This page is here to list the television broadcasts which had the most viewers within individual countries, as measured by ratings and research agencies in those countries. The research methodology and choice of statistics varies between sources, and is explained in individual sections.

Many events are watched simultaneously around the world, and recorded programs exported to multiple countries, but it is difficult to collate reliable figures for global audiences. Those countries where reliable figures are available may use incompatible methodologies, such as the minimum age of counted viewers, and what proportion of the program must be watched when measuring the "reach" of a program, rather than its average or peak audience.[1] Figures published by organisers and journalists are routinely exaggerated or misrepresented, claiming billions of viewers worldwide, where independent analysis suggests few if any broadcasts have reached 1 billion viewers.[2][3]

Although numbers are unreliable, it is generally accepted that the most widely watched events worldwide are international sporting events such as the Summer Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup,[3] with annual events such as the Super Bowl in the U.S., and the UEFA Champions League finals in Europe picking up large regional audiences.[4] Record-breaking audiences are also claimed for news events such as the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing,[5][6] and music events such as the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert.[7]

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.[8]

RankShowDateNetwork
12023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final, Australia vs England2023Seven Network, Optus Sport
2Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II2022ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
32023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final, Australia vs France2023Seven Network, Optus Sport
4Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer1981ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
52000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony2000Seven Network
62000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony2000Seven Network
7Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton2011ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network
81984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony1984Ten Network
9The World of The Seekers1968Ten Network
10Boxing: Lionel Rose v Alan Rudkin1964Seven Network

Note: the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, 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.[9][10] 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.

RankShowNumber of viewersRatingsYearNetwork
12023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final, Australia vs England7.13 million[11][lower-alpha 1]-2023Seven Network, Optus Sport
2Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton6.0 million–2011ABC, Network 7, Network 9, Network Ten, 7Two[12]
32023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final, Australia vs France4.17 million[13][lower-alpha 2]-2023Seven Network, Optus Sport
4Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle4.09 Million–2018Seven Network, Nine Network, ABC, SBS, BBC UKTV, Sky News Live
52005 Australian Open – Men's singles final4.043 Million29.32005Seven Network
6MasterChef Australia (season 2) – finale challenge4.029 Million27.12010Network Ten
72003 Rugby World Cup final4.016 Million29.72003Seven Network
8MasterChef Australia (season 1) – finale challenge3.726 Million25.62009Network Ten
92006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony3.561 Million25.52006Nine Network
102005 AFL Grand Final (Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles)3.386 Million24.52005Network Ten

Brazil

RankShowEpisodeRatingShareDateChannelContentSource(s)
1Roque SanteiroEpisode 20996100%22 February 1986TV GloboTelenovela[14][15]
Selva de PedraEpisode 152—100%4 October 1972TV GloboTelenovela[16]
3TietaEpisode 19678—27 March 1990TV GloboTelenovela[17]
4State funeral of Ayrton SennaDeath of Ayrton Senna75100%4 May 1994 5 May 1994TV Cultura, SBT, TV Globo, Record, Manchete, TV Gazeta and Rede BandeirantesMotorsport[18]
51998 FIFA World CupBrazil vs. Netherlands (semi-final)73—7 July 1998SBT, TV Globo, Manchete and Rede BandeirantesAssociation football[19]
62002 FIFA World CupBrazil vs. Turkey (semi-final)71—26 June 2002TV GloboAssociation football[16][20]
7AméricaEpisode 2036882%4 November 2005TV GloboTelenovela
82002 FIFA World CupGermany vs. Brazil (final)6791%30 June 2002TV GloboAssociation football[23]

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.[24] A groundbreaking 26.5 million Canadians watched some part of the game, over 80 percent of the country's 34-million-person population.[25] According to multiple sources, 13.3 million Canadians watched the games' opening ceremony, which was the previous record.[26]

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.[27]

China

China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala has regularly attracted between 700 million[28] to 1.17 billion viewers annually.[29][30]

The CCTV's main evening news broadcast Xinwen Lianbo has a daily audience of around 135 million people,[31] 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.[31]

The Legend of Bruce Lee (2008), based on the life of Bruce Lee, has been watched by over 400 million viewers in China, making it the most-watched Chinese television drama series of all time, as of 2017.[32][33]

A Chinese boxer Zou Shiming's professional boxing debut on 6 April 2013 generated an estimated 300 million viewers.[34][35][36] Another professional boxer Qiu Xiaojun attracted around 200 million people for his fight against Ghanaian fighter Raymond Commey on 12 February 2016.[37][38]

Denmark

The following are the ten most watched programs from 1992 onwards.[39]

RankShow ViewersDateChannel
1Krøniken - Episode 10 2,714,0002004DR1
2Eurovision Song Contest 2001 2,667,0002001DR1
3The Last Exploits of the Olsen Gang 2,658,0001995TV2
4UEFA Euro 1992 semi-final: Denmark vs Netherlands 2,657,0001992TV2
5UEFA Euro 1992 final: Denmark vs Germany 2,632,0001992TV2
61994 FIFA World Cup qualification: Denmark vs Spain 2,547,0001993DR1
7Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 1992 2,506,0001992DR1
8The Girl and the Press Photographer 2,422,0001992TV2
91998 FIFA World Cup quarter-final: Denmark vs Brazil 2,390,0001998DR1
10UEFA Euro 2012 Group Stage: Denmark vs Germany 2,378,0002012DR1

France

Rank Event Viewers Share Date Network
1Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the COVID-19 pandemic36,730,00094.5%[40][41]13 April 2020TF1, France 2, France 3, Canal+, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
235,300,00096.1%[42]16 March 2020TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
332,700,00093.6%[42]28 October 2020TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, TMC, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
42018 FIFA World Cup final: France vs Croatia26,200,000—15 July 2018TF1, BeIN Sports
5Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the COVID-19 pandemic24,600,00087%12 March 2020TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, C8, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo, L'Equipe
61998 FIFA World Cup final: Brazil vs France23,647,00088.4%12 July 1998TF1, Canal+
7Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the COVID-19 pandemic23,610,00085,6%14 June 2020TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
8Speech of the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the Yellow vests movement23,000,00081,4%10 December 2018TF1, France 2, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
9Speech of the French President François Hollande in response to the Charlie Hebdo shooting22,400,000—13 November 2015TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo
10UEFA Euro 2016 Final: Portugal vs France22,292,00072.9%10 July 2016M6, BeIN Sports

Germany

RankShowEpisodeNumber of viewersShareDateNetwork
12014 FIFA World CupGermany vs Argentina (final)34,650,00086.3%13 July 2014Das Erste
22014 FIFA World CupBrazil vs Germany (semi-final)32,570,00087.8%8 July 2014ZDF
32010 FIFA World CupGermany vs Spain (semi-final)31,100,000 1, 483.2%7 July 2010Das Erste
4UEFA Euro 2016Germany vs France (semi-final)29,820,00080.6%7 July 2016ZDF
52006 FIFA World CupGermany vs Italy (semi-final)29,660,000 1, 2, 384.1%4 July 2006ZDF
6UEFA Euro 2008Germany vs Turkey (semi-final)29,460,00081.6%25 June 2008ZDF
72010 FIFA World CupGhana vs. Germany (group game)29,190,000 1, 4 79.7%23 June 2010Das Erste
81990 FIFA World CupWest Germany vs Argentina (final)28,660,00087.9%9 July 1990Das Erste
9UEFA Euro 1996Germany vs Czech Republic (final)28,440,00076.3%30 June 1996ZDF
10UEFA Euro 2016Germany vs Italy (quarter-final)28,320,00079.8%2 July 2016Das Erste
Notes:
  1. Public viewing areas were not included in these ratings.
  2. The approximated rating is about 60 to 70 million.[43]
  3. The extra time period reached 31.31 million viewers.[44]
  4. Summary of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ratings.
  5. Summary of the UEFA Euro 2008 ratings.
  6. 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.[45]

Italy

ShowViewersDateChannelRef.(s)
Madonna in Concerto30—35 million1987Rai 1[46]

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 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. In the 2000s, the most watched show in India was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000-2008) which garnered double digit ratings for 6 years on StarPlus. The most-watched channel for years has been StarPlus, 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.[47]

Aamir Khan's talk show Satyamev Jayate (2012–2014) drew an estimated audience of 600 million viewers in India.[48] 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.[49]

RankShowTVR(mn impressions)Network
1Ramayan (1987 TV series) (Laxman vs Meghnath yudh)77Doordarshan
2Luv Kush (finale)67.10Doordarshan
32018 Indian Premier League final55.6[50]Star Network
4Mahabharat (1988 TV series)22.9Doordarshan
5Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi22.4StarPlus
6Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin9.2Sony TV India
7Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai8.4StarPlus
8Diya Aur Baati Hum7.7StarPlus
9Pavitra Rishta7.3Zee TV
10Jai Jai Jai Bajrang Bali7.2Sahara One

Most viewed broadcasts

RankShowEpisodeViewership(millions)DateNetwork
12011 Cricket World CupSri Lanka vs India (final)340[51]2 April 2011Star Sports Network
22015 Cricket World CupAustralia vs India (semi-final)309[52]26 March 2015Star Sports
32023 Cricket World CupIndia vs Australia (final)300[53]19 November 2023Star Sports
42015 Cricket World CupIndia vs Pakistan (group stage match)288[52]15 February 2015Star Sports
52019 Cricket World CupIndia vs Pakistan (group stage match)273[54]16 June 2019Star Sports
62015 Cricket World CupWest Indies vs India (group stage match)262[52]6 March 2015Star Sports
72015 Cricket World CupIndia vs South Africa (group stage match)257[52]22 February 2015Star Sports
82015 Cricket World CupIndia vs Bangladesh (quarter-final)251[52]19 March 2015Star Sports
92015 Cricket World CupZimbabwe vs India (group stage match)205[52]14 March 2015Star Sports
102017 ICC Champions TrophyIndia vs Pakistan (group stage match)201[55]4 June 2017Star 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.[56]

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.[57]

No. Show Household Rating Date Network
1 Chibi Maruko-chan 39.9%[58][59] 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

The following is a list of the most-watched films of all time on Nippon TV (NTV), as of June 2007.[60]

Rank Film Rating Airing date
1 Spirited Away 46.9% 2003-01-24
2 Princess Mononoke 35.1% 1999-01-22
3 Howl's Moving Castle 32.9% 2006-07-21
4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 30.8% 2004-06-25
5 Tsuribaka Nisshi 4 28.4% 1994-02-04
6 Tsuribaka Nisshi 6 28.3% 1994-12-23
7 Tsuribaka Nisshi 2 27.7% 1995-01-13
8 Tora-san's Forbidden Love 27.6% 1996-08-09
9 Shall We Dance? 27.4% 1997-03-28
10 Tsuribaka Nisshi 5 27.1% 1994-09-16

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.

Netherlands

Since 2002 Stichting KijkOnderzoek is keeping track of viewership of Dutch television channels.[61] All programs with a viewership over 7 million since the start of tracking are shown in the table below.

RankShowEpisodeNumber of viewersDateNetwork
12014 FIFA World CupNetherlands vs Argentina (semi-final)9,058,0009 July 2014NPO 1
22014 FIFA World CupNetherlands vs Mexico (round of 16)8,738,00029 June 2014NPO 1
32010 FIFA World CupNetherlands vs Spain (final)8,513,00011 July 2010Nederland 1
4UEFA Euro 2004Portugal vs Netherlands (semi-final)8,512,00030 June 2004Nederland 2
52010 FIFA World CupUruguay vs Netherlands (semi-final)8,501,0006 July 2010NPO 1
62006 FIFA World CupPortugal vs Netherlands (round of 16)8,252,00025 June 2006Nederland 2
7Press Conference by Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the COVID-19 pandemic8,179,00013 October 2020NPO 1, RTL 4
82014 FIFA World CupNetherlands vs Chile (group stage)8,098,00023 June 2014NPO 1
9UEFA Euro 2012Portugal vs Netherlands (group stage)7,993,00017 June 2012Nederland 1
10UEFA Euro 2012Netherlands vs Germany (group stage)7,984,00013 June 2012Nederland 1

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.[62]

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

No. Show Viewship Date Network
1 2011 Rugby World Cup final (NZ v France) 2,036,900 23 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
2 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final (NZ v Australia) 2,024,000 16 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
3 2011 Rugby World Cup opening game (NZ v Tonga) 1,930,000 9 September 2011 TV 1, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
4 Boxing: Lennox Lewis vs. David Tua World Title Defence 1,841,230 12 November 2000 TV 3
5 One News special – Death of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,703,310 31 August 1997 TV 1
6 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1,654,310 15 September 2000 TV 1
7 One News special – Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,649,710 6 September 1997 TV 1
8 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final (NZ v Argentina) 1,624,400 9 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV
9 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

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)[63][64][65]
RankNetworkProgramYearRating
1ABS-CBNThe Battle: Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales200683.5%
2ABS-CBNRosalinda199969.8%
3ABS-CBNEsperanza199767.0%
4ABS-CBNPangako Sa 'Yo200264.9%
5ABS-CBNMeteor Garden200363.8%
6ABS-CBNMiss Universe 1994199462.5%
7RPNMarimar199661.7%
8ABS-CBNMaría Mercedes199659.7%
9RPNMiss Universe 1999199958.4%
10GMABubble Gang199757.6%

Poland

List of the 10 most-watched television broadcasts since the beginning of telemetry research in Poland (since 1997) by Nielsen Media Research:[66][67][68][69][70][71][72]

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

[73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84]

RankShowEpisodeRatingShareDateChannel
1UEFA Euro 2020Belgium vs Portugal (round of 16)40.269.9%27 June 2021TVI
2UEFA Euro 2004Portugal vs Netherlands (semi-final)40.185.4%30 June 2004RTP1
3UEFA Euro 2012Portugal vs Spain (semi-final)39.576.0%27 June 2012SIC
42022 FIFA World CupPortugal vs Switzerland (round of 16)39.168.4%6 December 2022RTP1
5UEFA Euro 2004Portugal vs England (quarter-final)39.085.1%24 June 2004RTP1
6UEFA Euro 2016Portugal vs Wales (semi-final)38.475.4%6 July 2016RTP1
7UEFA Euro 2016Portugal vs France (final)38.278.1%10 July 2016RTP1
8UEFA Euro 2012Portugal vs Netherlands (group stage match)38.173.4%17 June 2012TVI
92022 FIFA World CupPortugal vs Uruguay (group stage match)3866%28 November 2022RTP1
102014 FIFA World CupUnited States vs Portugal (group stage match)37.875.4%22 June 2014RTP1

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%.[85]

Top 10 most-watched South Korean dramas since 1992 (AGB Nielsen tallies)
#DramaChannelViewershipDate
1First LoveKBS265.8%20 April 1997
2Was It Love?MBC64.9%24 May 1992
3SandglassSBS64.5%6 February 1995
4Hur JunMBC63.7%27 June 2000
5ASunny Place of the YoungKBS262.7%12 November 1995
6You and IMBC62.4%12 April 1998
7Son and DaughterMBC61.1%21 March 1993
8Taejo Wang GeonKBS160.2%20 May 2001
9Eyes of DawnMBC58.4%6 February 1992
10Dae Jang GeumMBC57.8%23 March 2004

Sweden

Statistics from Mediamätning Skandinavien[86]

Most-watched programmes per year

Year Programme Date Number of viewers (millions) Network
1983Eurovision Song Contest 198323 April6.1SVT1
2000Melodifestivalen 200010 March4.175SVT2
2001Melodifestivalen 200123 February3.84SVT1
2002Melodifestivalen 20021 March3.72SVT1
2003Melodifestivalen 200315 March3.815SVT1
2004Melodifestivalen 200420 March4.105SVT1
2005Melodifestivalen 200512 March4.055SVT1
2006Melodifestivalen 200618 March4.240SVT1
2007Melodifestivalen 200710 March3.975SVT1
2008Melodifestivalen 200815 March4.045SVT1
2009Melodifestivalen 200914 March3.59SVT1
2010Melodifestivalen 201013 March3.87SVT1
2011Melodifestivalen 201112 March3.67SVT1
2012Melodifestivalen 201210 March4.11SVT1
2013Melodifestivalen 20139 March4.15SVT1
2014Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar god jul24 December3.705SVT1
2018Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar god jul24 December3.786SVT1
2019Melodifestivalen 201914 March3.652SVT1

Most-watched sport events per year

Year Programme Date Number of viewers (millions) Network
2000UEFA Euro 2000 final (FRA–ITA)2 July2.34SVT2
20012001 World Men's Handball Championship final (FRA–SWE)4 February2.635TV4
20022002 European Men's Handball Championship final (SWE–GER)3 February3.06TV4
20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup final (GER–SWE)12 October3.525TV4
2004UEFA Euro 2004 (SWE–DEN)22 June3.796TV4
20052005 World Championships in Athletics7 August4.055TV4
20062006 Men's Olympic Ice Hockey final (SWE–FIN)26 February3.52SVT2
2007FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2007 – Women's slalom16 February2.23SVT1
2008UEFA Euro 2008 (GRE–SWE)10 June3.03TV4
20092010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1 (DEN–SWE)10 October1.805Kanal 5
20102010 FIFA World Cup final (NED–ESP)11 July2.66SVT1
20112011 IIHF World Championship final (SWE–FIN)15 May2.035TV3
2012UEFA Euro 2012 (UKR–SWE)11 June2.94SVT1
20132013 IIHF World Championship final (SWE–SUI)19 May2.915TV4
20142014 FIFA World Cup (GER–ARG)13 July2.810TV4
2015FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 20151 May2.272SVT1

United Kingdom

United States

Though the Apollo 11 Moon landing is the most watched television event in American history, it is considered a news event, meaning that Fox's live telecast of Super Bowl LVII in 2023 holds the record for the largest average viewership of any live single-network U.S. television broadcast, with 115.1 million viewers.[87][88] During this broadcast, the halftime show was watched by 118.7 million viewers.[89] Super Bowl XLV's live broadcast 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.[90] Moreover, Super Bowl telecasts account for 22 of the most-watched television broadcasts based on overall viewership in U.S. television history.[91] Fox's live telecast of Super Bowl LI in 2017 currently holds the largest total viewership (those who watched any part of the broadcast) in U.S. television history, with 172 million viewers.[92]

Most-watched broadcasts

     Denotes news event      Denotes primetime program      Denotes non-football related sports event

Rank Broadcast Average viewers Date Network(s)
1 Apollo 11 Moon landing 125–150[93][94][95] 20 July 1969 multiple
2 Super Bowl LVII 115.1 12 February 2023 Fox
3 Super Bowl XLIX 114.4 1 February 2015 NBC
4 Super Bowl LVI 112.3 13 February 2022 NBC
5 Super Bowl XLVIII 112.2 2 February 2014 Fox
6 Super Bowl 50 111.9 7 February 2016 CBS
7 Super Bowl XLVI 111.3 5 February 2012 NBC
Super Bowl LI 5 February 2017 Fox
9 Super Bowl XLV 111.0 6 February 2011 Fox
10 Richard Nixon's resignation speech 110.0[94] 8 August 1974 multiple

Most-watched television interviews

Rank Interviewee Interviewer Average viewers Series Air date Network
1Michael JacksonOprah Winfrey62.30[96]"Michael Jackson Talks ... to Oprah"February 10, 1993ABC
2Monica LewinskyBarbara Walters48.54[97]20/20March 3, 1999ABC
3Richard NixonDavid Frost45.00[98]Nixon TalksMay 4, 1977CBS
4Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie PresleyDiane Sawyer37.50[99]Prime Time LiveJune 14, 1995ABC
5Bill and Hillary ClintonSteve Kroft34.00[100]60 MinutesJanuary 26, 1992CBS
6Stormy DanielsAnderson Cooper22.11[101]60 MinutesMarch 25, 2018CBS
7Barack ObamaMatt Lauer21.90[102]TodayFebruary 1, 2009NBC
8Whitney HoustonDiane Sawyer21.27[103]PrimetimeDecember 4, 2002ABC
9John and Patsy RamseyBarbara Walters19.60[104]20/20March 17, 2000ABC

Notes

  1. ↑ 6.9 million viewers watched on the Seven Network alone. The peak viewership was 11.15 million.[11]
  2. ↑ The peak viewership was 7.2 million.[13]

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. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  • Man Vs Wild Episode Featuring PM Modi Was ‘most Trending Televised Event’, Claims Bear Grylls
  • PM Narendra Modi's 'Man vs Wild' Stint With Bear Grylls Is Officially the Most-Watched Episode On TV

Citations

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