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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. Take note, however, that the most watched television broadcast in any of the following nations can also be broadcast simultaneously in other foreign territories for a single year, and may rank into the most watched television broadcasts for such nations as well.

Many events have been reported as been watched by large global audiences. These over-estimates occurred at the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer,[1][2]) the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales[3][4][5] Michael Jackson's memorial service,[6] and the 2010 rescue of 33 trapped miners in Chile,[7] and the world's first ever live entertainment satellite broadcast (for an Elvis Presley show live from Hawaii, titled Aloha from Hawaii). The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was predicted to draw two billion viewers,[8] but as it is impossible to accurately gauge total viewers across the globe due to how data is collected, some sources have suggested that the figure was not accurate with one suggesting that it drew a verified audience of 161 million viewers from 47% of the world population.[9]

On 20 July 1969, an estimated 530 million people watched the live global broadcast of the first humans ever to walk on the surface of the moon (this constituted around 14% of total population of the world at the time),[10][11] despite the fact that the first moonwalk took place in the middle of the night in Europe (at 02:56 in Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom and 03:56 in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) and it was not broadcast at all in the Eastern Bloc[12] except Romania[13] and Poland.[14] The 2011 Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan is reported to have been watched by about 1 billion people by The Guardian,[15] which if accurate would mean it had more than twice as many viewers as the final, which was watched by 400 million people based on the available data.[9] And the annual Eurovision Song Contest, considered to be one of the world's longest running and most watched reality television franchises, is annually reported to have between 100 and 600 million viewers, depending on the source.[16][17]

According to Telegraph.co.uk, the 6 hour 45 minutes long 2015 Cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan played on 15 February 2015 was seen by nearly 1 billion people.[18] While on digital platform, the cricket match was seen by nearly 25 million viewers from India creating a new record.[19]

IPG independent media agency Initiative Worldwide estimated that 260 million people worldwide watched the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final (the average audience for the broadcast of the game).[20] Six hundred million watched some part of the game (the "reach").[21] In 2010 another independent firm estimated that 322 million viewers watched the 2006 final on average, with a reach of 638 million.[22] None of these figures match the estimate by event organizers FIFA, a "global cumulative audience" of 715.1 million people.[23][24]

Several scripted television series in the previous decades placed among the world's most watched overall broadcasts. For instance, U.S. sitcoms such as The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and Friends ranked among the world's most watched television shows from the late 1980s until the mid-2000s, as they were broadcast in and out of the U.S. to almost 1 billion viewers. Notable personalities in the same period such as Mexico's Thalia and Germany's David Hasselhoff (both currently based in the U.S.) starred in primetime series such as the Las Tres Marias telenovelas (Maria Mercedes, Marimar and Maria la del Barrio), Rosalinda and Baywatch, which were broadcast to almost 2 billion viewers in more than 120 countries and still remained among the world's most watched non-U.S.-based television series.

Despite frequent deliberations of event organizers on increasing such viewership figures, the 2008 Summer Olympics boasts the official world record for the largest global viewership, and the highest peak viewer share in the world for a multi-day television broadcast. It is estimated by Nielsen Media Research that between 4.7 billion and 5 billion individual viewers (or around 70% of the world's 7-billion human population) watched some part of the coverage, including its peak final hour of the live broadcast of the closing ceremony in August 2008.[25][26] Moreover, Idols remained as the international television franchise with the largest collective global viewership in the world to date, shown in versions in over 150 countries worldwide and watched by at least 6.5 billion viewers (more than 90% of the world's 7-billion human population).[27]

In recent decades, majority of the reality television franchises broadcasts and international sporting events (which are broadcast live in several countries, regardless of the origin of the program's transmission) tend to comprise some of the most watched television programs around the world, as tallied by their media research bases.

National

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 (before 2001) and OzTAM (2001 and later).[28]

Rank Show Date Network
1 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1997 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
2 Wedding of Charles and Diana 1981 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
3 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony 2000 Seven Network
4 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony 2000 Seven Network
5 Wedding of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 2011 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
6 1984 Los Angeles Olympics opening ceremony 1984 Ten Network
7 The World of The Seekers 1968 Ten Network
8 Boxing: Rose v Rudkin 1964 Six Network
9 The Sound of Music 1977 Nine Network
10 Roots (miniseries) 1977 Ten Network

Most viewed broadcasts since 2001 (OzTAM 5 City Metro Average)[29][30]

The following table is a list of the most viewed programmes based on the OzTAM 5 City Metro Average rating system. It does not include regional numbers and uses the average viewership, not the peak viewership.

Rank Show Number of viewers Ratings Year Network
1 2011 British Royal Wedding 6.0 Million -- 2011 ABC, Network 7, Network 9, Network Ten, 7Two[31]
2 2005 Australian Open – Men's Singles Final 4.043 Million 29.3 2005 Seven Network
3 MasterChef Australia (season 2) – finale challenge 4.029 Million 27.1 2010 Network Ten
4 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 4.016 Million 29.7 2003 Seven Network
5 MasterChef Australia (season 1) – finale challenge 3.726 Million 25.6 2009 Network Ten
6 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 3.561 Million 25.5 2006 Nine Network
7 The Block (season 4): Winner Announced 3.37 Million 21.9 2011 Nine Network
8 2005 AFL Grand Final (Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles) 3.386 Million 24.5 2005 Network Ten
9 Australian Idol: Final Verdict 3.344 Million 24.5 2002 Network Ten
10 The Voice: Grand Final 2012 3 Million 21.2 2012 Nine Network

Brazil

Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel
1 Roque Santeiro Episode 209
96[32]
 100% 22 February 1986 Rede Globo
2 Vale Tudo Episode 203
86[33]
 96% (projection) 6 January 1989 Rede Globo
3 Tieta Episode 105
78
 — 31 March 1990 Rede Globo

Canada

The most watched television broadcast in Canadian history was the Gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, played between the United States and Canada at General Motors Place (renamed "Canada Hockey Place" for the Olympics) in Vancouver. A confirmed 16.6 million Canadians watched the whole game, roughly one-half of the country's entire population.[34] A groundbreaking 26.5 million Canadians watched some part of the game, over 80 percent of the country's 34-million-person population.[35] According to multiple sources, 13.3 million Canadians watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, which was the previous record.[36]

Many believed the final game of the 1972 Summit Series had up to 18 million viewers, but this was not so; only 4.3 million people watched it. 10.3 million people watched the ice hockey gold medal final of the 2002 Winter Olympics.[37]

China

China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala has regularly attracted between 700 million[38] to one billion viewers annually.[39]

The CCTV's main evening news broadcast Xinwen Lianbo has a daily audience of around 135 million people,[40] 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.[40]

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 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 29,660,000 1, 2, 3 84.1% 4 July 2006 ZDF
5 UEFA Euro 2008 Germany vs Turkey (semi-final) 29,460,000 81.6% 25 June 2008 ZDF
6 2010 FIFA World Cup Ghana vs. Germany (group game) 29,190,000 1, 4 79.7% 23 June 2010 Das Erste
7 1990 FIFA World Cup West Germany vs Argentina (final) 28,660,000 87.9% 9 July 1990 Das Erste
8 UEFA Euro 1996 Germany vs Czech Republic (final) 28,440,000 76.3% 30 June 1996 ZDF
9 2014 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Algeria (Round of 16) 28,210,000 85.1% 30 June 2014 ZDF
10 UEFA Euro 2008 Austria vs Germany (group game) 28,040,000 1, 5 76.9% 16 June 2008 ZDF
11 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 27,980,000 6 76.8% 28 June 2012 Das Erste
12 The Black Forest Clinic "Die Schuldfrage" ("The question of guilt") 27,970,000 17 November 1985 ZDF
13 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Australia (group game) 27,910,000 1, 4 74.4% 13 June 2010 Das Erste
14 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany (quarter-final) 27,700,000 1, 5 78.7% 19 June 2008 Das Erste
15 UEFA Euro 2012 Denmark vs Germany (group game) 27,650,000 74.2% 13 June 2012 ZDF
16 2014 FIFA World Cup USA vs Germany (group game) 27,250,000 84.2% 26 June 2014 ZDF
  1. Public viewing areas were not included in these ratings.
  1. The approximated rating is about 60 to 70 million.[41]
  1. The extra time reached even 31.31 million viewers.[42]
  1. Summary of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ratings.
  1. Summary of the UEFA Euro 2008 ratings.
  1. Summary of the UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy semi-final game.

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.[43]

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.[44]

Philippines

AGB Nielsen

The following table shows the all-time highest rating television shows in Mega Manila as tallied by AGB Nielsen Philippines since 1992. Take note, however, that the 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/series.

AGB Nielsen Philippines' all-time highest rating television shows in Mega Manila since 1992.[45][46]
Rank Network Program Year Rating
1 ABS-CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 2006 83.5%
2 ABS-CBN Rosalinda 2000 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 ABS-CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios 2006 54.4%
18 GMA Darna 2005 54.3%
19 ABS-CBN Mula Sa Puso 1997 53.7%
20 RPN Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera 2003 52.9%
21 ABC 2005 Southeast Asian Games 2005 52.6%
21 GMA MariMar 2007 52.6%
22 ABS-CBN Basta't Kasama Kita 2003 52.5%
23 ABS-CBN Star Circle Teen Quest 2004 52.3%
24 ABS-CBN Flames 1996 51.9%
25 GMA Encantadia 2005 51.7%
26 ABS-CBN Marina 2004 50.8%
27 ABS-CBN Pinoy Big Brother 2005 50.4%
27 GMA Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto 2009 50.4%
28 GMA Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao 2009 49.8%
29 GMA Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II 2007 49.5%
29 ABS-CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales III 2006 49.5%
30 ABS-CBN Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas 2003 49.3%

Kantar

Kantar Media Philippines officially released its national television audience measurement data on January 2009 via Taylor Nelson Sofres/TNS. Since then, these are the shows that posted the all-time highest television ratings in the Philippines. Still, take note that the 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/series.

Kantar Media Philippines' (formerly Kantar/TNS Philippines) highest rating television shows nationwide since 2009.
Rank Network Program Rating Year
1 ABS-CBN May Bukas Pa 47.3% 2010
2 ABS-CBN The Voice Kids 46.3% 2015
3 ABS-CBN FPJ's: Ang Probinsyano 45.9% 2015
4 ABS-CBN Tayong Dalawa 45.8% 2009
GMA Firepower: Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto
5 ABS-CBN Walang Hanggan 45.4% 2012
6 GMA Vindication: Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley II 45.1% 2014
7 ABS-CBN Agua Bendita 44.9% 2010
8 ABS-CBN TV Patrol 44.8% 2009
9 ABS-CBN Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up 44.6% 2010
10 ABS-CBN Mara Clara 43.4% 2011
11 ABS-CBN Pilipinas Got Talent 43.3% 2010
12 GMA Hungry for Glory: Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri 43.1% 2014
13 ABS-CBN Dahil May Isang Ikaw 42.9% 2010
Ina, Kapatid, Anak 2013
14 ABS-CBN Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo 42.7% 2010
15 ABS-CBN Juan dela Cruz 42.6% 2013
16 ABS-CBN Nathaniel 42.0% 2015
17 GMA The Battle of East and West: Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao 41.9% 2009
18 GMA The Eighth Wonder of the World: Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito 41.5% 2010
19 ABS-CBN I Love Betty La Fea 41.3% 2009
GMA The Event: Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey 2010
20 ABS-CBN Maalaala Mo Kaya 40.9% 2013
21 ABS-CBN Princess and I 40.6% 2010
22 GMA Eat Bulaga! 40.1% 2015
23 ABS-CBN Only You 40.0% 2009
24 ABS-CBN Noah 39.9% 2010
25 ABS-CBN Pangako Sa 'Yo 39.7% 2015
26 ABS-CBN Forevermore 39.3% 2015
27 ABS-CBN Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin 39.1% 2011
28 GMA The 25th Round Begins: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III 38.9% 2011
29 ABS-CBN 100 Days to Heaven 38.7% 2011
30 ABS-CBN Got to Believe 38.6% 2013

Portugal

[47][48][49] [50][51][52][53][54][55]

Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel
1 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs The Netherlands (semi-final) 40.9 87.2% 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 2012 Portugal vs The Netherlands (group stage match) 38.1 73.4% 17 June 2012 TVI
5 2014 FIFA World Cup United States vs Portugal (group stage match) 37.8 75.4% 22 June 2014 RTP1
6 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs Greece (final) 37.7 89.7% 4 July 2004 RTP1
7 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs France (semi-final) 37.2 82.3% 5 July 2006 SIC
8 A Próxima Vítima The Last Episode 37.1 80.2% 19 January 1996 SIC
9 UEFA Euro 2012 Czech Republic vs Portugal (quarter-final) 36.1 71.7% 21 June 2012 RTP1
10 UEFA Euro 2004 Russia vs Portugal (group stage match) 35.5 81.4% 16 June 2004 SIC
11 UEFA Euro 2004 Spain vs Portugal (group stage match) 34.9 83.2% 20 June 2004 TVI
12 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs The Netherlands (round of 16) 34.9 80.7% 25 June 2006 SIC
13 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany (quarter-finals) 34.5 75.6% 19 June 2008 TVI
14 2015 Portuguese legislative election Debate: António Costa vs. Pedro Passos Coelho 34.1 66% 10 September 2015 RTP1, SIC, TVI
15 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Sweden vs Portugal (second leg playoff match) 34.1 62.2% 19 November 2013 RTP1
15 UEFA Europa League SL Benfica vs Chelsea FC (final) 33.8 62.3% 16 May 2013 SIC
16 2006 FIFA World Cup Angola vs Portugal (group stage match) 32.8 80.9% 11 June 2006 SIC
17 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Portugal (group stage match) 32.4 68.3% 9 June 2012 RTP1
18 UEFA Champions League Monaco vs Porto (final) 31.7 70.5% 26 May 2004 RTP1
19 UEFA Europa League Sevilla FC vs SL Benfica (final) 31.1 61.4% 14 May 2014 SIC
20 UEFA Champions League Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid (final) 30.8 64.3% 24 May 2014 TVI
21 Terra Nostra Brazilian telenovela 30.8 64% 11 January 2000 SIC
22 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs Iran 30.4 83.1% 17 June 2006 SIC
23 UEFA Europa League Juventus FC vs SL Benfica (semi-final) 30.4 58.9% 1 May 2014 SIC
24 Big Brother Portugal Live eviction show 30.2 72.5% 26 December 2000 TVI
25 UEFA Cup Sporting CP vs CSKA Moscow (Final) 30.1 68.4% 18 May 2005 RTP1
26 Taça de Portugal SL Benfica vs Sporting CP (Sixth round) 29.9 62.6% 26 January 2005 RTP1
27 Torre de Babel Brazilian telenovela 29.8 77.1% 2 April 1999 SIC
28 UEFA Euro 2008 Switzerland vs Portugal 29.8 71.8% 15 June 2008 TVI
29 UEFA Cup Celtic FC vs FC Porto 29.7 67.5% 21 May 2003 SIC
30 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Portugal (Third place play-off) 29.6 78.4% 8 July 2006 SIC
31 2006 FIFA World Cup England vs Portugal (quarter-finals) 29.2 88.1% 1 July 2006 SIC
32 UEFA Champions League Barcelona vs Benfica(quarter-finals) 29.3 65.6% 5 April 2006 RTP1
33 2010 FIFA World Cup Spain vs Portugal (Round of 16) 29.1 75.9% 29 June 2010 RTP1
34 Médico de Família Portuguese TV series 27.9 61.4% 16 March 1999 SIC

Sweden

Statistics from Mediamätning Skandinavien.[56]

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 24 December 3.705 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

United Kingdom

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 The Princess Anne in 1973 (see below).

  • Post-1981 figures verified by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB)
  • Pre-1981 figures supplied by the British Film Institute
Rank Show Episode Number of viewers
(millions) 		Date Network
1 EastEnders Den serves Angie with divorce papers. 30.15[57] 25 December 1986* BBC One
2 EastEnders Michelle Fowler reveals she's pregnant. 28.00[57] 1 January 1986* BBC One
3 Coronation Street Hilda Ogden leaves 26.65[57] 25 December 1987* ITV (Granada)
4 Only Fools and Horses "Time on Our Hands" 24.35[58] 29 December 1996 BBC One
5 EastEnders 24.30[59] 2 January 1992* BBC One
6 Royal Variety Performance 1965 Dame Shirley Bassey, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore 24.20[60] 14 November 1965 ITV (ATV)
7 EastEnders 24.15[61] 7 January 1988* BBC One
8 To the Manor Born Series 1 Finale 23.95[62] 11 November 1979 BBC One
9 Miss World 1967 23.76[60] 19 November 1967 BBC One
10 EastEnders 23.55[63] 26 December 1985* BBC One
11 Panorama Princess Diana 22.78[64] 20 November 1995 BBC One
12 Royal Variety Performance 1975 22.66[62] 16 November 1975 ITV (ATV)
13 Coronation Street 22.45[65] 22 January 1992 ITV (Granada)
14 This Is Your Life Lord Mountbatten 22.22[62] 27 April 1977 ITV (Thames)
15 Sunday Night at the London Palladium 21.89[60] 3 December 1967 ITV (ATV)
16 The Benny Hill Show 21.67[62] 24 March 1971 ITV (Thames)
=17 Dallas J. R. Ewing's shooter is revealed 21.60[66] 22 November 1980 BBC One
=17 Coronation Street 21.60[59] 8 January 1992 ITV (Granada)
19 Eurovision Song Contest 1973 21.56[62] 7 April 1973 BBC One
20 Steptoe and Son 21.54[60] 18 February 1964 BBC One
21 The Mike Yarwood Show Mike Yarwood Christmas Show 21.40[62] 25 December 1977 BBC One
=21 Coronation Street Bet Lynch becomes landlady of the Rovers Return Inn 21.40[63] 2 January 1985 ITV (Granada)
23 Coronation Street Rita Tanner's first appearance 21.36[60] 2 December 1964 ITV (Granada)
24 Only Fools and Horses "If They Could See Us Now" 21.35[67] 25 December 2001 BBC One

* denotes aggregated figure with repeat showing.

Most watched films

These are the most watched films by total number of viewers[68] (dates are when the films were broadcast, not necessarily when they were produced).

Rank Title Number of viewers
(millions) 		Date Network
1 Live and Let Die 23.50 20 January 1980 ITV
2 Jaws 23.25 8 October 1981 ITV
3 The Spy Who Loved Me 22.90 28 March 1982 ITV
4 Diamonds Are Forever 22.15 15 March 1981 ITV
5 Crocodile Dundee 21.75 25 December 1989 BBC1

Most watched special events

The majority of 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 The Princess Anne, shown only on BBC1.

Rank Event Number of viewers
(millions) 		Date Network
1 1966 FIFA World Cup Final 32.30[60] 30 July 1966 BBC One/ITV
2 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 32.10[59] 6 September 1997 BBC One/ITV
3 Royal Family (documentary) 30.69[60] 21 June 1969 and 28 June 1969 BBC One/ITV
4 Apollo 13 splashdown 28.60[62] 17 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
5 FA Cup Final replay: Chelsea vs. Leeds 28.49[62] 29 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
6 Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 28.40[66] 29 July 1981 BBC One/ITV
7 Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips 27.60[62] 14 November 1973 BBC One
8 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 24.46[69] 12 August 2012 BBC One
9 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 24.24[70] 27 July 2012 BBC One
10 JFK Assassination – News Broadcast 24.15[60] 22 November 1963 BBC One/ITV

Note: The Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (29 April 2011) received a total audience peak of 26 million viewers, but this is a combined figure aggregated from the ten different channels that broadcast the ceremony. The highest figures of these were 13.59 million on BBC1, with an extra 4.02 million watching on ITV.[71]

Most watched programmes per year

Year Programme Date Number of viewers
(millions) 		Network
1981 Film: Jaws 8 October 1981 23.30[72] ITV
1982 Film: The Spy Who Loved Me 28 March 1982 22.90[73] ITV
1983 Coronation Street 23 February 1983 18.45[74] ITV
1984 Royal Variety Performance 1984 25 November 1984 20.55[75] BBC One
1985 EastEnders 26 December 1985 23.55[63] BBC One
1986 EastEnders 25 December 1986 30.15[57] BBC One
1987 EastEnders 1 January 1987 28.00[57] BBC One
1988 EastEnders 5 February 1988 24.15[76] BBC One
1989 Film: "Crocodile" Dundee 25 December 1989 21.77[77] BBC One
1990 Neighbours (Episode 837) 26 January 1990 21.16[78] BBC One
1991 Coronation Street 25 November 1991 20.45[79] ITV
1992 Coronation Street 22 January 1992 22.45[65] ITV
1993 Coronation Street 22 March 1993 20.73[80] ITV
1994 Torvill and Dean – Olympic Ice Dance Championship 21 February 1994 23.95[81] BBC One
1995 Panorama Special: Princess Diana 20 November 1995 22.78[64] BBC One
1996 Only Fools and Horses 29 December 1996 24.35[58] BBC One
1997 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 6 September 1997 19.29[82] BBC One
1998 1998 FIFA World Cup: England v Argentina 30 June 1998 23.78[83] ITV
1999 Coronation Street 7 March 1999 19.82[84] ITV
2000 Coronation Street 3 January 2000 18.96[84] ITV
2001 Only Fools & Horses 25 December 2001 21.35[84] BBC One
2002 Only Fools & Horses 25 December 2002 17.40[84] BBC One
2003 Coronation Street 24 February 2003 19.43[84] ITV
2004 UEFA Euro 2004: England v Portugal 24 June 2004 20.66[84] BBC One
2005 Coronation Street 21 February 2005 14.36[84] ITV
2006 2006 FIFA World Cup: England v Sweden 20 June 2006 18.46[84] ITV
2007 EastEnders 25 December 2007 14.38[84] BBC One
2008 Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death 25 December 2008 16.15[84] BBC One
2009 Britain's Got Talent Final Result 30 May 2009 18.29[84] ITV
2010 The X Factor Results 12 December 2010 16.55[84] ITV
2011 The Royal Wedding 29 April 2011 13.59[84] BBC One1
2012 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony 12 August 2012 24.46[84] BBC One
2013 New Year's Eve Fireworks 31 December 2013 13.52[84] BBC One
2014 2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Germany v Argentina 13 July 2014 14.92[84] BBC One2
2015 The Great British Bake Off 7 October 2015 15.06[84] BBC One
2016 Sherlock: "The Abominable Bride" 1 January 2016 11.64[84] BBC One
Notes
  • ^1 – The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (29 April 2011) received a total audience peak of 26 million viewers, but this is a combined figure aggregated from the ten different channels that broadcast the ceremony. The highest figures of these were 13.59 million on BBC One, followed by 4.02 million watching on ITV.
  • ^2 – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Final was broadcast by both BBC One and ITV. The highest figures were 14.92 million on BBC One, followed by 2.34 million on ITV.

United States

Further information: List of most watched television broadcasts in the United States

NBC's live telecast of Super Bowl XLIX currently stands as the country's most watched single television broadcast, with 114.4 million viewers.[85] During this broadcast, the halftime show featuring Katy Perry was watched by 118.5 million viewers.[85] The broadcast also reached a current all-time high of 168-million viewership mark in several portions of the conclusion of the 1 February 2015 Super Bowl telecast. The previous live telecast of Super Bowl XLV in February 2011 helped Fox become the first ever 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.[86] Moreover, Super Bowl telecasts account for 23 of the most watched television broadcasts based on overall viewership in U.S. television history.[87] 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 60% of the maintained 2010s U.S. population of 320 million).

Most watched series finales – Top 15 list

The finale is not necessarily a show's most watched episode. Notable examples include NBC's Friends, which had almost 53 million viewers for a 1996 episode[88] (the country's highest rated post-Super Bowl TV series episode, watched by more than 46% of the total U.S. television viewers for that year) that followed the Super Bowl XXX live broadcast of that network, and is more than the 2004 series finale had (52.5 million viewers), and CBS' Dallas, viewed by more than 90 million American viewers after the network's 21 November 1980 primetime telecast of the resolution episode[89][90] of the internationally known 'Who Shot J.R.' cliffhanger[91] (the second highest rated single television broadcast in U.S. history, watched by 53.3% of American households and more than 76% of the total U.S. television viewers for that year), almost thrice as many viewers as there were for the 1991 series finale (33.3 million viewers).

The highest rated single television broadcast in U.S. history is the 150-minute long final episode[92] of M*A*S*H*[93] (the country's first ever and, to date only, regular primetime television series to be watched by more than 100 million American viewers for an episode), transmitted on primetime by CBS on February 28, 1983, viewed at a peak conclusion by 125 million American viewers (or 60.2% of American households and at least 77% of the total U.S. television viewers). When TV miniseries are taken into the Nielsen tallies, ABC's Roots posted the second most watched series finale in U.S. history, watched on January 30, 1977, by 100 million viewers (51.1% of American households and more than 71% of the total U.S. television viewers that year), but attracted the largest viewership for any type of primetime television series in U.S. history – a record currently standing at between 130 million and 140 million[94][95] American viewers for its 8-part installment in January 1977 (peaking up to 80% of the total U.S. television viewers in 1977).

CBS' Everybody Loves Raymond bumped the syndicated series Star Trek: The Next Generation out of the Top 15 Nielsen tally of the all-time most watched U.S. TV series finales in May 2005, but the latter remains the most watched of all syndicated programs in U.S. history. NBC aired 2 of the top 5 all-time most watched overall U.S. television series finales to date (both of sitcom genre, behind the 1983 M.A.S.H. and 1977 Roots respective final episodes, and also sandwiching the peak rating record of the August 1967, final broadcast of ABC's The Fugitive) – the May 21, 1993, broadcast of the series finale[96][97] of Cheers (the country's second highest rated regular, and third overall, series finale on U.S. television, watched by almost 93.5 million American viewers – almost 46% of American households and more than 64% of the total U.S. television viewers that year), and the primetime telecast of the final episode[98] of Seinfeld on May 14, 1998. Take note that the gap of the viewerships between these and each of the series finales (on May 6 and 13, 2004) of fellow NBC sitcoms Friends and Frasier (which is part of the long highly regarded 'Must See TV'[99] tagline for Thursday primetime schedule of NBC from 1982 to 2004) fall between 15 million and 20 million viewers.

Rank Title Episode Number of viewers
(in millions)		 Household share Audience share Date Network
1 M*A*S*H "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" 125.0[a][103] 60.2% 77% Feb 28, 1983 CBS
2 Roots (miniseries) "Part VIII" 100.0[103] 51.1% 71% Jan 30, 1977 ABC
3 Cheers "One for the Road" 93.5[a][104] 45.5% 64%[101] May 20, 1993 NBC
4 The Fugitive "The Judgment" Part 2 78.0 45.9% 72% Aug 29, 1967 ABC
5 Seinfeld "The Finale" 76.3[104] 41.3% 58% May 14, 1998 NBC
6 Friends "The Last One" 52.5[104][105] 29.8% 43% May 6, 2004 NBC
7 Magnum, P.I. "Resolutions" 50.7 32.0% 48% May 8, 1988 CBS
8 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Finale of Carson-hosting era 50.0[104] 30.0% 46% May 22, 1992 NBC
9 The Cosby Show "And So We Commence" 44.4[104] 28.0% 45% 30 April 1992
10 All in the Family "Too Good Edith" 40.2[104][106] 26.6% 43% April 8, 1979 CBS
11 Family Ties "Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore" 36.3 20.8% 35% May 14, 1989 NBC
12 Home Improvement "The Long and Winding Road" 35.5[107] 21.6%[108] 43%[107] May 25, 1999 ABC
13 Frasier "Goodnight, Seattle" 35.2[1] [2] 16.3% 25% May 13, 2004 NBC
14 Dallas "Conundrum" 33.3 22.0% 38% May 3, 1991 CBS
15 Everybody Loves Raymond "The Finale" 32.9[105] 20.2% 29% May 16, 2005 CBS
  1. ^ a b The number of viewers for M*A*S*H (105.9 million) and Cheers (84.4 million) are the numbers most commonly reported. M*A*S*H has also been reported at 121.6 million viewers and Cheers has been reported at 93.5 million viewers.[100][101] For Cheers and M*A*S*H, 93.5 million and 121.6 million represent the total audience who watched at least six minutes and the 84.4 million and 105.9 million represent the viewers who watched the average minute. As previously mentioned, 125 million represents the total audience that tuned into the last 5 minutes of the series finale of M.A.S.H. during its primetime telecast.[102] Regular episodes of M*A*S*H were thirty minutes long, but the final episode aired as a television movie and was two hours and thirty minutes long.

Most watched series episode of the decade

This table lists the most watched overall television episode for every decade in the United States, as tallied by the Nielsen Media Research since the 1950–51 television season. Take note that the audience share category of the Nielsen ratings only began in the 1959–60 television season.

Decade Title Episode Number of viewers
(in millions)		 Household share Audience share Date Network
1950s The Ed Sullivan Show Special guesting of Elvis Presley 60.0 82.6% 71% Sep 9, 1956 CBS
1960s The Fugitive "The Judgment" Part 2 78.0 45.9% 72% Aug 29, 1967 ABC
1970s Roots (miniseries) "Part VIII" 100.0[103] 51.1% 71% Jan 30, 1977 ABC
1980s M*A*S*H "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" 125.0[103] 60.2% 77% Feb 28, 1983 CBS
1990s Cheers "One for the Road" 93.5[104] 45.5% 64%[101] May 20, 1993 NBC
2000s Friends "The Last One" 52.5[104][105] 29.8% 43% May 6, 2004 NBC
2010s Undercover Boss "Waste Management, Inc" (Series Premiere) 38.7 26.1% 32% Feb 7, 2010 CBS

Most watched series per year

This table lists all the TV shows with the highest average household Nielsen rating for each television season in the United States.[109][110][111][112][113]

Fox's American Idol holds the record for most consecutive (and overall total) seasons at No. 1, with eight. It is also the first ever television series of reality singing competition genre (and Fox's first ever television program) to take the top position in the Nielsen annual primetime television ratings. Take note, however, that American Idol usually airs two live episodes a week for its finals stage (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from its inception in 2002 to 2010, and Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2011 and 2014); for the 2003–2004 season, only the Tuesday (or competition stage) show was ranked No. 1, and for that television season, American Idol as a whole placed second (potentially giving the top spot to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation from CBS, if the ratings of American Idol for that year had been summarized as only 1 day-per-week broadcast format). From 2005 to 2011, the whole show was No. 1 for only seven consecutive (and overall total) seasons, but still ranked No.1 overall in the 18–49 demographic for eight consecutive seasons.[114]

CBS's All in the Family and NBC's The Cosby Show share second place, ranked No. 1 overall each for 5 consecutive (and overall total) seasons, from 1972 to 1976, and 1986 to 1990, respectively. If the total number of seasons of Nielsen No.1-leads are counted, CBS's 60 Minutes also share second place, and to date is the only primetime program to lead the Nielsen primetime ratings in 3 separate decades – 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s, and together with NBC's ER and Friends, remained the latest primetime programs in the United States of television news, medical drama and sitcom genres to rank first in the Nielsen annual ratings, back in 1994, 1999 and 2002, respectively. NBC's Seinfeld remained as the latest television series to rank first overall in the Nielsen annual television ratings during the final season, back in 1998. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? remains the latest primetime program from ABC to lead the Nielsen annual primetime television ratings, back in 2000. Meanwhile, NBC's Sunday Night Football debuted in 2012 as the country's first ever regular primetime sports program to rank No.1 in the Nielsen annual primetime television ratings. Take note, however, that the final annual-high Nielsen household share ratings starting the 2007–08 season incorporate both the standard live primetime and time-shifted or delayed DVR viewership figures in the United States only.[115]

  The program with the all-time highest annual Nielsen average rating
  Two or more programs tie for highest average Nielsen rating in the same season
  The program with the all-time longest consecutive season winning streak in Nielsen ratings

Season Program Network Rating
1950–1951 Texaco Star Theater NBC 61.6
1951–1952 Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts CBS 53.8
1952–1953 I Love Lucy 67.3
1953–1954 58.8
1954–1955 49.3
1955–1956 The $64,000 Question 47.5
1956–1957 I Love Lucy 43.7
1957–1958 Gunsmoke 43.1
1958–1959 39.6
1959–1960 40.3
1960–1961 37.3
1961–1962 Wagon Train NBC 32.1
1962–1963 The Beverly Hillbillies CBS 36.0
1963–1964 39.1
1964–1965 Bonanza NBC 36.3
1965–1966 31.8
1966–1967 29.1
1967–1968 The Andy Griffith Show CBS 27.6
1968–1969 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In NBC 31.8
1969–1970 26.3
1970–1971 Marcus Welby, M.D. ABC 29.6
1971–1972 All in the Family CBS 34.0
1972–1973 33.3
1973–1974 31.2
1974–1975 30.2
1975–1976 30.1
1976–1977 Happy Days ABC 31.5
1977–1978 Laverne & Shirley 31.6
1978–1979 30.5
1979–1980 60 Minutes CBS 28.4
1980–1981 Dallas 34.5
1981–1982 28.4
1982–1983 60 Minutes 25.5
1983–1984 Dallas 25.7
1984–1985 Dynasty ABC 25.0
1985–1986 The Cosby Show NBC 33.7
1986–1987 34.9
1987–1988 27.8
1988–1989 25.6
1989–1990 Roseanne ABC 23.1
The Cosby Show NBC
1990–1991 Cheers 21.3
1991–1992 60 Minutes CBS 21.9
1992–1993
1993–1994 20.9
1994–1995 Seinfeld NBC 20.6
1995–1996 ER 22.0
1996–1997 21.2
1997–1998 Seinfeld 21.7
1998–1999 ER 17.8
1999–2000 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Tuesdays ABC 18.6
2000–2001 Survivor: The Australian Outback CBS 17.4
2001–2002 Friends NBC 15.3
2002–2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS 16.3
2003–2004 American Idol – Tuesdays (Competition) Fox 14.2
2004–2005 American Idol – Overall Season 15.2
2005–2006 17.6
2006–2007 17.3
2007–2008 16.9
2008–2009 15.7
2009–2010 13.9
2010–2011 14.8
2011–2012 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 13.1
2012–2013 NCIS CBS 12.7
2013–2014 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 12.8
2014–2015 12.9

Longest dominating series of the decade

This table lists the primetime television series with the most number of seasons of No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings for every decade in the United States, as tallied by the Nielsen Media Research since the 1950–1951 television season. Only the Nielsen household share will be shown in the following table.

Decade Series Peak season household share Debut season at Nielsen No. 1 End season at Nielsen No. 1 Total number of seasons at No. 1 Network
1950s I Love Lucy 67.3 (1952–1953) 1952–1953 1956–1957 4 CBS
1960s Gunsmoke 43.1 (1957–1958) 1957–1958 1960–1961
1970s All in the Family 34.0 (1971–1972) 1971–1972 1975–1976 5
1980s The Cosby Show 34.9 (1986–1987) 1985–1986 1989–1990 NBC
1990s 60 Minutes 28.4 (1979–1980) 1979–1980 1993–1994 CBS
2000s American Idol 17.6 (2005–2006) 2003–2004 2010–2011 8 Fox
2010s NBC Sunday Night Football 13.1 (2011–2012) 2011–2012 2014–2015 3 NBC

References

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  113. ^ "America's Most Watched: The Top 50 Shows of the 2013-2014 TV Season". 6 June 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  114. ^ "5 reasons 'American Idol' may go on nearly forever—or not". USA Today. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  115. ^ Walker, Tim (20 March 2015). "Fox has created its own TV Empire - now everyone wants a piece of it". London: The Independent. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
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