28 February 2010 Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics 2.1 [55]
7 February 2014 to 23 February 2014 Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics 2.1 [37]
9 February 2018 to 25 February 2018 PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics 2.02 [56]
15 September 1978 Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II 2 [8][9] Professional boxing
19 July 1980 to 3 August 1980 Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics 2 [57] Olympic sports
2 October 1980 Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes: The Last Hurrah 2 [10] Professional boxing
28 July 1984 to 12 August 1984 Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics 2 [58][59] Olympic sports
17 September 1988 to 2 October 1988 Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics 2 [60]
25 July 1992 to 9 August 1992 Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics 2 [61][62]
6 September 1997 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 2 [63] Royal funeral
11 September 2001 September 11 attacks 2 [64] Terrorist attack
2 July 2005 Live 8 2 [65] Live concert
7 July 2009 Michael Jackson memorial service 2 [66] Memorial service
13 July 1985 Live Aid 1.9 [18] Live concert
19 May 2018 Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 1.9 [67] Royal wedding
17 July 1976 to 1 August 1976 Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics 1.5 [68] Olympic sports
14 January 1973. Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite 1.5 billion viewers. [69] Concert
26 June 1976 Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki 1.4 [70][71] Mixed martial arts
7 June 2019 to 7 July 2019 France 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup 1.12 [72] Association Football
2 September 1989 to 26 February 2001 Baywatch 1.1 [73] Drama series
31 December 2010 to 31 January 2011 Sydney New Year's Eve 2010–2011 1.1 [28] New Year
30 October 1974 Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman: The Rumble in the Jungle 1 [6][74] Professional boxing
1 October 1975 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III: Thrilla in Manila 1 [7][75]
29 July 1981 Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer 1 [76] Royal wedding
8 June 1990 to 8 July 1990 1990 FIFA World Cup Italia 1 [77] Association football
21 July 1990 The Wall – Live in Berlin 1 [20] Live concert
2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991 Gulf War 1 [78] Military conflict
17 June 1994 to 17 July 1994 1994 FIFA World Cup USA 1 [79] Association football
20 January 2009 First inauguration of Barack Obama 1 [80] Presidential inauguration
2 April 2011 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final: India vs. Sri Lanka 1 [81] Cricket
29 April 2011 Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton 1 [82] Royal wedding
6 May 2012 to 27 May 2012 Satyamev Jayate: Season 1 1 [83] Talk show
9 June 2016 Muhammad Ali memorial service 1 [84] Memorial service
27 June 2016 to 7 July 2016 2016 Wimbledon Championships 1 [85] Tennis

Records

List of television broadcast viewership records
Date(s) Television broadcast(s) Estimated audience (millions) Source(s) Content
6 May 1960 Wedding of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon 300 [86] Royal wedding
25 August 1960 to 11 September 1960 Rome 1960 Summer Olympics 400 [87] Olympic sports
22 November 1963 Assassination of John F. Kennedy 600 [88] Assassination
10 October 1964 to 24 October 1964 Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics 600 [89] Olympic sports
12 October 1968 to 27 October 1968 Mexico 1968 Summer Olympics 600 [90]
20 July 1969 Apollo 11 600 [91] Moon landing
26 August 1972 to 10 September 1972 Munich 1972 Summer Olympics 900 [92] Olympic sports
5 September 1972 to 6 September 1972 Munich massacre 900 [92] Mass shooting
30 October 1974 Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman: The Rumble in the Jungle 1,000 [6][74] Professional boxing
1 October 1975 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III: Thrilla in Manila 1,000 [7][75]
26 June 1976 Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki 1,400 [70][71] Mixed martial arts
19 July 1976 to 3 August 1976 Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics 1,500 [68] Olympic sports
27 September 1978 Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II 2,000 [8][9] Professional boxing
19 July 1980 to 3 August 1980 Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics 2,000 [57] Olympic sports
2 October 1980 Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes: The Last Hurrah 2,000 [10] Professional boxing
28 July 1984 to 12 August 1984 Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics 2,000 [58] Olympic sports
28 July 1988 to 12 August 1988 Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics 2,000 [60]
25 July 1992 to 9 August 1992 Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics 2,000 [93]
19 July 1996 to 4 August 1996 Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics 3,500 [41][11] Olympic sports
15 September 2000 to 1 October 2000 Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics 3,500 [42]
13 August 2004 to 29 August 2004 Athens 2004 Summer Olympics 3,500 [43]
8 August 2008 to 24 August 2008 Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics 3,510 [26]
27 July 2012 to 12 August 2012 London 2012 Summer Olympics 3,600 [26]
5 August 2016 to 21 August 2016 Rio 2016 Summer Olympics 3,600 [37]

International

Australia

Most-watched broadcasts of all time (Total Viewers)

The following is David Dale's approximate ranking of the most-watched television shows of all time in Australia using data from Nielsen Corporation and OzTAM.[94]

Rank Show Date Network
1 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1997 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
2 Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 1981 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
3 2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 2000 Seven Network
4 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 2000 Seven Network
5 Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton 2011 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
6 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1984 Ten Network
7 The World of The Seekers 1968 Ten Network
8 Boxing: Lionel Rose v Alan Rudkin 1964 Seven Network
9 The Sound of Music 1977 Nine Network
10 Roots (miniseries) 1977 Ten Network

Note: the funeral of Princess Diana, the Wedding of Prince Charles and the Wedding of Prince William were all carried by all 4 major networks and are counted together.

Most viewed broadcasts since 2001 (OzTAM 5 City Metro Average)

The following table is a list of the most viewed programs based on the OzTAM 5 City Metro Average rating system.[95][96] It does not include regional numbers (40% of the population) and uses the average viewership, not the peak viewership. Also note these ratings are not comparable with ratings before 2001 due to different methodologies used after this time.

Rank Show Number of viewers Ratings Year Network
1 Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton 6.0 Million 2011 ABC, Network 7, Network 9, Network Ten, 7Two[97]
2 Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 4.09 Million 2018 Seven Network, Nine Network, ABC, SBS, BBC UKTV, Sky News Live
3 2005 Australian Open – Men's Singles Final 4.043 Million 29.3 2005 Seven Network
4 MasterChef Australia (season 2) – finale challenge 4.029 Million 27.1 2010 Network Ten
5 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 4.016 Million 29.7 2003 Seven Network
6 MasterChef Australia (season 1) – finale challenge 3.726 Million 25.6 2009 Network Ten
7 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 3.561 Million 25.5 2006 Nine Network
8 2005 AFL Grand Final (Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles) 3.386 Million 24.5 2005 Network Ten
9 The Block (season 4): Winner Announced 3.370 Million 21.9 2011 Nine Network
10 Australian Idol: Final Verdict 3.344 Million 24.5 2003 Network Ten

Brazil

Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel Content Source(s)
1 Selva de Pedra Episode 152 N/A 100% 4 October 1972 Rede Globo Telenovela [98]
Roque Santeiro Episode 209 96 100% 22 February 1986 Rede Globo Telenovela [99][100]
2 Tieta Episode 193 81 27 March 1990 Rede Globo Telenovela [101]
3 1998 FIFA World Cup Brazil vs. Netherlands (semi-final) 73 7 July 1998 Globo, SBT, Manchete, Band Association football [102]
4 2002 FIFA World Cup Brazil vs. Turkey (semi-final) 71 26 June 2002 Rede Globo Association football [98][103]
5 2002 FIFA World Cup Germany vs. Brazil (final) 67 91% 30 June 2002 Rede Globo Association football [104]
6 América Episode 203 66 82% 4 November 2005 Rede Globo Telenovela [105][106]

Canada

The two most-watched television broadcasts in Canadian history occurred during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. For the gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, played between the United States and Canada, confirmed 16.6 million Canadians watched the whole game, roughly one-half of the country's entire population.[107] A groundbreaking 26.5 million Canadians watched some part of the game, over 80 percent of the country's 34-million-person population.[108] According to multiple sources, 13.3 million Canadians watched the games' opening ceremony, which was the previous record.[109]

Many believed the final game of the 1972 Summit Series had up to 18 million viewers, but only 4.3 million TVs tuned in. This statistic does not represent the reality that most school children (representing the tail end of the baby-boom i.e. a large population) nationwide watched the game in gymnasiums on only one or two TVs. 10.3 million people watched the ice hockey gold medal final of the 2002 Winter Olympics.[110]

China

China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala has regularly attracted between 700 million[111] to 1.17 billion viewers annually.[112][113]

The CCTV's main evening news broadcast Xinwen Lianbo has a daily audience of around 135 million people,[114] and it is also one of the most expensive shows in the world per advertising spots, with its 2013 advertising slots selling for a record of 5.4 billion yuan.[114]

A Chinese boxer Zou Shiming's professional boxing debut on 6 April 2013 generated an estimated 300 million viewers.[115][116][117] Another professional boxer Qiu Xiaojun attracted around 200 million people for his fight against Ghanaian fighter Raymond Commey on 12 February 2016.[118][119]

France

Rank Event Viewers Share Date Network
1 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Covid-19 pandemic 36,730,000 94.5%[120] · [121] 13 April 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, Canal+, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
2 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Covid-19 pandemic 35,300,000 96.1%[122] 16 March 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
3 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Covid-19 pandemic 32,700,000 93.6%[123] 28 October 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
4 2018 FIFA World Cup Final: France vs Croatia 26,200,000 15 July 2018 TF1, BeIN Sports
5 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Covid-19 pandemic 24,600,000 87% 12 March 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
6 1998 FIFA World Cup Final: Brazil vs France 23,647,000 88.4% 12 July 1998 TF1, Canal+
7 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Covid-19 pandemic 23,610,000 85,6% 14 June 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
8 Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Yellow vests movement 23,000,000 81,4% 10 December 2018 TF1, France 2, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
9 Speech of the French President François Hollande in response to the Charlie Hebdo shooting 22,400,000 14 June 2020 TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
10 UEFA Euro 2016 Final: Portugal vs France 22,292,000 72.9% 10 July 2016 M6, BeIN Sports
11 2006 FIFA World Cup Semi-final: Portugal vs France 22,200,000 76.7% 5 July 2006 TF1
12 2006 FIFA World Cup Final: Italy vs France 22,143,000 80.3% 9 July 2006 TF1
13 2018 FIFA World Cup Final: France vs Croatia 20,940,000 82.2% 15 July 2018 TF1, BeIN Sports
14 1998 FIFA World Cup Semi-final: France vs Croatia 20,597,000 81.8% 8 July 1998 TF1, Canal+
15 UEFA Euro 2016 Semi-final: Germany vs France 20,339,000 68.8% 7 July 2016 TF1, BeIN Sports
16 UEFA Euro 2000 Final: France vs Italy 20,279,000 77.5% 2 July 2000 TF1
17 2018 FIFA World Cup Semi-final: France vs Belgium 20,178,000 70.5% 10 July 2018 TF1, BeIN Sports
18 2006 FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Spain vs France 19,564,000 67.9% 27 June 2006 TF1
19 2006 FIFA World Cup Group stage: Togo vs France 18,331,000 70.0% 22 June 2006 TF1
20 2007 Rugby World Cup Semi-final: England vs France 18,307,000 67.4% 13 October 2007 TF1
21 UEFA Euro 2016 Quarter-final: France vs Iceland 18,274,000 60.0% 3 July 2016 M6, BeIN Sports
22 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-final: France vs Germany 18,085,000 72.1% 4 July 2014 TF1, BeIN Sports
23 2006 FIFA World Cup Group stage: France vs South Korea 18,051,000 66.7% 18 June 2006 TF1
24 2006 FIFA World Cup quarter-final: Brazil vs France 17,939,000 73.1% 1 July 2006 TF1
25 2014 FIFA World Cup Group stage: Switzerland vs France 17,836,000 62.0% 20 June 2014 TF1, BeIN Sports
26 UEFA Euro 2000 Semi-final: France vs Portugal 17,691,000 70.5% 28 June 2000 France 2
27 1991 UEFA Champions League Final: Red Star Belgrade vs Olympique Marseille 17,500,000 68.3% 29 May 1991 TF1
28 Television show: Le Grand Bluff 17,400,000 74.0% 26 December 1992 TF1

Germany

Rank Show Episode Number of viewers Share Date Network
1 2014 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Argentina (final) 34,650,000 86.3% 13 July 2014 Das Erste
2 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil vs Germany (semi-final) 32,570,000 87.8% 8 July 2014 ZDF
3 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Spain (semi-final) 31,100,000 1, 4 83.2% 7 July 2010 Das Erste
4 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs France (semi-final) 29,820,000 80.6% 7 July 2016 ZDF
5 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 29,660,000 1, 2, 3 84.1% 4 July 2006 ZDF
6 UEFA Euro 2008 Germany vs Turkey (semi-final) 29,460,000 81.6% 25 June 2008 ZDF
7 2010 FIFA World Cup Ghana vs. Germany (group game) 29,190,000 1, 4 79.7% 23 June 2010 Das Erste
8 1990 FIFA World Cup West Germany vs Argentina (final) 28,660,000 87.9% 9 July 1990 Das Erste
9 UEFA Euro 1996 Germany vs Czech Republic (final) 28,440,000 76.3% 30 June 1996 ZDF
10 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Italy (quarter-final) 28,320,000 79.8% 2 July 2016 Das Erste
11 2014 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Algeria (Round of 16) 28,210,000 85.1% 30 June 2014 ZDF
12 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Slovakia (Round of 16) 28,110,000 81.2% 26 June 2014 ZDF
13 UEFA Euro 2008 Austria vs Germany (group game) 28,040,000 1, 5 76.9% 16 June 2008 ZDF
14 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 27,980,000 6 76.8% 28 June 2012 Das Erste
15 The Black Forest Clinic "Die Schuldfrage" ("The question of guilt") 27,970,000 17 November 1985 ZDF
16 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Australia (group game) 27,910,000 1, 4 74.4% 13 June 2010 Das Erste
17 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany (quarter-final) 27,700,000 1, 5 78.7% 19 June 2008 Das Erste
18 UEFA Euro 2012 Denmark vs Germany (group game) 27,650,000 74.2% 13 June 2012 ZDF
19 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Poland (group game) 27,320,000 73.3% 16 June 2016 ZDF
20 2014 FIFA World Cup USA vs Germany (group game) 27,250,000 84.2% 26 June 2014 ZDF

Note: The UEFA Euro 2008 final is missing from the list, because the lengthy trophy presentation was included into the official ratings. The game itself was watched by 28.05 million viewers.[124]

India

India measures the viewership of shows through TRP (Television Rating Point). Shows used to have higher ratings in 2000s as compared to present decade. The present shows that regularly score above or around the 3.5 mark are Kumkum Bhagya, and its spin off Kundali Bhagya along with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Sometimes these shows touch 4 which is still quite low as compared to highest rated shows of the last decade. Other than that Naagin (2015 TV series) is the only show now that scores above 4.7. All of these shows are produced by the same banner Balaji Telefilms except Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Currently, Bigg Boss 13 has been the most watched Show of 2020, recording an 11.3 TRP for the Final and an average of 8.3 TRP on regular episodes, being the most watched reality show in India. Ironically, 2.5-3.5 TRP was considered an average in the 2000s era of classic serials. The most-watched channel for years has been Star Plus, then Zee TV with major competition from Colors. Mahabharat (1988–1990), the television adaptation of Indian epic Mahabharata, had a share of 97.8% among Indian viewers.[125]

Aamir Khan's talk show Satyamev Jayate (2012–2014) drew an estimated audience of 600 million viewers in India.[126] The 2016 ICC World Twenty20 cricket cup was watched by an estimated 730 million viewers in India, with India vs. Pakistan being the most widely watched live event during the tournament.[127] The Doraemon anime series is India's highest-rated children's television show as of 2017, with a total of 478.5 million viewers across Hungama TV and Disney Channel India.[128][129]

Rank Show TVR(mn impressions) Network
1 Ramayan (1987 TV series) (Laxman vs Meghnath yudh) 77[130] Doordarshan
2 Luv Kush (finale) 67.10 Doordarshan
3 2018 Indian Premier League Final 55.6 [131] Star Network
4 2016 Indian Premier League Final 42.6 Sony Pictures Networks
6 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) 22.9 DD Bharati
7 Shri Krishna 22.8 DD National
8 Amanat 11.15 Zee TV
9 Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand 10.0 Star Plus
10 Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin 9.2 Sony TV India
11 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 8.4 Star Plus
12 Diya Aur Baati Hum 7.7 Star Plus
13 Pavitra Rishta 7.3 Zee TV
14 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 7.2 STAR PLUS
15 Naagin (2015 TV series) 6.1 Colors TV

Most viewed broadcasts

Rank Show Episode Viewership(millions) Date Network
1 2011 Cricket World Cup Sri Lanka vs India (final) 340[132] 2 April 2011 Star Sports Network
2 2015 Cricket World Cup Australia vs India (semi-final) 309[133] 26 March 2015 Star Sports
3 2015 Cricket World Cup India vs Pakistan (group stage match) 288[133] 15 February 2015 Star Sports
4 2015 Cricket World Cup West Indies vs India (group stage match) 262[133] 6 March 2015 Star Sports
5 2015 Cricket World Cup India vs South Africa (group stage match) 257[133] 22 February 2015 Star Sports
6 2015 Cricket World Cup India vs Bangladesh (quarter-final) 251[133] 19 March 2015 Star Sports
7 2015 Cricket World Cup Zimbabwe vs India (group stage match) 205[133] 14 March 2015 Star Sports
8 2017 ICC Champions Trophy India vs Pakistan (group stage match) 201[134] 4 June 2017 Star Sports
9 2008 Indian Premier League Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders (group stage match) 195[135] 18 April 2008 Sony Pictures Networks
10 2015 Cricket World Cup Ireland vs India (group stage match) 168[133] 10 March 2015 Star Sports

Ireland

A list of most-watched shows in the Republic of Ireland in the 21st century was released in January 2015. The Late Late Toy Show held the top six spots, with the 2014 edition drawing 1,593,000 viewers: over one-third of the country's population. Other high-performing shows were Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, crime drama Love/Hate, Mrs. Brown's Boys, The Sunday Game, UEFA Euro 2012 and the Eurovision Song Contest.[136]

Japan

The following list is for Japanese anime only. The list covers broadcasts after 26 September 1977. Video Research had previously recorded an episode of the 1960s Astro Boy anime that earned a 40.3% rating.[137]

No. Show Household Rating Date Network
1 Chibi Maruko-chan 39.9%[138][139] 28 October 1990 Fuji TV
2 Sazae-san 39.4% 16 September 1979 Fuji TV
3 Dr. Slump 36.9% 16 December 1981 Fuji TV
4 Dokonjō Gaeru 34.5% 23 February 1979 NTV
5 Japanese Folklore Tales 2 33.6% 10 January 1981 TBS
6 Lupin the Third 32.5% 8 December 1978 NTV
7 Touch 31.9% 22 December 1985 Fuji TV
8 Ashita no Joe 31.6% 13 March 1980 NTV
9 Doraemon 31.2% 11 February 1983 TV Asahi
10 GeGeGe no Kitarō 29.6% 22 March 1986 Fuji TV

Mexico

A list of most-watched shows in the Mexico, Televisa and TV Azteca broadcasters (Liga MX Apertura and Clausura), Boxing, 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, (FIFA World Cup hosts 1970 & 1986), some concerts like Maná's Unidos por La Paz at Estadio Azteca in March 2001; in 2007, the last episode of La Fea Más Bella", Funeral events like Chespirito at December 2014 the creator of TV Series El Chavo and El Chapulín Colorado, and Celebration of Mexican political anniversaries in 2010 celebrate independence from Spain also called Bicentenario 2010, had an average audience of over 40 million views in Mexican Television.

New Zealand

In 2011, the television website Throng published a list of the 12 most-watched television broadcasts in New Zealand from 1995 to 2011. This is based on average viewership of the program, but it does not include broadcasts from before 1995 or after 2011.[140]

The Rugby World Cup has frequently had large audiences – the Rugby World Cup 2011 final, and a semi-final, both had an average audience of over 2 million.

No. Show Viewship Date Network
01 2011 Rugby World Cup Final (NZ v France) 2,036,900 23 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
02 2011 Rugby World Cup Semi-final (NZ v Australia) 2,024,000 16 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
03 2011 Rugby World Cup Opening Game (NZ v Tonga) 1,930,000 9 September 2011 TV 1, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
04 Boxing: Lennox Lewis vs. David Tua World Title Defence 1,841,230 12 November 2000 TV 3
05 One News special – Death of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,703,310 31 August 1997 TV 1
06 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1,654,310 15 September 2000 TV 1
07 One News special – Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,649,710 6 September 1997 TV 1
08 2011 Rugby World Cup Qtr Final (NZ v Argentina) 1,624,400 9 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
09 2003 Rugby World Cup Final (England v Australia) 1,604,800 22 November 2003 TV 1
10 Martin Bashir's interview with Diana, Princess of Wales 1,516,780 21 November 1995 TV 2
11 2011 Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony 1,499,160 9 September 2011 TV 1
12 2007 Rugby World Cup (NZ v France) 1,410,410 7 October 2007 TV 3

Philippines

AGB Nielsen

The following table shows the all-time highest rating television shows in Mega Manila as tallied by AGB Nielsen since 1992. However, ratings are from a single highest recorded episode of the show (in the case of the TV series) and it is not the average over-all ratings for the whole season or series.

Top 20 highest rated television programs in Mega Manila since 1992
(AGB Nielsen tallies)[141][142]
Rank Network Program Year Rating
1 ABS-CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 2005 83.5%
2 ABS-CBN Rosalinda 1999 69.8%
3 ABS-CBN Esperanza 1997 67.0%
4 ABS-CBN Pangako Sa 'Yo 2002 64.9%
5 ABS-CBN Meteor Garden 2003 63.8%
6 ABS-CBN Miss Universe 1994 1994 62.5%
7 RPN Marimar 1996 61.7%
8 ABS-CBN María Mercedes 1996 59.7%
9 RPN Miss Universe 1999 1999 58.4%
10 GMA Bubble Gang 1997 57.6%
11 ABS-CBN Maalaala Mo Kaya 1992 57.3%
12 ABS-CBN Balitang K 1998 56.6%
13 ABS-CBN Wansapanataym 1997 56.4%
14 ABS-CBN TV Patrol 1996 56.0%
15 GMA i-Witness 1999 55.3%
16 ABS-CBN Magandang Gabi, Bayan 2000 55.0%
17 GMA MariMar 2007 54.9%
18 ABS-CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios 2006 54.4%
19 GMA Darna 2005 54.3%
20 ABS-CBN Mula Sa Puso 1997 53.7%

Poland

List of the 10 most-watched television broadcasts since the beginning of telemetry research in Poland (since 1997) by Nielsen Media Research:[143][144][145][146][147][148][149]

Rank Program Date Channel Number of viewers Share
1 Funeral of Pope John Paul II 8 April 2005 TVP1, TVP2, TVP3, Polsat, TVN, TVN24 and others Over 21,400,000 Almost 90%
2 UEFA Euro 2016: Poland vs Portugal (quarter-final) 30 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 15,974,822 86.57%
3 UEFA Euro 2012: Poland vs Russia (group stage) 12 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,683,216 81.51%
4 UEFA Euro 2016: Germany vs Poland (group stage) 16 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 14,352,012 80.89%
5 UEFA Euro 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland (group stage) 16 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,070,492 81.28%
6 FIFA World Cup 2018: Poland vs Colombia (group stage) 24 June 2018 TVP1, TVP Sport 13,631,335 75.45%
7 UEFA Euro 2012: Poland vs Greece (group stage) 8 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 13,308,343 83.78%
8 2002 Winter Olympics: Ski Jumping Men's K120 Individual
(Adam Małysz's silver medal)
13 February 2002 TVP1 13,259,612 75.15%
9 Funeral of President Lech Kaczyński and First Lady Maria Kaczyńska 18 April 2010 TVP1, TVP2, TVP Info, Polsat, Polsat News, TVN, TVN 24 and others 13,033,967 86.68%
10 UEFA Euro 2016: Ukraine vs Poland (group stage) 21 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 12,639,308 81.67%

Portugal

[150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160]

Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel
1 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs The Netherlands (semi-final) 40.1 85.4% 30 June 2004 RTP1
2 UEFA Euro 2012 Portugal vs Spain (semi-final) 39.5 76.0% 27 June 2012 SIC
3 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs England (quarter-final) 39.0 85.1% 24 June 2004 RTP1
4 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs Wales (semi-final) 38.4 75.4% 6 July 2016 RTP1
5 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs France (final) 38.2 78.1% 10 July 2016 RTP1
6 UEFA Euro 2012 Portugal vs The Netherlands (group stage match) 38.1 73.4% 17 June 2012 TVI
7 2014 FIFA World Cup United States vs Portugal (group stage match) 37.8 75.4% 22 June 2014 RTP1
8 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs Greece (final) 37.7 89.7% 4 July 2004 RTP1
9 UEFA Euro 2016 Poland vs Portugal (quarter-final) 37.4 69.9% 30 June 2016 RTP1
10 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs France (semi-final) 37.2 82.3% 5 July 2006 SIC
11 A Próxima Vítima The Last Episode 37.1 80.2% 19 January 1996 SIC
12 UEFA Euro 2012 Czech Republic vs Portugal (quarter-final) 36.1 71.7% 21 June 2012 RTP1
13 UEFA Euro 2004 Russia vs Portugal (group stage match) 35.5 81.4% 16 June 2004 SIC
14 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs Iceland (group stage match) 35.1 68.6% 14 June 2016 RTP1
15 UEFA Euro 2004 Spain vs Portugal (group stage match) 34.9 83.2% 20 June 2004 TVI
16 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs The Netherlands (round of 16) 34.9 80.7% 25 June 2006 SIC
17 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany (quarter-finals) 34.5 75.6% 19 June 2008 TVI
18 2015 Portuguese legislative election Debate: António Costa vs. Pedro Passos Coelho 34.1 66% 10 September 2015 RTP1, SIC, TVI
19 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Sweden vs Portugal (second leg playoff match) 34.1 62.2% 19 November 2013 RTP1
20 UEFA Europa League SL Benfica vs Chelsea FC (final) 33.8 62.3% 16 May 2013 SIC
21 UEFA Euro 2000 France vs Portugal (Semi-finals) 33.2 76.7% 28 June 2000 RTP1
22 2006 FIFA World Cup Angola vs Portugal (group stage match) 32.8 80.9% 11 June 2006 SIC
23 2018 FIFA World Cup Iran vs Portugal (group stage match) 32.4 71.6% 25 June 2018 RTP1
24 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Portugal (group stage match) 32.4 68.3% 9 June 2012 RTP1
25 O Rei do Gado Brazilian telenovela 32.2 67.5% January 1997 SIC
26 UEFA Champions League Monaco vs Porto (final) 31.7 70.5% 26 May 2004 RTP1
27 UEFA Euro 2016 Croatia vs Portugal (Round of 16) 31.3 70% 26 June 2016 RTP1
28 UEFA Europa League Sevilla FC vs SL Benfica (final) 31.1 61.4% 14 May 2014 SIC
29 UEFA Champions League Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid (final) 30.8 64.3% 24 May 2014 TVI
30 Terra Nostra Brazilian telenovela 30.8 64% 11 January 2000 SIC
31 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs Iran 30.4 83.1% 17 June 2006 SIC
32 UEFA Europa League Juventus FC vs SL Benfica (semi-final) 30.4 58.9% 1 May 2014 SIC
33 Big Brother Portugal Live eviction show 30.2 72.5% 26 December 2000 TVI
34 2018 FIFA World Cup Uruguay vs Portugal (round of 16) 30.1 70.1% 30 June 2018 RTP1
35 2018 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs Spain (group stage match) 30.1 69.1% 15 June 2018 RTP1
36 UEFA Cup Sporting CP vs CSKA Moscow (Final) 30.1 68.4% 18 May 2005 RTP1
37 Taça de Portugal SL Benfica vs Sporting CP (Sixth round) 29.9 62.6% 26 January 2005 RTP1
38 Torre de Babel Brazilian telenovela 29.8 77.1% 2 April 1999 SIC
39 UEFA Euro 2008 Switzerland vs Portugal 29.8 71.8% 15 June 2008 TVI
40 UEFA Cup Celtic FC vs FC Porto 29.7 67.5% 21 May 2003 RTP1
41 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Portugal (third place play-off) 29.6 78.4% 8 July 2006 SIC
42 UEFA Champions League Barcelona vs Benfica (quarter-finals) 29.3 65.4% 5 April 2006 RTP1
43 2006 FIFA World Cup England vs Portugal (quarter-finals) 29.2 88.1% 1 July 2006 SIC
44 2010 FIFA World Cup Spain vs Portugal (Round of 16) 29.1 75.9% 29 June 2010 RTP1
45 Juntos Por Todos Benefit concert 28.8 67.8% 27 June 2017 RTP1, SIC, TVI
46 Médico de Família Portuguese TV series 27.9 61.4% 16 March 1999 SIC

South Korea

Viewership ratings are provided by two companies in South Korea, AGB Nielsen Media Research and TNmS. Originally Media Service Korea was the only company providing such information, and it was later acquired by Nielsen Media Research. In 1999 TNS Media Korea also began such service, and later changed its name to TNmS. AGB collects viewership data based on 2050 households, while TNmS has 2000 households with measuring devices. Drama ratings usually vary between the two companies by 2–3%.[161]

Top 20 most-watched South Korean dramas since 1992 (AGB Nielsen tallies)
# Drama Channel Viewership Date
1. First Love KBS2 65.8% 20 April 1997
2. What is Love MBC 64.9% 24 May 1992
3. Sandglass SBS 64.5% 6 February 1995
4. Hur Jun MBC 63.7% 27 June 2000
5. Sunny Place of Youth KBS2 62.7% 12 November 1995
6. You and I MBC 62.4% 12 April 1998
7. The Son and the Daughter MBC 61.1% 21 March 1993
8. Taejo Wang Geon KBS1 60.2% 20 May 2001
9. Eyes of Dawn MBC 58.4% 6 February 1992
10. Dae Jang Geum MBC 57.8% 23 March 2004
11. Lovers in Paris SBS 57.6% 15 August 2004
12. See and See Again MBC 57.3% 12 October 1998
13. Truth MBC 56.5% 24 February 2000
14. Jealousy MBC 56.1% 21 July 1992
15. Even When the Wind Blows KBS1 55.8% 26 February 1996
16. Bathhouse Men KBS2 53.4% 25 August 1996
17. Gook Hee (tie) MBC 53.1% 16 November 1999
17. Trap of Youth (tie) SBS 53.1% 15 April 1999
19. Tomato SBS 52.7% 3 June 1999
20. M MBC 52.2% 30 August 1994

Sweden

Statistics from Mediamätning Skandinavien.[162]

Most-watched programmes per year

Year Programme Date Number of viewers (millions) Network
2000 Melodifestivalen 2000 10 March 4.175 SVT2
2001 Melodifestivalen 2001 23 February 3.84 SVT1
2002 Melodifestivalen 2002 1 March 3.72 SVT1
2003 Melodifestivalen 2003 15 March 3.815 SVT1
2004 Melodifestivalen 2004 20 March 4.105 SVT1
2005 Melodifestivalen 2005 12 March 4.055 SVT1
2006 Melodifestivalen 2006 18 March 4.240 SVT1
2007 Melodifestivalen 2007 10 March 3.975 SVT1
2008 Melodifestivalen 2008 15 March 4.045 SVT1
2009 Melodifestivalen 2009 14 March 3.59 SVT1
2010 Melodifestivalen 2010 13 March 3.87 SVT1
2011 Melodifestivalen 2011 12 March 3.67 SVT1
2012 Melodifestivalen 2012 10 March 4.11 SVT1
2013 Melodifestivalen 2013 9 March 4.15 SVT1
2014 Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar god jul 24 December 3.705 SVT1
2018 Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar god jul 24 December 3.786 SVT1
2019 Melodifestivalen 2019 14 March 3.652 SVT1

Most-watched sport events per year

Year Programme Date Number of viewers (millions) Network
2000 UEFA Euro 2000 Final (FRA–ITA) 2 July 2.34 SVT2
2001 2001 World Men's Handball Championship Final (FRA–SWE) 4 February 2.635 TV4
2002 2002 European Men's Handball Championship Final (SWE–GER) 3 February 3.06 TV4
2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Final (GER–SWE) 12 October 3.525 TV4
2004 UEFA Euro 2004 (SWE–DEN) 22 June 3.796 TV4
2005 2005 World Championships in Athletics 7 August 4.055 TV4
2006 2006 Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Final (SWE–FIN) 26 February 3.52 SVT2
2007 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2007 – Women's slalom 16 February 2.23 SVT1
2008 UEFA Euro 2008 (GRE–SWE) 10 June 3.03 TV4
2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1 (DEN–SWE) 10 October 1.805 Kanal 5
2010 2010 FIFA World Cup Final (NED–ESP) 11 July 2.66 SVT1
2011 2011 IIHF World Championship Final (SWE–FIN) 15 May 2.035 TV3
2012 UEFA Euro 2012 (UKR–SWE) 11 June 2.94 SVT1
2013 2013 IIHF World Championship Final (SWE–SUI) 19 May 2.915 TV4
2014 2014 FIFA World Cup (GER–ARG) 13 July 2.810 TV4
2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 1 May 2.272 SVT1

United Kingdom

Most-watched special events

Special events attracting large audiences are often carried on more than one channel. The most-watched programme of all time on a single channel is the 1973 wedding ceremony of Princess Anne, shown only on BBC1. The figures in these tables represent the average viewership achieved by each broadcast during its run-time and do not include peak viewership.

Rank Event Viewers
(millions)
Date Network
1 1966 FIFA World Cup Final: England v West Germany 32.30[163] 30 July 1966 BBC One/ITV
2 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 32.10[164] 6 September 1997 BBC One/ITV
3 Royal Family (documentary) 30.69[163] 21 June 1969 and 28 June 1969 BBC One/ITV
4 Apollo 13 Splashdown 28.60[165] 17 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
5 1970 FA Cup Final replay 28.49[165] 29 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
6 Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 28.40[166] 29 July 1981 BBC One/ITV
7 Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips 27.60[165] 14 November 1973 BBC One
8 Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement on COVID-19 27.1[167] 23 March 2020 BBC One/ITV/Channel 4/Channel 5/Sky News/BBC News
9 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 24.46[168] 12 August 2012 BBC One
10 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 24.24[168] 27 July 2012 BBC One

Notes:

Most-watched programmes

The following is a list of most-watched programmes, excluding sporting events and news coverage. The mid-1980s introduction of in-week repeat showings accounts for six of the top ten programmes. On this measure, the 1996 Christmas edition of Only Fools and Horses is the most-watched non-repeated, non-documentary programme of all time in the UK. It is the third most-watched programme of all time on a single channel, after the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony and the wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips in 1973 (see below).

Rank Show Episode Number of viewers
(millions)
Date Network
1 EastEnders Den Watts serves wife Angie with divorce papers. 30.15[173] 25 December 1986* BBC One
2 EastEnders Michelle Fowler reveals that she is pregnant to Lou Beale. 28.00[174] 1 January 1986* BBC One
3 Coronation Street Hilda Ogden leaves, having appeared continuously since 1964. 26.65[174] 25 December 1987* ITV (Granada)
4 Only Fools and Horses "Time on Our Hands" 24.35[175] 29 December 1996 BBC One
5 EastEnders N/A 24.30[164] 2 January 1992* BBC One
6 Royal Variety Performance 1965 Ft. Dame Shirley Bassey, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore CBE and more. 24.20[163] 14 November 1965 ITV (ATV)
7 EastEnders N/A 24.15[176] 7 January 1988* BBC One
8 To the Manor Born "A Touch of Class" - Series 1 Finale 23.95[165] 11 November 1979 BBC One
9 Miss World 1967 Madeline Hartog-Bel (Miss Peru) wins. 23.76[163] 19 November 1967 BBC One
10 EastEnders N/A 23.55[177] 26 December 1985* BBC One
11 Panorama Diana, Princess of Wales 22.78[178] 20 November 1995 BBC One
12 Royal Variety Performance 1975 Bruce Forsyth, Dad's Army & Vera Lynn 22.66[165] 16 November 1975 ITV (ATV)
13 This Is Your Life Lord Mountbatten 22.22[165] 27 April 1977 ITV (Thames)
14 Sunday Night at the London Palladium Variety of celebrities, including Jimmy Tarbuck and Shirley Bassey. 21.89[163] 3 December 1967 ITV (ATV)
15 The Benny Hill Show Cinema: The Vintage Years 21.67[165] 24 March 1971 ITV (Thames)
16 Dallas "Who Done It" – Kristin Shepard is revealed to have shot J.R. Ewing. 21.60[166] 22 November 1980 BBC One
Coronation Street Ken and Deirdre Barlow officially divorce. 21.60[164] 8 January 1992 ITV (Granada)
18 Eurovision Song Contest 1973 Anne-Marie David wins for Luxembourg. 21.56[165] 7 April 1973 BBC One
19 Steptoe and Son "The Lodger" – Albert looks for a lodger. 21.54[163] 18 February 1964 BBC TV
20 The Mike Yarwood Show Mike Yarwood Christmas Show 21.40[165] 25 December 1977 BBC One
Coronation Street Bet Lynch becomes landlady of the Rovers Return Inn. 21.40[177] 2 January 1985 ITV (Granada)

*Denotes aggregated figure with repeat showing.

United States

NBC's live telecast of Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 holds the record for the largest average viewership of any live single-network U.S. television broadcast, with 114.4 million viewers.[179] During this broadcast, the halftime show was watched by 118.5 million viewers.[179] The previous live telecast Super Bowl XLV in February 2011 helped Fox become the first television network in the United States to be watched by at least 100 million American viewers by average for a single primetime night of programming.[180] Moreover, Super Bowl telecasts account for 23 of the most-watched television broadcasts based on overall viewership in U.S. television history.[181] Fox's live telecast of Super Bowl LI in 2017 currently holds the largest total viewership in U.S. television history, peaking at 172 million viewers in Super Bowl's first ever overtime play.

Additionally, the National Football League (or NFL) regular season is watched since 2012 by at least 200 million individuals in the United States, accounting for the largest consistent annual nationwide viewership for any television event in U.S. television history (representing almost 70% of the American households, more than 80% of the total U.S. television viewers, and more than half of the 2020 U.S. population of 340 million individuals).

Most-watched broadcasts

Event Viewership (millions)[182][183] Date Network
Apollo 11 EVA 125–150[184][185][186] 20 July 1969 multiple
Super Bowl XLIX 114.4 1 February 2015 NBC
Super Bowl XLVIII 112.2 2 February 2014 Fox
Super Bowl 50 111.9 7 February 2016 CBS
Super Bowl XLVI 111.3 5 February 2012 NBC
Super Bowl LI 111.3 5 February 2017 Fox
Super Bowl XLV 111.0 6 February 2011 Fox
Richard Nixon resignation speech 110[185] 9 August 1974 multiple
Super Bowl XLVII 108.7 3 February 2013 CBS
Super Bowl XLIV 106.5 7 February 2010 CBS
M*A*S*H ("Goodbye, Farewell and Amen") 105.9[187] 28 February 1983 CBS
Super Bowl LII 103.4 4 February 2018 NBC
Super Bowl LIV 100.4 2 February 2020 Fox
Roots ("Part VIII") 100.0[188] 30 January 1977 ABC
Super Bowl XLIII 98.7 1 February 2009 NBC
Super Bowl LIII 98.2 3 February 2019 CBS
Super Bowl XLII 97.4 3 February 2008 Fox
Police pursuit of O.J. Simpson 95[189][190] 17 June 1994 multiple
Super Bowl XXX 94.1 28 January 1996 NBC
Super Bowl XLI 93.2 4 February 2007 CBS
Super Bowl XX 92.6 26 January 1986 NBC
Super Bowl XXVII 91.0 31 January 1993 NBC
Super Bowl XL 90.7 5 February 2006 ABC
Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II 90.0[191][192] 15 September 1978 ABC
Super Bowl XXVIII 90.0 30 January 1994 NBC

References

Sources

  • Mytton, Graham (14 August 2012). "Global Media Research: Can We Know Global Audiences? A View from a BBC Perspective". In Ingrid Volkmer (ed.). The Handbook of Global Media Research. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 40–54. ISBN 9781118255292. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  • https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/man-vs-wild-episode-featuring-pm-modi-was-most-trending-televised-event-claims-bear-grylls-4351101.html
  • https://in.mashable.com/entertainment/5924/pm-narendra-modis-man-vs-wild-stint-with-bear-grylls-is-officially-the-most-watched-episode-on-tv

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