A peak audience of 16.3 million people tuned in to watch England’s dramatic win over DR Congo in the World Cup on Wednesday.
The 17:00 BST kick-off was watched on average by 14 million people on BBC TV, the most watched moment on the BBC this year.
There was an additional 10.4m streams on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to bring England back from the brink of an early exit after DR Congo went in front in the seventh minute.
The live coverage page was viewed more than 20m times globally, including 14m in the UK, making it the biggest day on the BBC Sport website and app since the last World Cup.
England will face Mexico in the last 16 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Monday.
That game is scheduled for 01:00 BST and will be live on BBC One, radio and online.
England’s World Cup group games against Croatia and Ghana kicked off at 21:00 while the Panama game was at 22:00.
The Croatia opener (15.4m peak) and win over Panama (13.76m peak) was shown on ITV, while the draw with Ghana attracted a peak audience of 15.4m on the BBC, plus 8.3m requests on the BBC Sport app and BBC iPlayer.
“These are extraordinary audience figures that show the BBC is the place the nation comes together for the biggest sporting moments,” said BBC Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski.
“We’re proud to be delivering the moments that matter to audiences wherever and however they choose to follow the tournament, as England’s World Cup journey continues.”
The World Cup accounted for more than a third (34%) of all hours streamed on BBC iPlayer during the final week of the group stage.
Football Daily’s visualised podcast is also proving a major hit with fans, generating more than two million streams during the group stages. And across social media, BBC Sport has generated 889m video views during the tournament so far.
The Mexico match will be the Three Lions’ first overnight game of the tournament for UK viewers.
It presents an issue for England’s young fans, with parents debating how best to follow the game on what will be a school night for many children.
Thomas Tuchel was asked about the dilemma after England’s win, with the head coach responding: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.
“There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”
Source:
www.bbc.co.uk
