The Queen’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey drew an estimated 26 million viewers across multiple British networks, glamsquad reports
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Her Majesty’s farewell on Monday came after a record 70 years as the Commonwealth’s head of state, and it was broadcast live on a variety of networks, including BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC News; ITV, along with ITV2, ITV3, and ITV4; and Sky News and Sky Sports.
According to overnight figures released by the research organization Barb, 26.2 million people attended her memorial service in Westminster Abbey in Britain. However, this does not account for streaming or the millions who watched from pubs and screens set up in public spaces across the country, so the final figure could be higher.
It is also estimated that 4.1 billion people worldwide watched footage of the Queen’s funeral, surpassing Live Aid 1985 and Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981.
On BBC One, the audience peaked at 12.25pm, as her coffin made its way out of Westminster Abbey, with 20 million people watching across the over 50 channels that broadcast the service.
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Ahead of the historic event, industry experts predicted that 4.1 billion people would tune in to watch the broadcast.
This would break the previous record of 3.5 billion people who reportedly watched boxing legend Muhammad Ali open the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
If their predictions are correct, the Queen’s state funeral will break all previous broadcasting records, including the Live8 concerts in 2005, Sydney’s New Year’s Eve firework displays in 2010, and Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding.
‘Such is the love and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II around the world that her funeral is destined to be the biggest live TV event in history,’ said Carolina Beltramo, TV analyst at WatchTVAbroad.com.
‘Generations of people around the world will not remember the last time pomp and pageantry were seen on this scale.
‘While it is a sad occasion, they can be excused for being captivated by a spectacle that has echoed throughout history.’ For that reason alone, billions will flock to see the dawn of this new era.
‘On Monday, 4.1 billion people are expected to tune in to witness this historic moment as half of the world pauses to pay their respects.’
‘Because of technological advances that allow most of us to carry TVs in our pockets, audience figures will surpass the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics, when 3.6 billion people watched Muhammad Ali light the Olympic torch in 1996.’
‘By comparison, an estimated 2.5 billion people watched Diana, Princess of Wales’ service 25 years ago, with 31 million Brits tuning in.’