The BBC have declared victory over ITV in the World Cup ratings war – despite a difficult start to the tournament.
Daily Mail Sport understands the BBC’s peak audience share advantage during the World Cup final – where Spain were crowned champions – was 4 times greater than ITV’s, while its average audience share advantage was 4.06 times greater.
By comparison, the BBC’s lead over ITV’s viewership in the 2022 World Cup final was 3.25 times higher for peak audience share and 3.4 times higher for average audience share.
The Beeb annihilated ITV’s coverage of the final, increasing the gap between themselves and ITV from the previous World Cup.
Last night’s final attracted a peak audience of 15.8million across BBC One and BBC iPlayer – giving the BBC 64% share of all TV viewing.
The BBC ditched their work-from-home studio in Salford for the World Cup final, presenting from inside the stadium
An average audience of 13.9 million tuned in across the BBC’s coverage live from inside MetLife Stadium.
Meanwhile, ITV covered the game from their New York studio with the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.
The BBC did not send a studio panel to the States until the semi-final, with Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards spending less than a week in the country.
Instead, they spent the first four weeks in Salford as part of cost-cutting measures to save licence payers’ money.
Rather than having a swanky US studio – like ITV had – the BBC used an LED backdrop to display the skyline of whichever host city is staging the live match.
They claim their distant coverage has saved millions as part of Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski’s cost-saving drive.
As a result, ITV had initial success in the ratings war. But for the business end of the tournament, the BBC reigned supreme.
On BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app, the final was streamed 11.1 million times.
Elsewhere, the BBC also enjoyed a bump to their tournament viewership with exclusive rights for England’s exhilarating 10-goal bronze medal match against France.
An average audience of 10.8 million tuned in as the Three Lions secured their best finish in a World Cup since 1966.
Across the whole tournament, the BBC saw an overall reach of 42.8 million across TV viewing, while audiences streamed World Cup matches 237 million times on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app – more than double the 2022 World Cup.
