England’s Defeat to Italy Sets Benchmark for Most Watched TV Show in UK for 2014

England’s opening World Cup defeat against Italy peaked at 15.39 million (76.4%) on Saturday night and averaged the most for a TV show during the year.

Viewing figures for the game were at its highest at around 11.30pm during the first half, which saw England’s Daniel Sturridge cancel out Claudio Marchisio’s long-range goal.

BBC One’s coverage of England vs Italy – ending in a defeat for the Three Lions as Mario Balotelli clinched a headed winner early in the second half – averaged 11.51 million (68.4%) between 10.20pm and 1.30am.

12.08m (83.6%) were still around at 12.45am, during the match’s final few minutes.

The game averaged 14.4 million viewers making it the most watched TV show of 2014.